4 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers November / December 2021
Bertschi on the path to climate-neutral
Bertschi intermodal service on short rail distance of 70km between Terneuzen and Antwerp
The European Union ( EU ) passed the Green
Deal Plan in 2019 , aiming for a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gases from transport by 2050 . Well ahead of this target is Bertschi Group , with a leading position in sustainable intermodal transport , and further plans and initiatives in climate neutral technology . The transport sector accounts for 25 percent of European greenhouse gas emissions . In land freight transport , 99 percent of CO2 emissions come from trucks , and only 1 percent from rail , although the latter has a 20 percent market share . With its shift to rail , Bertschi is reducing its transport ’ s CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons a year , equivalent to the total emissions of a town of 70,000 inhabitants . “ Today , Bertschi already operates 90 percent of all European land transport in intermodal transport , and is therefore well ahead of the targeted development ,” says Jan Arnet , Bertschi Group CEO . “ Our intermodal transports passing through Switzerland already qualify as zero-emission , as trains that travel through Switzerland use electricity obtained exclusively from non-fossil sources ( hydro , solar , wind , and nuclear power ),” he adds . With new EU incentives for shifting from road to intermodal transport , an increasing number of customers are looking for environmentally friendly logistics . “ Thanks to Bertschi ’ s leading position in intermodal transport in Europe , this opens up interesting opportunities for us . But to take
Customers in the chemical industry are also increasingly focusing on climate targets for logistics
advantage of them will require major investments ,” says Hans-Jörg Bertschi , executive chairman . Bertschi is planning the construction and expansion of its intermodal transport terminals , with the extension of the Rotterdam Botlek and Duisburg terminals planned for this year , and further investments in the Benelux in the near future . Furthermore , Bertschi is increasing its focus on rail transport worldwide , including : trade with China via the Silk Road , in Russia , and in the US . The company is also optimising its internal infrastructure : a significant example is the Birrfeld
tank cleaning facility in Switzerland , where Bertschi has succeeded in reducing heating energy and CO2 emissions by two-thirds through investing in optimisations and heat recovery .
Hydrogen trucks
The company ’ s next climate objective is door-todoor transport chains with zero CO2 emissions , including intermodal pre- and on-carriage by road . Bertschi will rely on hydrogen technology with fuel cells : green hydrogen ( H2 ) generated with renewable energy sources enables the operation of trucks with zero CO2 emissions . The company is preparing for delivery of the first 40 / 44 ton H2 tractor units in approximately three years for a pilot project in Switzerland . After a successful pilot launch , an in-house hydrogen fuelling station shall be installed at the Birrfeld terminal , among others . The hydrogen will be generated through solar energy and hydropower electricity during surplus periods . Surplus electricity cannot be stored and must otherwise be ‘ destroyed ’. However , the energy from this electricity can be stored in hydrogen and reconverted back into electricity in the truck ’ s fuel cell to power the vehicle . “ So the first climate-neutral transport chains made by Bertschi could be a reality in the very near future ,” Arnet predicts . “ For consumer-focused customers , climate-neutral logistics is already an added-value proposition . And customers in the chemical industry are also increasingly focusing on climate targets for logistics .” Hans-Jörg Bertschi emphasises that the speed of this development will depend to a large extent on the framework conditions set by politicians over the next few years : “ We will not wait for politics , we are now already starting to anticipate the future . We believe that by doing so , we are not only doing something good for the climate and the environment , but also enhancing the company ’ s long term opportunity for succeeding in rapidly changing markets .”
www . bertschi . com
Reefer controls on polymerising substances
ITCO said in its September newsletter that it received reports that at least two ocean carriers have introduced a “ temporary ” requirement for refrigeration of stabilised polymerising substances . Until now , stabilised substances conforming to IMDG SP386 were exempt from refrigeration at temperatures up to 45degC . When exposed to high ambient heat over a prolonged period polymerising substances carry the risk self-polymerising generating large amounts of heat . A Hapag Lloyd advisory note stipulates acceptance of cargo with direct routing including inland pre-carriage / on-carriage . Any cargo with transhipments will be rejected , though this does not apply to cargo being transported in reefer containers . The carrier also requires mandatory temperature control ( reefer container ) for all goods with a selfaccelerating polymerising temperature ( SAPT ) equal to or below 65degC , and mandatory provision of date of product stabilisation ( applying the chemical inhibitor ) and shelf-life of chemical inhibitor . Again , this does not apply to cargo being transported in reefer containers . Mediterranean Shipping Company is also reported to have introduced new restrictions on stabilised cargo ; requiring that all stabilised or inhibited dangerous goods are carried in reefers . The move reflects concerns that port congestion around the world is causing delays that may result in inhibitors becoming ineffective before the goods are delivered to the consignee , and potentially causing an on-board fire .
www . international-tank-container . org
Polymerising substances carry the risk self-polymerising generating large amounts of heat