International Technical Tank Container

Conference ( ITCC ) in Antwerp in June . The

event , hosting industry professionals

representing 70 different companies from

around the world , proved to be a great success .

As global leader in the testing , inspection and

certification industry ( TIC ), Bureau Veritas partners

with organisations to ensure safety and regulatory

compliance when transporting goods . Bureau

Veritas ensures the quality of tanks through

delivering a series of inspections at various stages

within the life cycle of tank containers , more

specifically those transporting dangerous goods .

As global business increases , the demand for

dangerous goods to be transported is also on the

rise . Therefore tank container operators and

lessors have an increased responsibility to satisfy

both national and international regulations .

“ It is our organisation ’ s ambition to prioritise

safety within the transport and logistics market ,”

said Jeroen Schots , transport & logistic service manager in the Benelux & UK . “ In this fast

The Bureau Veritas International Technical Tank Container Conference hosted industry professionals representing 70 different companies from around the world

growing industry it is necessary to combine forces and share knowledge . As experts we are open to do so , and backed by Port of Antwerp , we therefore organised our first International Tank Container Conference .” The firm boasts an international network of over 370 qualified inspectors in 46 countries , backed by three technical centres . At the tank ’ s inception , Bureau Veritas offers the review of designs which ensures the type approval . Furthermore , initial inspections act as a check on the quality during the manufacturing phase . In addition to this , periodic and voluntary inspections ensure the tank ’ s viability while operating . Bureau Veritas offers guidance to organisations with the complexities of the rules and regulations

which govern the tank container industry . However , each stakeholder has an individual obligation to ensure safety within their supply chains . “ Because each stakeholder has a responsibility within the process , it was the purpose of this conference not only to facilitate the sharing of knowledge , but also to emphasise the responsibilities for all stakeholders ,” added Schots . “ We set out to ensure that the conference would start a much needed global conversation and facilitated the sharing of opinions interactively among port authorities , operators , lessors and various other industry experts .” The day started with an introduction by Schots himself and Bureau Veritas ’ country chief Belgium Richard Zappeij .

Topics discussed during the day were both technically focused and practical . Speakers Bart van Looveren ( team leader European TLS , Bureau Veritas ) and Koen de Gruyter ( product manager TLS & automotive ) guided the attendees through the complex world of technical standards and relevant requirements for tank containers . Bureau Veritas developments around innovation in the use of multimodal equipment also sparked a good discussion amongst attendees . Speakers from the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp covered the complex areas of comformity and compliance , while Dutch Authorities provided insights into the results of checks they had recently performed on Dutch roads regarding containers and safety . Speakers

from BIC shed some light on the evolution of standardisation for the container industry and global container databases . The conference sparked much needed industry discussions and the day ended with the opportunity to network with all industry specialists . A dinner in the Antwerp Port house provided the ideal setting , where attendees were welcomed by Marc Van Peel , president of Port of Antwerp . Overall , this first conference proved a great success for both attendees and Bureau Veritas . It solidified the need for industry specialists to meet annually , while providing Bureau Veritas with the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the tank container industry .

Broekema Bulk , following an agreement between Van den Bosch CEO Rico Daandels and Broekema Bulk director Dirk Broekema . Just like Van den Bosch , Broekema is specialised in road and intermodal bulk transport . But where Van den Bosch is active in both dry and liquid bulk logistics , Broekema focuses on dry bulk transport , especially feed , minerals , petrochemical products and food . The work area covers the Benelux , France , Germany , the UK , Italy and Spain . “ With the takeover of Broekema Bulk , we aim to expand our dry bulk activities in Europe ,” said Daandels . “ Both the work area and the fleet of Broekema are in line with our activities and strategy . We want to strengthen our position as a top 10 bulk transport company in Europe , especially in the UK , where Broekema has acquired a strong position .” The dry bulk division of Van den Bosch already counts more than 1,000 silo trailers and silo containers , mainly pressurised . With the takeover ,

Van den Bosch will extend the fleet with modern silo trailers and 40ft pressurised silo containers . Daandels continued : “ Van den Bosch has developed into a leading company in the transport of dry bulk products with pressurised containers . With this investment , we are extending both our fleet and our network in this specific sector .” The business activities of Broekema will continue from the head office of Van den Bosch Transporten in Erp , Netherlands , where the employees of Broekema will start as of July . Dirk Broekema will continue to be the contact person for customers of Broekema Bulk . He is enthusiastic about the takeover . “ Van den Bosch has acquired a strong position in European logistics ,” he said . “ Our customers will benefit from this extensive intermodal transport network . Next to that , Van den Bosch also has the expertise in liquid bulk transport . Moreover , the takeover results in extra capacity and a wide package of additional logistic services , such as on site logistics and connectivity solutions .”

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Signing of the agreement by Rico Daandels and Dirk Broekema