Bulk Distributor Sept/Oct 17 | Page 5

Tank Containers September/October 2017 B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR 5 ,ŽLJĞƌ͕,Θ^ůŽŽŬƚŽƐƚĨŽŽĚƐƚƵīŵĂƌŬĞƚ B ulk transport of liquid foodstuffs has been around for decades. Large breweries, for example, often transport high strength beer by road tanker from one plant to another to mix with lemonade to make shandy. In Germany, where loyalty to local and regional brews remains resolute, the handful of breweries that have national distribution sometimes use tank containers to ship product across the country to different bottling plants. Now two of the largest operators of food grade tank containers are joining forces to expand the market further. Hamburg-based Hoyer Group is selling 51 percent of its liquid foodstuff division German Foodlog to H&S Group. Based in Barneveld, The Netherlands, H&S is Europe’s largest multimodal transport network for foodstuff-only bulk liquids. The result is a new joint venture company known as H&H Foodlog GmbH, which will come into existence from 1 November this year. The two family-owned logistics firms say the move is in response to market demand for consolidation, optimisation and automation in the bulk liquid foodstuff transport sector. Combining the assets and knowledge of Hoyer’s Foodlog and H&S’s own transport business (H&S Foodtrans), they are staking a claim to create a strong pan-European network which will enable innovative logistical solutions for existing and future customers. The enhanced service portfolio is expected to lead to operational benefits for customers. Together, H&S Foodtrans and H&H Foodlog will be ranked among the top three leading operators in the European bulk liquid foodstuff transport market, comprising some 350 employees, 1,600 specialised bulk tank containers, 175 road tankers, 200 trucks and an expected annual turnover of €175 million. Adwin Verhoeks, who worked as business unit manager for H&S Foodtrans in the Netherlands, has been appointed future general manager of H&H Foodlog. The company will be based in Neuss, Germany. H&S Foodtrans as well as Foodlog will continue to operate from existing offices outside of Germany. “Our aim is to provide the best possible service to our customers. This means high standards as well as comprehensive coverage. The step to join forces will support this target,” commented Hoyer CEO Ortwin Nast. His counterpart at H&S Group, Ubbo Hempenius, added: “We are very pleased with this joint venture. H&H Foodlog enormously increases our effectiveness, and therefore enables us to be the logistics partner for our large European customers.” Omni unveils new tank A ustralian tanker specialist, Omni Tanker, presented its new ISO tank container at the National Bulk Tanker Association’s (NBTA) Bulk Tanker Day on 31 August. Managing director Daniel Rodgers said the new tank is a carbon fibre composite unit, and is produced using Omni Tanker’s patented materials technology developed in Australia. Although previously focused on road tankers Omni Tanker has begun developing a range of pressure rated dangerous goods transport tank containers for highly corrosive chemicals. Within Australia, the units will be approved according to Australian standards such as 2809 and ADG7. In Europe, the tanks will be approved according to United Nations ADR and RID. The product is launching into the European and US markets as well as domestically in Australia and New Zealand and will be commercially available by December this year. WWW.BLUEPACK.DK Bulk beer transport should be a target market for H&H Foodlog ITCO releases ACC guideline T he 2017 version of the ITCO ACC Inspection Guideline has been published and is available to download from the ITCO website. ITCO advises members to note a number of points in the latest version. While the acceptable damage requirements have not actually changed, the new edition updates the inspection guidelines with additional requirements, notes and explanations. This latest version supersedes the previous 2010 edition, and amendments were completed after a member consultative process. In its latest technical briefing to members, ITCO says a paper (MSC98/20/11), was submitted by the Russia Federation to the IMO Marine Safety Committee at its June session which sets out a proposal for the inclusion of portable tanks manufactured of composite materials within the scope of IMDG. MSC indicated Its general support but advised