News bulletin – tanks and logistics

NEWS BULLETIN

TANKS & LOGISTICS

TI-TANKS FROM HOYER

Hoyer has developed an innovative titanium tank container (below), to handle highly corrosive dangerous goods for a major chemical industry customer. The new tank design is the result of two years of intensive development work and construction, involving Hoyer, its customer and tank builder Van Hool. Two new titanium tank containers have already entered service, dedicated to the transport of molten monochloracetic acid.

Hans Demarest, engineering director of Hoyer, explains: “Corrosive dangerous goods are among the most challenging products from the logistics point of view. Managing the supply chain on the manufacturer’s side, maintaining optimum transport conditions and delivery to the end customers on the haulier’s side require special know-how and experience.”

A major challenge for the project team was the attachment of the stainless steel frame to the titanium tank, as the two materials cannot be bonded. With that challenge overcome, the next issue was keeping the cargo at the correct elevated temperature. A specially designed heating system, with Ex approval, was developed. And, as with all of Hoyer’s new tanks, the titanium units are equipped with Smart Technology.

Hoyer is in fact no stranger to using titanium in its tank containers, noting that another positive aspect of the material is its durability. Three titanium tanks joined the Hoyer fleet 30 years ago and are still in use today, with the company saying that this long life also justifies the higher building cost. www.hoyer-group.com

LAG TRAILERS FOR B&F

LAG has delivered 50 semi-trailers to German road tanker operator Benninger & Föll. The order included 24 stainless steel tank trailers and 26 tank container chassis, all for the transport of ADR and liquid food products. The order was partly for replacement purposes but also expands the company’s fleet.

“As a sustainable entrepreneur, Benninger & Föll strives to have a young and modern fleet to reduce the environmental impact of its transport activities,” says LAG. The new vehicles help meet those targets, with a low tare weight and flexibility in operation. The tankers are fitted with both hydraulic and electric unloading pumps and a double foldable handrail connected to drive-away protection. lag.eu

HARD YEAR FOR HUPAC

Hupac Group moved 1.01m road consignments by rail last year, representing 1.91m TEU, a 0.9 per cent decline on the 2019 figure. The drop reflected lower demand due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and a fall in maritime traffic into Europe during the first half of the year, although these conditions eased in the second half.

“Given the extraordinary circumstances, we are satisfied with the traffic volume achieved,” says Michail Stahlhut, CEO of the Hupac Group. “However, we had set significantly more ambitious goals.” Public financial aid to overcome the coronavirus crisis is moderate. Hupac is therefore relying on additional measures to control costs and increase productivity. “We are aiming for the maximum possible train length – operationally and in terms of planning. Expanding the network to a standard train length of 740 m is our top priority – the sooner the better,” Stahlhut adds.

This year has started well, especially as Hupac can now move large-volume 4-metre semi-trailers on its entire transalpine network. “We expect strong demand in this segment,” Stahlhut says. “With our transport offer, we are making a concrete contribution to Switzerland’s modal shift policy and to the implementation of the European Green Deal strategy.” www.hupac.ch

VAN MOER PLANS FOR GROWTH

Van Moer Logistics is to expand its tank container depot in Zwijndrecht, Belgium this

year, along with an update to its tank repair and cleaning facilities. In addition, it plans to install solar panels on two warehouses “and continue to make our fleet more sustainable,” says founder/CEO Jan van Moer. Funds for the work will come from an investment in its recently spun off real estate business, an interest in which has been acquired by Van Wellen Storage under a sale-and-rent-back arrangement.

Van Moer Logistics last year reached its 30th anniversary and, despite the Covid-19 crisis, handled a total of 600,000 TEU, equivalent to some 5 per cent of the container throughput in the port of Antwerp. More than half of that volume was moved on Van Moer’s barges. vanmoer.com

KERRY TAKES THE MONEY

Kerry Logistics Network (KLN) has accepted an offer from SF Holding to take a 51.5 per cent stake in the company at a price of HK$ 18.80 per share, equivalent to an investment of HK$ 17.5bn (US$ 2.25bn). As part of the transaction, KLN will sell its warehouse assets in Hong Kong to a wholly owned subsidiary of Kerry Holdings Ltd and its business in Taiwan, including its interest in the stock-listed Kerry TJ Logistics Co, to another wholly owned subsidiary of Kerry Holdings Ltd. KLN says the moves will help it operate under an asset-lighter model, comparable with those of its international industry peers.

“The cooperation will bring together the core competencies of SF Holding and Kerry Logistics Network across multiple verticals to create a leading Asia-based global logistics platform to meet ever-changing demands,” KLN says. “Under the strategic cooperation, Kerry Logistics Network will be positioned as SF Holding’s platform for international business. SF Holding and KLN will also collaborate with each other in Greater China to better align their respective businesses.”

Subsequent to the completion of the transaction, KLN will remain listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and will continue to operate under the ‘Kerry’ name. www.kerrylogistics.com

NEW AT DEN HARTOGH

Den Hartogh has taken delivery of 29 new swap body tank containers, the first batch of an order of 225 units ordered from Singamas. The 35,000-litre baffled tanks are fully ground-operated and equipped with an IMT temperature sensor for remote connectivity. The new units arrived at Den Hartogh’s Logistics Service Centre in Antwerp at the end of January.

Den Hartogh has also put four new LNG-powered trucks into service under a long-term logistics contract with Shell Deutschland Oil, transporting dimethyl ether on a dedicated route from Shell’s Rheinland refinery in Köln. “The deployment of these cleaner Volvo FH LNG trucks marks the long-standing partnership between Den Hartogh and Shell and their mutual goal to shape a better and more sustainable future,” Den Hartogh says.

Shell’s intention is to help LNG reach an impactful scale in the heavy-duty road transport sector and thus contribute to lower emissions of CO2 and air pollutants despite the continuing increase in road freight transport. Den Hartogh is specialised in transporting LNG and other liquefied gases for its customers and now also using LNG powered trucks. www.denhartogh.com

ROOTSELAAR BACK IN TANKS

Tanbouw Rootselaar has moved back into the tank trailer market following the acquisition in early January of Hobur Twente. Tankbouw Rootselaar formerly manufactured pressurised tank trailers for propane and CO2 service but exited the market to concentrate on pressure vessels and gas systems for static applications.

The acquisition provides an established orderbook for 58,000-litre units in France and the UK as well as access to expertise in the use of super-lean duplex materials. Typical three-axle configurations are available with a capacity of up to 67,500 litres and a payload of 29.9 tonnes for use in the Netherlands. therootselaargroup.com