News bulletin – tanks and logistics

NEWS BULLETIN

TANKS & LOGISTICS

STOLT GETS HOT IN SINGAPORE

Stolt Tank Containers (SCT) has invested in a significant expansion of heating capacity at its Singapore terminal (below), its main hub depot in Asia. The original 12 heating bays have been augmented with a second tier and a larger footprint and the depot, first opened 32 years ago, can now offer 60 cargo heating bays. The heating lines are equipped with stepdown regulators to allow delivery of different steam pressure to suit different cargo and tank types, while the arrangement also allows for cargo sampling of all tanks and for temperature monitoring throughout the entire heating process.

Stolt Container Terminal Pte Ltd provides support for all STC activities in Asia and also acts as the training centre for STC staff and for regional depots and customers. Located on Jurong Island, it serves the local chemical hub.

STC has meanwhile reported third-quarter revenues of $135.2m and operating profit of $12.1m, with both figures slightly off those of the previous period as the market continues to be soft as a result of price competition. “The cyclical strengthening of tank container markets that we typically see at this time of year did not materialise, reflecting the combined impact of the US-China trade war, a softening of global economic conditions overall, and an oversupply of tank containers,” says Niels G Stolt-Nielsen, CEO of parent Stolt-Nielsen Ltd. www.stolttankcontainers.com

FIRST DRUMMING IN MAASVLAKTE

Neele-Vat has formally opened its new Rotterdam Blending & Filling (RBF) facility in Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte. The new complex is designed to handle both non-hazardous and packaged dangerous goods, and also offers a blending and drumming unit.

RBF has been designed as an all-in-one facility to provide for the packaging, mixing, storage, refrigerated storage and onward distribution of liquid chemical products and is the first site in the Maasvlakte to provide drumming and IBC filling services. It has a storage capacity of some 35,000 pallet spaces.

“It’s a fantastic and innovative addition to the Port of Rotterdam’s industry, competitive strength, versatility and employment,” says Emile Hoogsteden, director of Containers, Breakbulk & Logistics at the Port of Rotterdam Authority. www.neelevat.nl

KATOEN EXPANDS IN CHEMICALS

Katoen Natie has acquired the warehousing and value-added logistics activities of NijhofWassink’s facility in Kutno, Poland. The site covers an area of 254,868 m² and has 42 silos, 15,000 m² of outside storage space, five warehouses totalling 40,000 m², a repacking hall, an office building and technical building.

Nijhof-Wassink’s warehouse capabilities in Poland have grown rapidly and Katoen Natie has shown interest in expanding in the area. As both companies have similar cultures and views on business operations, an agreement was swiftly reached guaranteeing continuity, stability and growth. Katoen Natie has decided to immediately expand the acquired facilities

with additional warehouses totalling 16,000 m² and 42 extra silos.

“With the acquisition of Nijhof-Wassink’s warehouse activities in Poland, the Business Unit Petrochemicals is expanding its European network of import hubs considerably,” says Katoen Natie. “The management of Katoen Natie considered Poland to be a blind spot in the network. By filling this blind spot, Poland is from now on an extra asset to serve the petrochemical customers even more.”

Katoen Natie has also acquired the Antwerp-based transport company Joosen, a family-owned concern that has a strong focus on moving freight containers within the port area. “With their young and modern fleet of tractors and trailers, supplemented by a permanent team of subcontractors and combined with their strong focus on software and new applications, Transport Joosen is one of the leading transport companies in the Port of Antwerp,” says Katoen Natie, which will add further capacity to its existing operations through Valkeniersnatie and Katoen Natie Trucking. www.katoennatie.com

RHYS DAVIES BOUGHT BY CATHAY

Cathay Investments has acquired Rhys Davies and Sons Limited (RDL), a prominent UKbased logistics, transport and warehousing business. Ben Chaing, Cathay CEO, says: “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of RDL. RDL has always been determined to build long-term partnerships and exceed customer expectations. They will work together with our warehouse and logistics providers, WH1 and Amethyst Group Limited along with our freight forwarders PNC Global Logistics UK to expand our logistic business nationwide and enhance the range of services we can offer.”

“Cathay’s acquisition of RDL should come as very welcome news to our loyal customers, long standing partners and valued and talented employees,” say Mark Richmond and Stephen Thomas, former directors of RDL. “This investment will enable RDL to flourish into the future and will facilitate the realisation of the ambition shared by both outgoing and incoming owners.” www.cathay-investments.com www.rhysdavies.co.uk

RINCHEM DOUBLES UP IN TAIWAN

Rinchem has opened a second dangerous goods warehouse in Tainan, Taiwan. The facility (above) offers some 3,200 pallet spaces for a range of goods, including flammables, oxidisers and products dangerous when wet, with various temperature-controlled units. Rinchem has had a warehouse in the port since it acquired Chimei Logistics in 2014.

Rinchem operates a broad network of temperature-controlled, hazardous materialscompliant warehouses across North America and in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It has a team of more than 100 hazmattrained drivers with temperature-controlled, hazmat-customised trucks and trailers. Its transport and warehousing network is linked through proprietary, web-enabled software that provides customers with real-time visibility into inventory location and status. www.rinchem.com

VTG GOES FOR FLEXIS

VTG Tanktainer has begun offering flexitanks as part of its service for the transport of liquids in bulk. It is using German-made units in sizes ranging from 12,000 to 24,000 litres, targeting shippers of fruit juices, biofuels and industrial chemicals not classified as dangerous in transport.

“We are pleased to have an experienced flexitank team on board and that we can now move liquid goods in both tank containers and flexitanks,” says Jan Röbken, managing director of VTG Tanktainer. “For us, it is important to never stop developing and improving – and to always be able to offer our customers the best possible transportation solution.”

VTG Tanktainer has established a global flexitank team to provide its customers with an end-to-end packaging, including procurement and fitting of flexitanks, loading and unloading, and flexitank recycling. www.vtg.com

A&R PICKS CHARLESTON

A&R Logistics is to invest some $60m in a new facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina to offer bagging and export of polymers for the regional chemical industry. Located in Moncks Corner, the new site will have a footprint of up to 1m ft2 and have up to four high-speed packing lines. It has also been designated as a CSX Select Site, which will provide rapid and efficient rail connection to the port of Charleston. www.ardoingitright.com