Looking ahead to Tank Storage Asia

SINGAPORE SWING

PREVIEW • INNOVATION, REGULATION AND SAFETY WILL ONCE AGAIN BE THE KEY THEMES BEING DISCUSSED AT THIS YEARS’ TANK STORAGE ASIA EVENT IN SINGAPORE LATER THIS MONTH

TANK STORAGE ASIA returns to Singapore’s Marina Sands Expo and Convention Centre on 25 and 26 September. The two-day meeting is Asia’s leading event for the bulk liquids storage industry and, as ever, a host of influential and expert leaders will be attending to address the crowds. This year, Tank Storage Asia is boasting an “unparalleled line up of suppliers,” as well as some brandnew features and an inspiring conference programme.

Boasting more than 80 exhibitors and over 20 conference speakers, including experts and analysts from top terminals and oil majors, Tank Storage Asia is an “unrivalled opportunity for visitors to access in-depth sessions, presentations and debates on the most pressing industry-related challenges and solutions of the moment,” the organisers say. Industry authorities including CEOs, terminal managers and major industry representatives will discuss the key trends shaping the industry.

This year, a hugely diverse array of exhibitors will be filling the stands and providing guidance on the latest products. Businesses specialising in everything from pipe-crawling robots to marine loading arms and roofing to biofuel will be eagerly awaiting to speak to attendees and explore new partnerships.

Alongside the exhibitors is a dedicated conference hall where industry-leading voices will be speaking on a range of topics throughout the event. There is also ample networking space for those looking to have a longer conversation with peers and arrange meetings to develop growing friendships. Prior to the event, an online, one-to-one networking platform will be launched to allow visitors to arrange meetings and manage their schedule throughout the show. The TSA Connect Lounge on the exhibition floor will provide a comfortable space for these meetings to take place.

Mark Rimmer, tank storage portfolio director, says: “Tank Storage Asia is alert to the biggest issues currently affecting the Asian tank storage industry. The event will examine the trends that are most prevalent in great detail. This is what brings leading professionals to the event, year-on-year.”

TALKING POINTS Digitisation and the need for industry to embrace the development of the connected world will loom large among the key topics, promising to be included in several presentations at Tank Storage Asia. Mark Stuart, speaker and trainer at Anagram Group will be kicking off proceedings after the opening remarks by the chair by discussing leadership in the digital age. The body of his presentation will explore why and how organisations need to evolve in a world of change and disruption and also examine what leading companies are doing to prepare for the future of work. »

TANK STORAGE ASIA IS THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN

This theme is continued later in the day by Edwin Ebrahimi, innovation engagement leader at Vopak, who will look at the development of Vopak’s smart terminals and recent digital transformation. Alongside a detailed report on recent developments in digital asset management, Ebrahimi will discuss the use of drones for tank and jetty inspections and also the implementation of smart sensors for condition monitoring.

Digital innovations will also be the key point of a joint presentation by Mark Lim, commercial manager at Stolthaven Terminals, and Chye Poh Chua, CEO of ShipsFocus. The duo’s session will dissect big data and artificial intelligence, detailing how technology can be used to reduce tanker waiting times and enhance terminal utilisation. Ultimately, the aim is to promote inclusive growth, encourage marine commerce to digitise and help small and medium-sized maritime enterprises to close the digital divide.

Ian Coker of Bureau Veritas will continue the conversation surrounding the development and use of robotic tools in his presentation on emerging inspection and integrity technologies for tank asset management. As has been seen in the last couple of years, there have been countless developments and ingenious applications when it comes to new robotics. The industry is now at the stage where manual inspections are almost not necessary and can even be conducted without a shutdown. This is of course monumental in terms of staff safety and optimising profits for a whole host of specialist businesses.

SPOTLIGHT 2020 Of course, some big changes are known to be happening in 2020 and people are preparing for the unknown in the future as the 2019 macroeconomic environment has been turbulent at best. One of the known changes to be fast approaching is ‘IMO 2020’, the new restrictions on the sulphur content of marine fuels. Sushant Gupta, director Asia-Pacific refining at Wood Mackenzie, will explain how the legislation represents a positive move to drive down emissions and improve sustainability. Questions on how the sector will adapt to changes in demand for high- and low-sulphur fuel oil and what this means for storage opportunities in Asia will also be answered during the session.

Being able to navigate the commercial opportunities that will be presented once IMO 2020 has launched is part of the discussion Paul Hickin, associate director at Platts, will lead. It is inevitable that global supply and demand balances for oil will be affected by IMO 2020 so Hickin will examine how market dynamics and structures are likely to react. Additionally, there will be an in-depth look at OPEC’s determination to cut output beyond 2019.

Over the course of the two days there will be plenty more discussions. These expert-led talks will include topics such as the adoption of low carbon energy alternatives and the bolstering of green credentials, process safety improvements and compliance, setting up petroleum products storage terminals in India, and the role hydrogen will play in a decarbonised future.

“Tank Storage Asia is the only event in the world dedicated to the Asian storage market and, with crude oil trade routes opening in the east, there is no doubt about the profitability of the market – the industry is thriving in the region,” says Rimmer. “This reality is pushing developments in new technology, materials and automation equipment. The fact that the results of such pioneering product and service developments will be present on the show floor, and that the thought processes which led to these will be discussed, is something Tank Storage Asia is immensely proud of.”

For more information on the exhibition and attending the conference, please call +44 20 3196 4300. HCB www.tankstorageasia.com