EN 14620: Raising the Standard
Dave Ward at Wardz Consulting looks at the revision of EN 14620 and what it means for the tank storage sector EN 14620 is the European Standard that deals with all aspects of the design, construction, testing and commissioning of vertical, cylindrical, tanks for the storage of refrigerated liquified gases (RLG’s). The development history extends back 70 years and the timeline is shown below. A full revision of EN14620 was commissioned by CEN (European Committee for Standardisation), in 2015 it is currently managed by Technical Committee CEN TC265/ Working Group10, which Dave Ward convenes. The aim of the revision is […]
Toptech: Turning Terminal Complexity into Competitive Advantage
The experts at Toptech explain how they are turning terminal chaos into streamlined data flows Terminal owners often struggle in an increasingly complex operational landscape. Years of acquisitions have left many organisations managing a patchwork of terminals and systems. These all have a variety of hardware, unique data formats, maintenance needs, and operational issues. Outdated and unreliable hardware is threatening terminal uptime and slowing down integration efforts. At the same time, there are too many different management systems in place, which take significant time to maintain and do not easily exchange data. In addition, third-party data ‘disconnects’ between carriers, drivers, and […]
Women in Tanks: Rebecca Broughton-Lee
Empowering colleagues to act safely with confidence is mission critical to UM Group’s environment, health & safety manager, Rebecca Broughton-Lee With a background in safety engineering, Rebecca Broughton-Lee is the embodiment of 2026’s International Women’s Day theme: Give to Gain. After all, she has to convince shareholders to prioritise people over profit, she laughs. ‘That’s never been a problem here at UM Group, though,’ she says. Joining the terminal business as an advisor, Broughton-Lee has been instrumental in UM Group’s safety overhaul. ‘This industry is an old one, and so the overhaul was more about being proactive and implementing new […]
White Hydrogen: Geological Curiosity or Energy Game-Changer?
Maia Khitarishvili, founder and CEO of H2Earth Dynamics, explores the world of white hydrogen – and how it fits in with the global energy transition Hydrogen has long been a multi-billion-dollar market as an industrial gas, even before the recent push to use it in the clean energy transition. Today, most hydrogen is made from fossil fuels (e.g. natural gas), which is carbon-intensive, but a new source of white hydrogen – naturally occurring hydrogen gas – is sparking interest as a potential game-changer. What is White Hydrogen? White hydrogen – also known as natural hydrogen – refers to hydrogen gas that […]
OpenTAS: Taking Storage Terminals from Automation to Autonomy
Co-CEO Monica Hildinger explains how OpenTAS is shaping the next phase of terminal operations When the global tank storage community gathered in Rotterdam on 10 & 11 March for StocExpo 2026, the conversation once again revolved around key challenges: increasing operational complexity, stricter regulatory requirements, workforce shortages, cybersecurity threats and the pressure to operate more sustainably and predictably. For Monica Hildinger, co-CEO of OpenTAS, these challenges signal more than incremental change. ‘The question is no longer whether to digitalise, but how to turn digitalisation into measurable efficiency, safety and ultimately autonomy,’ she says. This shift lay at the heart of her […]
Exolum: Safety as Essence & Global Excellence
Jesús Manso Manso, global HSSEQ lead at Exolum looks at safety in tank storage At Exolum, safety is an integral part of how we understand the business. It is not an added element or an occasional priority, but a criterion present in every decision, project and interaction. Protecting people, facilities and the environment is a responsibility we consciously assume wherever we operate, regardless of the country or context. When Exolum enters a new location, it often finds environments where safety culture is strongly linked to local regulations and the existing regulatory framework. These regulations are necessary and play a key […]
Energex: Storage Investment In A Shifting World
The experts at Energex look at the investor trends shaping storage sector acquisitions and refinancing in 2026 As politics and economics realign, so too do the priorities of investors in tank storage and pipelines. For owners and operators, understanding how lenders and equity providers now assess risk and value has become central to both acquisitions and refinancing. While familiar fundamentals such as market outlook, supply dynamics, customer integration and energy transition potential remain decisive, the weight investors attach to each is changing. Energy security and supply chain resilience, once background considerations, have moved to the foreground. In the process, hydrocarbons, […]
Port of Tarragona: Transforming Energy Hubs in the Mediterranean
The Port of Tarragona’s commercial coordinator, Jordi Anglès Jové, explores the energy transition projects developing in the Mediterranean Europe is going through a period of historic transformation in the energy sector that will change the world of energy as we know it today. Decarbonisation and energy transition strategies, energy costs and the increase in renewable energy production are just some of the factors that explain this transformation. The year 2025 was not good for the European energy sector. There were several announcements of plant closures in countries such as Germany and Italy, and the continent suffered higher energy and raw material […]
S&P Global CERA Consulting: Europe’s Bunker Fuel Transition
Nefeli Charitou, consultant at S&P Global CERA Consulting, looks at the opportunities for liquid storage The European liquid bulk storage industry is shifting away from traditional models, towards a period of change. Geopolitical turmoil, fragmented trade flows, and heightened energy security concerns intersect with ambitions for rapid energy transition. In this context, storage facilities will play a key role in Europe’s energy infrastructure, supporting economic resilience by storing essential commodities such as oil, chemicals and renewable fuels. Despite the European Union’s push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the storage sector still relies on traditional fossil fuels, which make up […]
Samp: Where Maintenance Goes Wrong & How Operators Are Fixing It
The experts at Samp explore why preparation, not execution, is driving cost, risk, and rework in tank terminals In the tank storage industry, maintenance failures rarely happen because someone used the wrong tool or ignored a procedure. Far more often, they happen because the work was poorly prepared. By the time technicians arrive on site, key decisions are already fixed: access routes are defined, equipment is ordered, contractors are mobilised, and safety assumptions are locked in. When something goes wrong at that stage, it is usually too late to fix cheaply or safely. As many operators now recognise, maintenance problems […]
FETSA: Storage In A Contested World
Global relations have changed significantly over the last few years, but storage terminals will find business opportunities, says FETSA’s executive director Ravi Bhatiani It feels as though we have crossed […]
LBC Rotterdam: Circular Thinking Storage
Terminal manager at LBC Rotterdam, Mathias Potvin, explores the role of tank storage infrastructure in enabling a net-zero economy The circular economy is rapidly moving from theory into operational reality, and […]
Maximising Free Energy
Could liquid air energy storage be the key to electrification? Tank Storage Magazine investigates The UK government kicked off 2026 with a record-breaking auction for offshore wind. The 8.4GW secured would generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 12 million homes. Or, at least, it could if the country didn’t face a huge energy storage problem. Enter: Highview Power. The company that is looking to eliminate wind curtailment in the UK by storing excess energy as liquid air. So, how does it work? Highview’s chief market development officer, Gary Preece, explains: ‘Our technology can take the excess energy […]
Chane: A Changing Wind
Chane’s new CEO, Fabian Ziegler, sits down exclusively with Tank Storage Magazine to discuss his vision for the company’s future What led you to join Chane as CEO? I’ve had […]
From Manual To Mechanical
Tank Storage Magazine looks at how drones, robots and automation are promoting safer and more efficient inspection methods Drones and robotics are fast becoming a preferred option for tank maintenance. Whether it’s robots entering confined spaces, crawlers cleaning the sides, or drones running the show when it comes to monitoring and inspections, terminals are increasingly turning to equipment like this to reduce risk and asset downtime. Robots that can be submersed in hazardous materials and map out the structure of a tank, all while keeping an eye out for corrosion under insulation (CUI) and other maintenance issues help shorten inspection […]
Women in Tanks: Marina Andreou
VTTI Cyprus’ commercial manager Marina Andreou shares how her mantra of living life to the full landed her in the terminals industry Marina Andreou’s journey into the tank storage world began almost by chance – a case of being in the right place at the right time. With a strong foundation in customer service and a background in supply chain and logistics, Andreou was exploring opportunities to merge both skill sets in a more industrial and operational environment. ‘Around that time, VTTI was preparing to launch a major new terminal, and as its construction entered the first year, they began […]
Rockwell Automation: Driving Digital Sustainable Efficiency
Rockwell Automation’s ITD business manager, Héctor Mario Bravo Solarte, explains how artificial intelligence can enhance operational efficiency Across the global energy landscape, digital transformation is redefining operational efficiency, safety and sustainability. BCPGroup & MAGNETA, in collaboration with Rockwell Automation demonstrates how artificial intelligence and advanced magnet motor technology applications are driving progress across both energy production and storage sectors. Today, energy and storage operators alike face mounting pressure to balance productivity with sustainability. Integrating digital technologies, from intelligent control systems in the field to advanced analytics at the enterprise level, enables them to modernise operations, reduce emissions, manage costs and […]
The Future of AI In Terminals
With companies scrambling to incorporate artificial intelligence in almost every facet of their business, is it too soon for critical infrastructure to make use of this tech? Artificial Intelligence is being widely used in almost all industries. Digital tools have been on a steady incline in terminals for the last few years, facilitating training, streamlining work and even predicting maintenance issues ahead of time, but does AI have a place in the tank storage sector? Dijam Panigrahi, co-founder and COO of GridRaster thinks so: ‘The role of artificial intelligence is driving a fundamental shift, moving beyond the digital realm and […]
Fecc: Quo Vadis, Chemical Industry In Europe?
Dorothee Arns, director-general at Fecc, evaluates the ups and downs of the European chemical industry Working in the chemical industry has always been challenging. Boring times hardly ever happen, due to the overall cyclicity of the business and constantly changing market conditions with the associated imperative to adapt. This is especially true for Europe, with its structural competitive disadvantages in energy prices, raw materials, labour costs and taxes, plus the consolidation of markets. Additionally, chemicals has always been impacted by geopolitics. However, what we have been seeing in the past 12 months, in particular since early April 2025, marks a […]
Venliance: Why Private Equity Hesitates
Ahead of speaking at StocExpo 2026, Venliance CEO Samrat Singh explores six ways that storage terminals can finally unlock capital A few weeks ago, I was in Dubai meeting a fund that has over a billion dollars earmarked for real assets. Smart team. Great track record. They’ve backed ports, midstream infrastructure, and even a cross-border logistics platform. But when the topic of storage terminals came up, the conversation shifted. ‘Samrat,’ one of the partners said. ‘We like the sector. But before we go further, do they have contracted volumes?’ It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that question. And it won’t […]
InterContinental Energy: Producing The Molecules Of Tomorrow
Alexander Tancock, CEO and co-founder at InterContinental Energy explains how scaling up renewable energies could be the best way to create green fuels ‘In the last 60 years, there have only been a handful of new innovations in energy,’ says Alexander Tancock, CEO and co-founder of InterContinental Energy (ICE). ‘In the 1960s, we saw an uptick in nuclear and LNG. Then in the 1980s, wind and solar arrived on the scene. Now, we’re looking at creating a low-carbon economy with ammonia and hydrogen.’ But there’s a key difference. He explains: ‘In all four cases, these innovations were absolutely driven by […]
Mathias Potvin: Stepping Into The Spotlight
Editor Anamika Talwaria speaks exclusively to LBC Tank Terminals’ Mathias Potvin about his Plant Manager of the Year win When Mathias Potvin started his career at the height of the 2008 financial crisis, he wouldn’t have predicted becoming Plant Manager of the Year 2025. But today, he has been highlighted for his immense contribution to LBC Rotterdam – though he insists everything has been a team-effort. ‘It’s an honour, and I’m very proud,’ he says. ‘But especially because I think it recognises the work that we have done as a terminal in the past three years.’ Potvin considered himself to […]
Vopak: 50 Years of Trust
Tank Storage Magazine speaks exclusively to Vopak US & Canada president, Maria Ciliberti, as the unit celebrates 50 years of operational excellence When asked about the essential elements of Vopak’s longevity, president of the US & Canada business unit, Maria Ciliberti, is quick to credit two key groups: employees and customers. ‘Vopak’s employees do a difficult job very well, safely and reliably,’ says Ciliberti. ‘It’s a huge factor contributing to our success.’ When it comes to the company’s customers: ‘We would not be here for 50 years if not for customers who trust us to safely store their products.’ Vopak […]
The Future of AI In Terminals
With companies scrambling to incorporate artificial intelligence in almost every facet of their business, is it too soon for critical infrastructure to make use of this tech? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being widely used in almost all industries. Digital tools have been on a steady incline in terminals for the last few years, facilitating training, streamlining work and even predicting maintenance issues ahead of time, but does AI have a place in the tank storage sector? Dijam Panigrahi, co-founder and COO of GridRaster thinks so: ‘The role of artificial intelligence is driving a fundamental shift, moving beyond the digital realm […]
Alternative Fuels: The 3 Drivers Of New Energies
Edmund Lam at ADI Analytics looks at the future of alternative fuels and the implications for the tank storage industry Sustainability, the energy transition, and energy security are driving new interest in alternative fuels. These include liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is widely used in heavy-duty transport, maritime, and power generation; renewable diesel (RD) and other biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biodiesel, which can be used in a wide range of on-road and off-road applications; and other synthetic fuels such as e-fuels, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol (as shown in Figure 1). Figure 1: Overview of key alternative […]
Advario: 35 Years in Singapore
Celebrating 35 years of operations in Singapore, Advario’s vice president for Southeast Asia, Ian ter Haar, speaks exclusively to Tank Storage Magazine Since the first terminal was commissioned in 1990, Advario Singapore has grown its footprint over the past few decades. Now celebrating its 35th year of operations, the company has not only built a vast range of developments, but trust, collaboration, and many successful partnerships. For the last 35 years, Advario has been operating on Jurong Island, working hand in hand with industry partners, customers and authorities to drive improvement in Singapore’s energy sector. A Prime Location Advario’s vice […]
Storage Outlook 2026: Odfjell Terminals
Adrian Lenning, managing director, Odfjell Terminals looks at what is in store in the tank storage industry for 2026 Like all industries connected to global trade, we are affected by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Over the past year, several macro factors have reshaped product flows: Tariffs and geopolitics have created a ‘wait-and-see’ sentiment in the market, extending decision cycles. Deglobalisation and nearshoring are accelerating, with more domestic production serving local demand – particularly in the USA, where chemical output increasingly supports domestic consumption. Macroeconomic headwinds in Europe and slower growth in China have curbed chemical trade volumes, although essential industrial chemicals […]
Storage Outlook 2026: IMTT
Shaun Revere, chief operating officer at IMTT speaks to Tank Storage Magazine about the companies predictions for 2026 The storage terminals market is stable right now, despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty. We’re certainly not in a contango situation, where we predict prices for products to go up in the near future. In fact, most of our products are in a state of backwardation, which is why we, and much of the industry, have been watching the US tariff strategy closely over the past 12 months. It has the potential to impact many of the products we handle. Nonetheless we continue to […]
Shell Moerdijk: Advancing Process Safety
GrandPersepctive’s Simon Bunegar explains how Shell Moerdijk is making award-winning process safety even better When people think of Europe’s largest petrochemical facilities, they often imagine sprawling infrastructure, vast networks of […]
Storage Outlook 2026: LBC Tank Terminals
Radboud Godron, group business development director new energies & Dewien Jagmohan, commercial and business development director Europe see what is in storage for the company in 2026 The year 2025 marked a pivotal chapter in the journey of LBC Tank Terminals. With the acquisition by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL Group), one of the world’s largest and most respected shipping companies, LBC has entered a new era of strategic growth and global integration. This acquisition strengthens MOL’s chemical logistics capabilities by adding tank storage to its portfolio and unlocks a wealth of operational and commercial synergies. Together, MOL and LBC are […]
Storage Outlook 2026: Evos
Juliana Manolova, chief commercial officer at Evos, looks at what’s in store for 2026 in the tank storage industry Evos operates a network of eight tank storage terminals strategically located across six major ports in five European countries. This footprint puts us right at the heart of our customers’ supply chains where the storage is essential for energy security and economic stability across the continent. As is the case elsewhere in the world, European storage demand is mainly driven by market imbalances: gaps between the supply and demand for energy products in specific regions. Such gaps create trading opportunities based on which supply chains are formed, with the storage function as an integral […]
Storage Outlook 2026: Exolum
Carlos Molina, commercial network lead at Exolum, looks at what’s in store for 2026 in the tank storage industry Throughout 2025, the price structure of petroleum products has generally been characterised by backwardation, which has limited time-spread trading activity and encouraged operators to optimise their working capital. Nevertheless, the market remains subject to significant uncertainties that could reverse this situation. In the short term, the war in Ukraine continues to be a major source of uncertainty, resulting from sanctions, damaged assets and disruptions to trade flows. In addition, the balance between oil supply and demand remains fragile: supply has stayed strong, while demand growth has been more moderate. Moreover, although […]
