Storage Terminals: Acting on Defence
FETSA’s executive director Ravi Bhatiani responds to the EU’s latest White Paper and what role the terminals industry has to play in defence In late March, the EU announced a White Paper on Defence, as part of the ReArmEU discussions to increase EU defence readiness for worst case scenarios. In an era of rapid geopolitical shifts, the European Union is stepping up to protect its citizens and strengthen its defence capabilities. Preparedness is key – taking responsibility for our own security means investing in robust defence, safeguarding our people, and ensuring we have the resources to act when needed. The […]
How the ASNT is Leading the Way in Non-Destructive Testing
Clyde May, president of ASNT, explains the association’s core mission and looks to the future of NDT The American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) has one clear vision; to make non-destructive testing a highly respected and professional field, recognised globally for its role in creating a safer world. ‘It is a simple statement mission, but it says a lot,’ says Clyde May, president of ASNT. ‘Non-destructive testing (NDT) is something that very few people really know about, but is crucial in day-to-day practices.’ WHAT IS NDT? Despite being a simple concept, NDT can take some explaining. ‘The byline I […]
Lloyd’s Register: Power & Potential
Vassia Sourtzi, senior energy transition specialist at Lloyd’s Register, looks at the factors impacting the global fuel mix The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as nations grapple with the dual imperatives of meeting rising energy demands and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, global total final energy consumption (TFEC) has increased from 268 EJ (exajoule) in 2000 to just under 380 EJ in 2019, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate over the period of 1.9% per annum. Despite being significantly impacted in the early stages of the global pandemic and falling 4.7% year on year (YoY) in […]
ILTA View: The US Policy Horizon
Jay Cruz, senior director of government affairs and communications at the ILTA examines the policy outlook for the terminals industry under the Trump administration As President Donald Trump and the 119th Congress have settled into office, the legislative landscape for the next two years has taken shape. The current administration is favouring pro-energy policies, and both the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) and the terminals industry stand ready to support the nation’s increasing liquid energy needs. Founded in 1974, ILTA represents over 70 bulk liquid terminal companies that provide critical infrastructure, storage, and transportation logistics for 1.2 billion barrels of […]
Vopak Deer Park: A Safety-First Culture
Gary Jackson, SHEQ director at Vopak North America, speaks to Kate Rainford about Deer Park Terminal’s safety practices With a capacity of 1,282,512 m³, across 253 tanks, ranging in size from 80,000 barrels to 15,000, Deer Park is the largest of Vopak’s sites in the US and Canada. The terminal stores a range of products, including biofuels, chemicals, petroleum products, base oils and lubricants. Located in Houston, Texas, USA, the terminal offers a variety of services including nitrogen blanketing, ship purging and blanketing, 24-hour tank car switching, blending, circulation and marine lightering capabilities. The expansive scale of this facility calls […]
SGB: Preventing Explosions Of Vapour-Air-Mixtures
Discover the importance of leak monitoring; especially when storing methanol SGB DLG application for Verbio SE in Bitterfeld, Germany. Here with a manifold for three underground tanks Operators of systems with materials hazardous to water are obligated to verify the leak tightness of the system and to routinely monitor the functional capability of the safety systems, pursuant to effective regulations and laws. These safety systems include leak detectors. They are used in double-walled tanks as well as double-walled pipes, in which hazardous liquids, such as petrol, heating oil, acids and bases, are stored. Methanol is one such water-polluting liquid. And […]
Resilium: You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Understand
Resilium explains how to combat tank overfilling scenarios through gamification The events of 11 December 2005 were foreseeable. Like all tank storage facilities, Buncefield was vulnerable to a well-known (and arguably obvious) threat of tank overfill. The Incident Report after the event listed similar events (loss of containment of flammable gasoline) as far back as 1962 and the Investigation Report for the incident at CAPECO in October 2009 similarly listed comparable overfill events. In 2004 (before Buncefield), the IChemE and BP published ‘Safe Tank Farms and (Un)loading Operations’ which is part of a collection of booklets, describing how to manage hazards, […]
Women in Tanks: Carin van Straten-Lagerberg
Carin van Straten-Lagerberg, senior sales manager at Vopak Netherlands, shares her passion for supporting a sustainable future in tank storage Carin van Straten-Lagerberg, senior sales manager at Vopak Netherlands After working within commercial trading operations at Shell for almost 16 years, Carin van Straten-Lagerberg decided it was time for a change. ‘I was on the customer side for a long time, and I wanted to explore the commercial side from a service providing angle instead,’ she recalls. ‘Vopak is an esteemed company, and one of the largest independent storage providers. Famous for its tanks, infrastructure, complex operations and large amount […]
VTTV: Longevity In The Mediterranean
As VTTI celebrates 10 years of operations at its terminal in Cyprus, managing director, and vice president for the Mediterranean region, Thanos Patrikis, looks back at some of the highlights from the last decade Thanos Patrikis, managing director at VTTV A core part of VTTI’s network is its terminal in Cyprus, also known as VTTV. Located in the Eastern Mediterranean, VTTV is the first and one of the largest energy storage and distribution terminals in Cyprus’ Vasiliko region. The initial private investment from VTTI to start up the terminal was nearly €300 million, the largest foreign direct investment in Cyprus’ […]
Cashco: Advancing AST Protection
As facilities seek robust solutions to protect their storage systems, advancements in protective equipment and engineering methodologies are playing a crucial role in ensuring operational integrity, says Cashco The tank storage industry continues to evolve with a growing emphasis on safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Pressure and vacuum management are critical aspects of maintaining the structural integrity of tank storage systems. Industry providers such as Cashco offer a range of specialised products designed to safeguard storage facilities from excessive pressure fluctuations and environmental hazards. Key components commonly used in these safeguarding systems include: Pressure & vacuum relief valves Emergency relief […]
Port Tarragona: Sustainability & Challenges
Genoveva Climent, Port Tarragona’s commercial & business development director shares stories from three bulk liquid storage companies operating in this Spanish energy hub Tepsa Iberia’s solar panels Sustainability and challenge are two words that go hand in hand; even more so in these uncertain times in which we are living. Sustainability has become a key concept in our day-to-day lives, and the strategies and projects that are currently being defined revolve around this principle. Nevertheless, it is not an easy road; quite the opposite in fact. Implementing sustainability in port operations and the industrial sector in general involves confronting a […]
ETFuels: Charting The Course
As FuelEU Maritime regulations come into full force this year, Lara Naqushbandi, CEO of e-fuels developer ETFuels, looks at what the industry needs to know, and how best to prepare Lara Naqushbandi, CEO of ETFuels FuelEU Maritime has come into effect this year, yet few in the marine industry have really thought through the implications it is going to have on the shipping industry. As one of the earliest e-fuels developers to look at the space, with a portfolio of e-methanol projects under development in the US and Europe, ETFuels has spent the last three years immersed in the e-fuels […]
Voovio: Can Digital Twins Solve Workforce Challenges?
Bas Janssen from Voovio looks at the benefits and limitations of digital twin technology solutions in the storage terminal indsutry The terminal industry has greatly benefited from software and technology solutions that enhance terminal management through predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. However, these terminals still require skilled workers for operation and maintenance. The industry struggles with attracting and retaining talent, losing expertise due to retirements, and upskilling workers efficiently. Digital twins have been instrumental in terminal management but remain underutilised for workforce competency building. Digital Twins of the Person (DToP) provide an inclusive solution by enabling training and competency measurement […]
Gizil: Smarter & Safer Storage
Gizil explains how its Virtual Plant is revolutionising safety procedures at terminals In the terminal sector, safety is paramount, yet the industry face a persistent and growing challenge, human error. This issue, deeply rooted in the traditional nature of the industry, is exacerbated by a generational workforce shift, leaving companies struggling to maintain safety standards and operational efficiency. Knowledge Gaps And Human Error As experienced employees retire, they take decades of institutional skills with them, creating a significant knowledge gap. Younger, less-qualified workers stepping into these roles often lack the tools, training, and experience necessary to navigate the complexities of […]
UAB-Online: 4 Key Ways To Boost Terminal Efficiency
UAB-Online addresses the key pain points in maritime operations Efforts to enhance operational efficiency in port and terminal processes within the maritime industry are yielding benefits for stakeholders and simultaneously reducing demurrage claims. In UAB-Online’s experience as a software solution provider, the company has witnessed firsthand the improvements possible when the complete process of the pre-arrival administration and handling of inland and seagoing vessels becomes digitised. However, at many ports and terminals, less-than-optimal processes are still in place, and there are common problems that repeatedly occur. UAB-Online has identified four pain points, typically seen in traditional port and terminal operations, […]
Reducing Emissions From Storage Tank & Loading Operations
Peter Kerkhof, director at EEMUA, explains how to reduce vapour emissions when storing and handling volatile products When storing volatile products in storage tanks, there are a number of situations which may result in the emissions of vapours. These may be either standing emissions or emissions when filling a tank. When you load a truck or ship, the vapours from the storage compartments are pushed out. The hydrocarbon emissions (volatile organic components or VOCs) from storage and loading operations is 30-60% of the total off all industry-generated emissions. Peter Kerkhof, director at EEMUA This raises a number of questions: Do […]
Etasca: Future-Proofing Terminals For The Changing Environment
Following his talk at StocExpo, Andrew Inglis, director at Etasca, identifies and comments on the primary market developments impacting demand for bulk liquid storage and how terminals can respond Tank terminals are accustomed to responding to cyclical changes in market demand and trade flows for the products they handle. Historically, these fluctuations have been driven by macroeconomic changes and/or geopolitical disruptions – such as the current war in Ukraine. However, the energy transition is ushering in significant structural changes in refined product consumption, trade flows, and storage demand. These market changes will accelerate in the coming years, presenting both opportunities […]
S&P Global: The Future’s Focus
The experts at S&P Global look at the challenges and opportunities for the European liquid bulk storage industry in a shifting energy landscape The European liquid bulk storage industry stands on the brink of a seismic shift. With geopolitical tensions escalating and the relentless march towards decarbonisation, the sector faces unprecidented challenges. As traditional fossil fuels fall out of favour and regulatory pressures mount, industry players must adapt or risk obsolescence in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Europe Energy Policy Trilemma The energy trilemma highlights the challenges of balancing emissions reduction, energy security, and affordability. Despite high emissions reduction goals, […]
Buncefield: 20 Years On
Ulf Hinterscheid looks at what has changed in the tank storage industry since the Buncefield disaster The Buncefield tank farm fire, which occurred on 11 December 2005 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, is one of the largest industrial fires in British history and marked a pivotal moment in the regulation and safety practices of the tank storage industry. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the disaster, it is vital to examine the changes that have taken place in the industry since then, as well as the areas that still need improvement. Before diving into the post-Buncefield changes, it’s important […]
What You Need To Know About CBAM
With over 20 years of leadership in environmental markets, Redshaw Advisors provides expert guidance on navigating the CBAM framework effectively The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduces new challenges for a range of companies, including liquid storage terminals, tank operators, and managers handling carbon-intensive goods such as oil, LNG, and other liquid commodities. While CBAM primarily targets industries like iron, steel, aluminium, and fertilisers, its ripple effects on storage facilities, ports, and supply chains cannot be overlooked. This evolution requires market players to adapt strategically to new market dynamics and regulatory challenges. Introduction To CBAM The EU CBAM aims to […]
Women in Tanks: Anne Been
LBC Tank Terminals’ sales manager Anne Been shares how her father’s maritime career influenced her story in the tank storage and chemical industry Anne Been, sales manager, LBC Tank Terminals After graduating, Anne Been was looking for a career that was as dynamic as it was international. ‘My dad worked in the maritime industry for almost his whole career and encouraged me to go for the role at LBC Tank Terminals Rotterdam,’ she explains. Now working for LBC as a sales manager, Been’s role centres on both strengthening relationships with existing customers and identifying new opportunities to expand LBC’s client […]
Liquin: A Fresh Start
A year after Infracapital took on the former Vopak site, Tank Storage Magazine speaks exclusively to Peter van’t Hoff and Sebastian Margry from Liquin about the Botlek terminal, and what visitors to StocExpo can expect to see on the tour Based in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Liquin Terminal Botlek has a rich history as a storage terminal. The facility was founded in 1954 by Nieuwe Matex, which later changed its name to Van Ommeren Tank Terminal, and subsequently became Vopak Terminal Botlek In 1999, after the merger with Pakhoed. Liquin Terminal Botlek On 1 December 2023, the name changed […]
Navigating 40 CFR 60 Subpart Kc
Mesa ETP’s Adam Vance explains what tank owners need to know As environmental regulations continue to evolve, companies in oil, gas, chemical processing, and other industries that store volatile organic liquids (VOLs) must adapt to meet new compliance standards. In the latest development, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published 40 CFR 60 Subpart Kc, a significant update aimed at reducing emissions from storage tanks. This is the first revision of the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards for volatile organic liquid storage vessels (including petroleum liquid storage vessels) since the 1980s. These regulations will impact tank owners, operators […]
Ready For Take Off
The experts at Argus Media explain the current trends in SAF, and their predictions for what the market’s future holds Aviation accounts for 2-3% of global emissions, and the focus of airlines is rapidly shifting to reducing their carbon footprint. Governments and international bodies such as the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) are also setting targets and proposing incentives to cut emissions and scale up the use of more sustainable fuels to power aircraft. With options such as electrification still likely to be decades away, the spotlight is on sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). There are 11 SAF production pathways […]
Vopak’s View: Building A Hydrogen Future
Tank Storage Magazine asks Marcel van de Kar, senior vice president hydrogen & CO2 at Vopak for his thoughts on the emerging hydrogen market In the global race to achieve net zero emissions, low carbon hydrogen has emerged as a needed solution. But crucially, there is no single solution to achieving net zero. ‘We need a diverse portfolio of energy sources, and hydrogen is a crucial part of that mix,’ says Marcel van de Kar, senior vice president hydrogen & CO2 at Vopak. ‘It can be used in various sectors, from power generation and transportation to industrial processes. Within the […]
Women in Tanks: Alyssa Usman
From the Philippines to the UK, Stanlow Terminals’ Alyssa Usman shares her tank storage journey With a background in chemical engineering, Alyssa Usman has worked in oil and gas since 2014. ‘As soon as I graduated and passed my chemical engineer licensure exam, I was hired by the largest oil refinery in the Philippines,’ she says, now working as a quality and operations assurance specialist at Stanlow Terminals. ‘Since then, I’ve been in the oil and gas industry – specifically in the sector of crude refining and petroleum product manufacturing, including tank storage and terminalling.’ Alyssa Usman on site at […]
Global Tank Storage Award 2024: Industry Game-Changer
CEO of ColdPad, Julien Bec, explains how the company’s game-changing bonded fastener is keeping workers out of dangerous situations Storage terminals regularly rely on hot works and welding to fix broken infrastructure. This can involve a range of risks, which require extensive preventative measures, and, in some cases can lead to a shut down. To avoid this, composite bonding specialists ColdPad have created the C-Claw; an innovative non-intrusive bonded fastener. This mechanical fastener eliminates the need for hot works, revolutionising safety and efficiency at tank terminals. After gaining the gold award recognition at the Global Tank Storage Awards, CEO Julien […]
ILTA: Moving Forward into 2025
The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) outlines what the terminals industry is watching for following the 2024 elections As with every American presidential election cycle, private industry waits with bated breath to see how the next four years will impact the national economy. In 2024, the bulk liquid terminals industry finds itself at a critical crossroads on several key policy matters affecting liquid logistics up and down the supply chain. With President Donald Trump set to re-enter the White House, the terminals industry will look for meaningful and bipartisan solutions on these topics. CFATS Enacted in 2007, the Chemical Facility […]
Advario: A Hub of Change
Sjoerd Boer, vice president of new energies at Advario, explains the new e-SAF hub development, in partnership with Power2X Sjoerd Boer, vice president of new energies, Advario Approaching global climate targets calls for further development and infrastructure to support sustainable fuels. Advario and Power2X listened, and have partnered to develop a world-scale production and storage hub for synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) and other synthetic, ultra-low carbon fuels at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. The facility will have the capacity to produce over 250,000 tonnes per year of e-SAF, a non-fossil, synthetic fuel made from green hydrogen. It will be […]
Innovation Round-Up: Smarter Storage
With the rise of AI and digitalisation, the fast-pace growth of robotics, and the growing demand for drones on site, Kate Rainford looks at the latest innovative designs entering the industry Storage terminals stand at the forefront of the energy transition and the approaching change sees them adapting to new technologies, and driving advancements in digital technology. For decades, traditional asset management has relied heavily on manual processes, reactive maintenance, and fragmented systems and data, leading to inefficiencies and elevated risks. For tank storage facilities, this often means costly downtime, safety risks that are hard to manage, and resource constraints. […]
Global Tank Storage Award Winner: Emerging Technology
Global Tank Storage Award winner, Sherwin-Williams, explains how its gold winning emerging technology is helping insulate the industry Traditional insulating systems found on storage tanks often consist of a layer of primer, mineral wool or another insulator about 3 mm thick, clad in either stainless steel substrate or aluminium plate. Unfortunately, this means that the steel of the tank is hidden, which means it’s difficult to know what’s going on underneath. This can lead to the creation of the conditions which cause CUI (corrosion under insulation) which is invisible to normal inspection and will make maintenance more difficult and much […]
Verschoore & Verkouille: Building Trust, Building Tanks
Now operating as one company, Verschoore & Verkouille explains how its vast experience makes it an ideal tank construction partner For terminal operators looking to expand or upgrade their storage terminals, a key question is often the tank construction. Tank operators want to know that they can trust the company put in charge on building the assets that will hold potentially hazardous materials. Verschoore & Verkouille has been building storage tanks and process vessels for three generations, specialising in in both carbon steel and stainless steel vessel construction for the most diverse industries. Combining two well-respected Belgian companies, Verschoore Constructie […]
