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 […]
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 c Peter Kerkhof, director at EEMUA ompartments 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. This raises a number of questions: […]
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 […]
Introducing: Samp’s Shared Reality
Ahead of speaking at StocExpo, Samp’s COO Thomas Grand explains how a data – driven approach can improve terminal operations The tank storage industry faces a wide array of challenges, […]
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 […]
How Robotics & AI Are Disrupting Tank Storage
AI and robotics unlock sustainable efficiency in the oil and gas sector, according to GlobalData Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are leading the transformative changes in the oil and gas sector, accelerating advancements in operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. These technologies are reshaping how the sector approaches exploration, production, refining, and logistics, instituting a new era of innovations for heightened productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and safety, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Saurabh Daga, project manager for Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, says: ‘AI and robotics are bringing far and wide changes in the oil and gas sector, […]
Global Tank Storage Award Winner 2024: Drones & Robotics Solution
CEO of Square Robot, David Lamont, explains the unique nature of the company’s tank inspection robots Field supervisor Majid Calil (left) and field service manager Billy Yackel (right) overseeing the […]
The Future Of Hydrogen Storage
The experts at Walter Tosto explain safety and design for high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, and the importance of design by analysis Hydrogen Has emerged in recent years as a promising alternative energy vector because of its potential to address the challenges of climate change, pollution, and energy security. Although hydrogen is considered to be one of the key elements in the global decarbonisation, its storage is more complicated than many other energy vectors that industry is much more used to. Since storing hydrogen under atmospheric conditions is highly inefficient, it should always be put under high pressure. This brings molecules […]
Hydrogen: Storage & Innovation
Hydrogen expert Charley Rattan takes a look at how the hydrogen market is progressing for storage operators and ports As the global hydrogen economy gathers momentum, certain elements are integral for the future of the sector. Recent announcements from Uniper regarding a Financial Investment Decision for the Underground Krummhoern project in Germany is evidence of this. Such schemes range from the seasonal storage, recently progressed at Portland, Dorset, UK, in salt caverns, geological formations, or even large-scale mines. Hydrogen Storage At Ports The business potential around hydrogen is enormous, not just for underground storage and pipelines but especially for ports. […]
Tank Storage Association: Changing The Energy Landscape
Tank Storage Association’s Peter Davidson explains the impacts of The Great British Energy Bill and The National Wealth Fund Bill on the UK energy industry The Labour Party has won a majority in Parliament following the UK General Election on 4 July 2024. The King’s Speech, opening the first session of the new parliament and setting out the government’s priorities and legislative agenda for the months ahead, was held on 17 July 2024. In total, 40 bills were announced by the new government. Among these was the Great British Energy bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 25 July. […]
Plan For Disaster; Avoid Catastrophes
Editor Anamika Talwaria speaks to industry leaders about the importance of emergency response planning Terminal facilities storing hazardous goods such as petrochemicals, fossil fuels and other bulk liquids need to take extra care when it comes to potential fires. As well as fire suppression systems installed on site, a robust emergency response plan is key to stay safe and prevent losses on site in the event of an incident. Safety Planning On Site Proper safety planning needs a two- pronged approach: prevention and mitigation. Starting with the design of a tank terminal, it’s crucial to properly consider the assets and […]
Securing The Digital Transformation in Tank Terminals
TanQuid’s head of people & technology, Thomas Knutzen, explains how tank terminals can implement cybersecurity to their digital strategies In recent years, many companies and IT departments have been occupied with the topic of digitalisation. Many efficiencies have been realised with the help of digital tools, especially in traditional office roles such as finance and HR. A particular challenge in the tank storage industry, however, was and is the digitalisation of operational processes in the field. Traditionally, long-lasting components are used in operational technology (OT), where a service life of 20 years is not uncommon. As a result, digitalisation in […]
Women in Tanks: Nicola Briggs
Control room officer at Navigator Terminals, Nicola Briggs, talks about her experience as a woman in tanks Before accidentally entering the storage terminals industry around 13 years ago, Navigator Terminals control room officer, Nicola Briggs, was a mobile hairdresser. She recalls that whilst trying to set up her salon she saw an advert to work on a weighbridge. ‘I didn’t tell my dad, who was the operations manager at the time, as I did not want to use his influence,’ she says. ‘I was then offered the position, so had to come clean to him!’ After working there for six […]
Global Tank Storage Award Winner 2024: Excellence in Safety
Terminal manager Tom Vanhoeylandt tells Kate Rainford about LBC Lillo’s win for Excellence in Safety at the Global Tank Storage Awards 2024 Safety in terminals is a key consideration for storage providers. LBC Lillo’s terminal manager of 11 years, Tom Vanhoeylandt, proudly puts safety at the forefront of the company, and was recognised for this when LBC Lillo won gold for safety excellence at the Global Tank Storage Awards in March 2024. Located in Antwerp, Belgium, LBC Lillo boasts 47,500 m³ of liquid storage capacity across 19 storage tanks, ranging in volumes from 1,660 m³ to 3,000 m³. Focusing on […]
New Fuels In The Mediterranean
Port Tarragona’s commercial coordinator, Jordi Angles, looks at how the Mediterranean is perfectly positioned to support the energy transition All the disruptions we have experienced as a society since 2020 have led to an enormous acceleration towards the energy transition. This has had a considerable impact on all port facilities. Ports are currently experiencing a twin panorama. While the statistics tell us that fuels and traditional energy products still make up the bulk of traffic, the commercial reality is that conferences, meetings with clients and networking spaces are filled with conversations, projects and analyses that involve a wide variety of […]
Women in Tanks: Tammara Young
Colonial Pipeline’s safety specialist, Tammara Young, explains how her passion for safety and drive for learning empowered her journey into tank storage Tammara Young, safety specialist, Colonial Pipeline Tammara Young is a prime example of women in this industry elevating each other to new heights. Recommended by another colleague involved in Tank Storage Magazine’s Women in Tanks scheme, Young’s story is one that transcends industry. A single mother, she’s been able to grow an impressive career in safety and is an inspiration to all those who meet her. Though she would never be so bold as to say so. ‘I […]
