Tank Storage Association: Bulk storage and energy infrastructure

Executive director of the Tank Storage Association, Peter Davidson, examines the bulk storage and energy infrastructure sector in light of changing markets and shifts in the geopolitical landscape. Tank storage is an essential part of commodity trading and storage terminals improve the flexibility of supply chains. These terminals may either store single products or multiple products within a single facility and can provide supplementary services such as blending, packaging, canning, drum filling, water treatment and analysis, warehousing, as well as bonded facilities for duty suspended products. Tank Storage Association members operate a variety of terminals across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, storing both hazardous and non-hazardous liquids – and, in some cases, gases. Around 22 of these terminals are designated by the UK Government as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Storage capacity also includes strategic reserves held for emergencies and supply disruptions. Storage terminals in the UK In the UK, terminals are strategically located, with clusters in the North East and Thames Estuary. In addition, the transport energy system’s strategic flexibility is...