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NEWS BULLETIN
TANKS & LOGISTICS
TI-TANKS FROM HOYER
Hoyer has developed an innovative titanium tank container (below), to handle highly corrosive dangerous goods for a major chemical industry customer. The new tank design is the result of two years of intensive development work and construction, involving Hoyer, its customer and tank builder Van Hool. Two new titanium tank containers have already entered service, dedicated to the transport of molten monochloracetic acid. Hans Demarest, engineering director of Hoyer, explains: “Corrosive dangerous goods are among the most challenging products from the logistics point of view. Managing the supply chain on the manufacturer’s side, maintaining optimum transport conditions and delivery to the end customers on the haulier’s side require special know-how and experience.” A major challenge for the project team was the attachment of the stainless steel frame to the titanium tank, as the two materials cannot be bonded. With that challenge overcome, the next issue was keeping the cargo at the correct
elevated temperature. A specially designed heating system, with Ex approval, was developed. And, as with all of Hoyer’s new tanks, the titanium units are equipped with Smart Technology. Hoyer is in fact no stranger to using titanium in its tank containers, noting that another positive aspect of the material is its durability. Three titanium tanks joined the Hoyer fleet 30 years ago and are still in use today, with the company saying that this long life also justifies the higher building cost. www.hoyer-group.com LAG TRAILERS FOR B&F
LAG has delivered 50 semi-trailers to German road tanker operator Benninger & Föll. The order included 24 stainless steel tank trailers and 26 tank container chassis, all for the transport of ADR and liquid food products. The order was partly for replacement purposes but also expands the company’s fleet. “As a sustainable entrepreneur, Benninger & Föll strives to have a young and modern fleet
to reduce the environmental impact of its transport activities,” says LAG. The new vehicles help meet those targets, with a low tare weight and flexibility in operation. The tankers are fitted with both hydraulic and electric unloading pumps and a double foldable handrail connected to drive-away protection. lag.eu HARD YEAR FOR HUPAC
Hupac Group moved 1.01m road consignments by rail last year, representing 1.91m TEU, a 0.9 per cent decline on the 2019 figure. The drop reflected lower demand due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and a fall in maritime traffic into Europe during the first half of the year, although these conditions eased in the second half. “Given the extraordinary circumstances, we are satisfied with the traffic volume achieved,” says Michail Stahlhut, CEO of the Hupac Group. “However, we had set significantly more ambitious goals.” Public financial aid to overcome the coronavirus crisis is moderate. Hupac is therefore relying on additional measures to control costs and increase productivity. “We are aiming for the maximum possible train length – operationally and in terms of planning. Expanding the network to a standard train length of 740 m is our top priority – the sooner the better,” Stahlhut adds. This year has started well, especially as Hupac can now move large-volume 4-metre semi-trailers on its entire transalpine network. “We expect strong demand in this segment,” Stahlhut says. “With our transport offer, we are making a concrete contribution to Switzerland’s modal shift policy and to the implementation of the European Green Deal strategy.” www.hupac.ch VAN MOER PLANS FOR GROWTH
Van Moer Logistics is to expand its tank container depot in Zwijndrecht, Belgium this
HCB MONTHLY | MARCH 2021
