Scotland has a critical role to play in supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions. Vast offshore renewable resource potential combined with a rich oil and gas legacy has created deep offshore engineering and subsurface expertise, extensive oil and gas infrastructure, and established a reputation for excellence in the global energy business.
As has been reported through Fuel Oil News (here), the logistics industry is facing a serious shortage of skilled workers. In response, business group Logistics UK has launched a new comprehensive, free guide for employers from across the sector on “Funding and support for accessing logistics skills.”
Whilst many businesses in the UK have focused on staying afloat over the past 18 months, some have been riding the acquisition wave, moving from strength to strength and growing with new businesses under their belts.In this feature article from the August issue of Fuel Oil News we take a closer look at some of the most recent mergers and acquisitions within the sector from the perspectives of both the buyers and the sellers.
Fuel Oil News Tanker of the Year 2021 – We are pleased to announce that we are now open for nominations for the opportunity to receive this highly sought-after industry recognition. Fuel Oil News welcomes your entries now for the prestigious 2021 tanker of the year award.
More
In the August edition of Fuel Oil News magazine, we chatted with Luc Smets, general manager at Prax Lindsey oil refinery, to discover more about the man behind the industry success – from his clear pride in his family, through his recent achievements, to his love of chocolate.
Government must prioritise the granting of 10,000 temporary work visas to encourage EU drivers to return to support the UK’s supply chain, according to business group Logistics UK. Exclusive analysis of the latest ONS Labour Force Survey Q2 for Logistics UK by independent research company Repgraph has shown that 14,000 EU HGV drivers left employment in the UK in the year to June 2020, and only 600 have returned in the past year (by Q2 2021).
Climate campaigners known as ‘Extinction Rebellion’ blocked a terminal entrance near to the largest oil refinery in the UK yesterday in protest at the Fawley expansion plans.
A Scottish Enterprise report heralds Scotland as a world-leading producer of clean hydrogen within the next ten years and finds that the technologies and deployment will be paramount to the success of Scotland’s target of net zero by 2045
With less than one month until Logistics UK’s Fleet Engineer – the essential one-day conference for anyone responsible for maintaining commercial vehicles – the business group is urging fleet engineers to book their places now to ensure they are up to date with the latest developments in technology and enforcement.
Following an extensive refurbishment, the family-owned Hertford Road Service Station in Enfield has re-opened as a JET branded site. Previously BP branded, the popular site has been closed for two-months during which time the height of the canopy has been raised, the buildings re-modelled to provide 2000 square feet of retail space and the look and feel transformed by the iconic Jet branding.
Further Reading
The IPCC’s latest report on changes in the global climate was today backed by OGUK for adding new impetus to the transition to low-carbon energy.
Stolt Tank Containers (STC) has expanded its global network with the opening of Tank Wash Scotland Ltd, a new ISO tank depot in Grangemouth, Scotland. Grangemouth is Scotland’s largest port, handling nine million tonnes of cargo and over 225,000 shipping containers and is an ideal place for the depot to support customers given its convenient connections to the local rail freight network and close proximity to Scotland’s main road arteries.
The depot provides state-of-the-art cleaning, heating, storage and repair facilities for road-tankers, third-party tank container owners and STC’s own tanks. It features one segregated drive-through food bay, six fixed food bays, two drive-through chemical bays for road tankers and iso tanks, three test bays, three hot work repair bays, 12 steam-heating bays and parking for 30 trucks. A wastewater treatment plant offers a sustainable solution for handling waste, limiting water use and reducing transport-related CO2 emissions.
Michael Kramer, President, Stolt Tank Containers said: “I am delighted to announce that our latest depot is now up and running. Our long-standing relationships with customers, coupled with the expertise of our highly experienced local team will deliver value and quality to local markets. This is another step in our journey to optimise logistics by investing in facilities close to our customers and the digitalisation of our processes.”
STC believes that its investment in modern, efficient facilities at Grangemouth significantly improves the standard of tank cleaning across Scotland. In addition to aligning with STC’s sustainability strategy the investment also supports the Scottish Whisky Association’s ambitions for a circular economy and transitioning to net zero by 2040. The site is a member of the National Road Tanker Cleaners Association (NRTCA) and the European Federation of Tank Cleaning Organisations (EFTCO). Its high standards are recognised by SQAS certifications for tank cleaning and food handling.
When fully operational the Grangemouth site has the capacity to house 240 tanks and will serve the needs of customers in the local petrochemical industry and food and drink sector, which is by far Scotland’s largest export market.
Ken Eddleston, senior lighting specialist at Chalmit, the market-leading manufacturer of lighting for industrial and harsh and hazardous environments, explains to Fuel Oil News why he believes that the fuel industry cannot afford to overlook the importance of transportable lighting.
Workplace safety
For decision-makers in the fuel industry, workplace safety must always be the top priority. Settings, such as storage facilities, distribution points and depots, can be extremely hazardous and warrant appropriate respect.
The industry already pays plenty of attention to many areas of health and safety on site, with access, hygiene and cleanliness all in the spotlight. It is clear that firms appreciate the importance of providing safe passage for workers and vehicles, keeping facilities hygienic and cleaning up fuel spillages. However, not everyone is aware of the impact that a lighting strategy can have on health and safety.
One such consideration is transportable lighting which can be unplugged and moved around and has a critical role to play.
In a hazardous environment, such as a slippery fuel tank, it is imperative that workers have good sight of their surroundings. Given that it’s not possible to incorporate fixed ceiling lighting in a fuel tank, or indeed in many other settings in the fuel industry, transportable lighting comes to the fore, allowing jobs to be carried out without workers having to operate in dimly lit conditions.
It is absolutely essential that high precision tasks in the fuel industry, such as quality checks and reading gauge measurement, are not done in dim light, as getting them wrong could compromise the health and safety of an entire site and workforce.
It is, of course, imperative that transportable lighting must be suited to the environment it’s intended for. In the fuel industry, this might mean deciding upon lighting that can operate in a flammable or explosive environment.
When working in potentially explosive atmospheres, LED lighting is the sensible choice given that they remain cool and operate spark free. This ensures that combustible fuel won’t be ignited, protecting the people and equipment that surround it.
Quality of light
In addition to the health and safety benefits provided by transportable lighting, it is worth noting that it is adept at supplying concentrated, targeted lighting, thus enabling tasks to be carried out with precision. As an example, Chalmit’s Luna LED directs an output up to 5,600 lumens, and it is this kind of highly directional, uniform lighting, that provides workers with the necessary conditions to navigate hazardous settings and operate effectively.
Sustainability
Transportable lighting can also be implemented to boost an organisation’s sustainability credentials. When using it to carry out one specific task it means that other lighting in a facility does not need to be turned on. This means that senior decision-makers can be much more deliberate with their lighting without compromising on quality and use less electricity in the process. This also limits the amount of unwanted light pollution being generated.
With lots of eyes on the fuel industry, having a poor sustainability record can harm a business’ reputation and its ability to win new contracts. With commercial buyers and consumers increasingly making their final purchasing decisions based on an organisation’s sustainability record, transportable lighting has a significant role to play.
Benefits to the bottom line
It might sound obvious, but organisations that incorporate transportable lighting into their business will use less electricity. This means that they will also see a noteworthy reduction in their bills.
In addition, transportable lighting boasts an impressive lifespan, with some products performing for over 10 years. Given that lighting carries ongoing costs with it, in terms of repairs, maintenance and replacements, using a high performing, long-lasting product makes good business sense. So, by implementing the right lighting strategy that invests in transportable lighting, a business can significantly boost its bottom line.
The value of a good lighting strategy
The fuel industry can present some of the most testing and dangerous working conditions to operate in. Developing a good lighting strategy that incorporates transportable lighting, will enable the industry to boost its health and safety credentials and afford workers the opportunity to carry out jobs with precision and accuracy, all while taking a sustainable approach that comes with significant cost savings.
This article appeared in the July issue of Fuel Oil News magazine – subscribe now to ensure you don’t miss out: subscriptions@fueloilnews.co.uk
Essar Oil (UK) Limited has begun supplying jet fuel directly to airlines at Cardiff Airport, with new deals having already been secured with various carriers that operate flights from the facility.
These agreements demonstrate further the continued success of the Essar aviation fuels business, with direct supply arrangements now in place with carriers at five major airports across the UK – Manchester, Birmingham, London Stansted, Leeds-Bradford and Cardiff.
Adam Brayne, aviation & business development manager at Essar, commented: “Adding Cardiff Airport to our UK network is a further chapter in our growth story, as Essar continues to support major airlines through what we hope will be a recovery period for the sector. We look forward to a successful partnership with the airport and are delighted to have already secured direct business with a number of key airline customers there.”
David Walters, chief financial officer of Cardiff Airport, added: “We have been working hard to ensure suitable choice is available to our airline partners at Cardiff Airport, and we are very pleased that Essar has agreed to work with us as a new long-term fuel partner. We really look forward to working closely with the company, as we welcome more flights and airlines back to Cardiff.”
In the July edition of Fuel Oil News magazine, we chatted with Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association.
Mark Lant, technical expert at ProGARM talks us through the differences between flame retardant and arc flash resistant PPE, and why you should always know the difference.
John Regan, sales director at the Prax Group, brings us up to date with the groups strategic imperatives that will ensure that both current and future supply needs of customers are met.
Speaking of his family, recent achievements and a love of chocolate, we chat with Luc Smets, general manager at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery to discover more about the man behind industry success.
Most Read