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Inter Terminals is now the largest bulk liquid storage provider in Scandinavia with comprehensive facilities on both sides of the Danish Straits
As demand for storage outstrips supply, Inter Terminals has made a multi-million Euro investment.
The investment is in large ship handling and oil storage at the Asnaes Oil Terminal (AOT) in the Danish Straits, the third most active channel for oil products in the world.
Dredging and improvement works at AOT’s main oil quay and an adjacent jetty have resulted in deepening the drafts to 11.5m and 14.2m respectively. The jetties are able to accommodate vessels of Aframax and Suezmax up to 180,000 tonnes. To match this new loading/unloading capability two tanks at the terminal are being recommissioned, providing an additional 40,000 cubic metres of oil storage.
New developments – the installation of mixers/blenders in heated fuel oil and vacuum gas oil (VGO) tanks and radar-based tank gauging technology – at Asnaes are part of an upgrade programme at all four Danish terminals.
AOT, one of four coastal oil terminals operated by Inter Terminals in Denmark, is capable of storing 430,000 cubic metres of products, with the other terminals located at Ensted, Stigsnaes and Gulfhavn. The AOT complex occupies a strategic position for international movement of fuel oil destined for Europe, Asia and the USA.
Inter Terminals’ most recent acquisition in Sweden strengthens the company’s position on the Baltic still further with four terminals totaling 1.2 million cubic metres at the country’s principal ports of Göteborg, Malmö, Södertälje and Gävle. Occupying prime positions that cover both the west coast and Baltic Sea product flows, the terminals provide specialist storage, handling, and distribution for a diverse range of products including fuel oil, diesel, jet fuel, VGO and bitumen.
“Average utilisation rates across our European storage network in the first three quarters of 2015 were 93% compared with 77% for the same period in 2014,” said chief executive Martyn Lyons.
“Our ongoing investment in this strategically important location means we’re ready and able to meet the fast changing needs of the market and our customers.”www.InterTerminals.com
OPW has completed the acquisition of Tokheim Group S.A.S.’s dispenser and systems businesses.
One of the most recognised brands in the retail fueling industry, Tokheim manufactures fuel dispensers, retail automation systems and payment solutions and hasa presence in Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia-Pacific.
“Both Tokheim and OPW have been leaders in the retail fueling industry for more than a century,” said David Crouse, OPW president. “By integrating Tokheim’s advanced line of dispensers and automation systems, the combined business will be able to offer our customers an unparalleled end-to-end fueling solution.”
Tokheim is the fifth major acquisition for OPW in the past two plus years, and matches previous acquisitions, including Fibrelite, KPS, Jump, Liquip, of category-leading brands outside the North American market.
“OPW’s goal is to bring the very best solutions to our customers in all regions of the world,” said Keith Moye, OPW VP of global marketing. “Our combined product portfolio now comprises the industry’s broadest product offering, enabling us to bring a more complete solution to our customers.”
www.opwglobal.com/opw-retail-fueling/tokheim-microsite
To open further discussions between government and industry on the subject of oil heating and oil buying groups, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has written to MPs and energy minister Amber Rudd.
With the need to combat fuel poverty and cut CO2 emissions high on the government agenda, the FPS is urging the government to offer additional help to off grid energy customers. This includes offering incentives to replace an estimated 900,000 old oil boilers with condensing boilers which would save every customer at least 20% off their fuel bills and reduce CO2 emissions at the same time.
The Thurrock facility has longer reach hoses, improved pump speed and additional pumps
Following ‘significant on-site investment’ Certas Energy reopened its Silwood depot refuelling facility at West Thurrock in late December.
The depot now offers 12 multi-product fill‑points (pumping derv, gas oil or Ad Blue) with increased pump speeds for faster refuelling, plus 24‑hour availability to enable HGVs to refuel all day, every day.
Andrew Goodwin, sales & operations manager, said: “Thurrock is our flagship bunkering facility with a storage capacity of 230,000 litres. Safety is our first priority. With our site operational 24 hours a day, we’ve taken extra measures to ensure customers are safe at all times, with state-of-the-art surveillance and electronic monitoring facilities to check stock levels and transactions.”
Gary Brown, driver trainer from bulk distributor, Reynolds Logistics, commented: “We have 25 drivers using this Thurrock facility, drawing on average 2,600 litres a day (13,000 a week). The location of the bunkering facility in Thurrock is particularly convenient, just a two minute drive from our own depot. Like a number of other haulage or distribution companies located in this part of London, we rely on our fleet being fuelled quickly and easily to go about our business. All of our drivers are allocated a fuel card, which makes the refuelling process smoother and stress-free for all involved.”fuelcards.certasenergy.co.uk/
Ken Taylor says ‘the team is a natural fit with Pen’s values of differentiation, expertise, added value and ease of doing business’
On 1st January 2016 the OAMPS Driver Training division of OAMPS (UK) became Pen Underwriting Driver Training with no changes to the terms of agreements with the company.
The Pen Driver Training team has 20+ years’ experience and has trained thousands of delegates and organised hundreds of training days both in the UK and abroad. The company offers specialist training services to customers, suppliers and contractors of the general fleet market, including hazardous haulage and tanker distribution.
Courses offered include ADR with Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) accredited initial and refresher courses delivered nationwide at registered training locations, or at customers’ premises subject to the SQA.
Driver CPC, Petroleum Driver Passport, Full PDP and with PDP drivers required to attend annual classroom training and practical assessments to maintain the validity of their PDP, a training refresher course is available along with a hazard awareness course.
Additional courses
The award was presented to Scania general manager Mark Wilson, Rhydian Harris, Scania Bristol service controller and ADR technician Dave Pougher by Scania’s managing director Claes Jacobsson
Scania Avonmouth has been awarded the HOYER dealer of the year shield.
The shield was awarded for achieving a 100% MOT first time pass rate, fleet availability of 96.9%, zero fleet safety incidents and 99.72% delivery performance. The team at Avonmouth looks after 7 trucks for HOYER Petrolog’s Esso estate business based at the Esso Fuel Terminal in Avonmouth.
Dave Pougher from Scania Avonmouth took the technician of the year award for “creating an excellent preventative maintenance culture leading to greater customer up time, as well as controlling costs.”
The outstanding achiever award was won by Kevin Hood from Scania Purfleet. HOYER Purfleet manager Joe Lydiate described Kevin as having a “can-do” attitude and being a “real cornerstone of the HOYER-Scania relationship”.
Congratulating this year’s winners Matthew Cox, fleet engineer at HOYER, said: “These awards recognise the strong working relationship between HOYER and the Scania team who have helped deliver exceptional performance contributing to improved service levels for the fleet in 2015.”
A fundraiser for Transaid to coincide with the awards raised £2000 for the charity.www.hoyer-group.com/en/contact/locations/europa/grossbritannien/www.scania.co.uk
Thirty expert speakers are lined up for StocExpo 2016 which takes place in Antwerp from 15-17 March 2016.
Ensuring visitors get highly relevant local content plus a global perspective speakers will include Karl-Heinz Schult-Bornemann, assistant professor at the Otto-von-Guericke Universitat who will take a look at the global energy outlook and fracking, whilst Earl Crochet, director of business development at Kinder Morgan, will update attendees on terminal operations in North America.
The future of Fujairah as an oil and trading hub will be presented by Muthukrishnan Prabakaran, global head of terminals at Gulf Petrochem. He will also look at the potential for crude storage growth and major refining projects in the Middle East that could impact demand.
Interesting times for the storage market – what next for 2016? will be the topic of Boudewijn Siemons, managing director of Vopak Belgium whilst Charles Smissaert, managing director at Botlek Tank Terminal, will consider whether there is Still room for growth in Europe.
Delivering safety content will be Sandra De Bont, executive director at VOTOB and Mike O’Brien, head of marketing at Newson Gale, who will present the latest European (2015) and US (2014) guidance for preventing fires and explosions caused by static electricity. Ahmet Yavuz, inspection superintendent – tank farm/oil movements at Tupras will discuss Inspection and maintenance planning, exploring the safe operating practices for maintaining tank integrity, tank standard practices and variables, plus the seven steps of tank integrity management systems.
Event manager Nick Powell said: “We attract visitors from 61 countries so we felt that it was important to not only explore critical regional issues but to also provide a global perspective. It’s our most comprehensive and international programme yet.”
StocExpo 2016 also features a packed exhibition hall, with over 200 suppliers from across the globe using the show to launch products & services into the market.
For more information on visiting the exhibition, booking as a delegate for the conference or becoming a media partner, please call +44 (0)20 8843 8800 or visit the event website – see below and right hand side.
Following the acquisition of 78 Esso petrol stations by MRH GB in March last year, a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation has raised concerns.
With sites acquired at Brighton and Cambridge being close to other MRH sites in the area, there are fears that a lack of competition could lead to drivers paying higher petrol and diesel prices in these areas.
Rather than face a full scale enquiry, the CMA has requested that MRH, which is the UK’s largest petrol station owner and operator with over 450 sites branded Esso, BP or TORQ, seeks an acceptable solution. The latter is proposing to sell its MRH Girton or Esso City site in Cambridge and its Esso Patcham site in Brighton.
The CMA opened MRH’s acceptable solution to public consultation and interested parties had until last Thursday to make their views known. A CMA decision on the MRH proposal is expected in February.
assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/…/MRH_full_text_decision.pdf
www.mrhgb.co.uk
After government figures released last month showed the number of excess winter deaths in 2014/15 were up 151% on the previous year, OFTEC has called for a fairer deal for those living in fuel poverty.
The majority of excess deaths last winter (36,300) occurred among people aged 75 and over and although the large increase has been partly attributed to an ineffective flu vaccine, another important factor was that many vulnerable people could not afford to adequately heat their homes.
“In this day and age it’s totally unacceptable that we’re still seeing such a large number of people dying from the cold,” said Jeremy Hawksley, OFTEC director general.
“One of the main problems is that UK housing stock is amongst the least energy efficient in Europe, with poor insulation and old, inefficient heating which leads to higher fuel bills. Many older, rural properties have the worst Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F and G and OFTEC says more needs to be done to urgently improve the energy efficiency of these properties.
“OFTEC continues to urge government to rethink the UK’s current heating strategy which leaves too many people out in the cold, with off grid consumers getting a particularly poor deal.”
“The UK desperately needs a combined energy efficiency and carbon reduction policy that works. We would also like to see more support to better insulate rural homes to stop them ‘leaking’ heat and a universal boiler scrappage scheme to encourage consumers to switch to high efficiency, modern condensing boilers.”
In partnership with Age UK, OFTEC has republished its Keeping Warm This Winter booklet. Download a PDF at www.oilsave.org.uk/OilSmart.
Greenergy has also reached agreement with Royal Vopak to purchase its one third share in the joint venture that owns Thames Oilport and Thames Enterprise Park. (Shell retains its existing third share). New engineering work carried out at the Thames Oilport will allow the storage of diesel to commence next year
Macquarie Capital and Greenergy are to establish Navigator Terminals through acquisition of Royal Vopak’s UK operating storage assets and Greenergy North Tees
Behind Navigator Terminals (Navigator) are Macquarie Capital and Greenergy which have partnered to acquire Royal Vopak’s UK storage facilities at West Thurrock on the Thames, Seal Sands at Teesside and Windmill near Cardiff. Simultaneously, Navigator will also acquire the operational storage assets of Greenergy North Tees at Teesside.
These acquisitions will give Navigator an initial storage capacity of approximately 1.5 million cubic meters, making it the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage provider. Each terminal is strategically located in an area of significant regional demand.
“Our participation in Navigator ensures our continued access to the infrastructure assets that currently underpin our UK supply position,” says Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive.
“It gives us greater flexibility at these facilities, ensuring we will be best placed to deliver low cost and resilient fuel supply for our customers in the long-term. As an infrastructure investment company, Navigator will also provide a vehicle to fund further infrastructure acquisitions supporting our continued growth in the fuels sector.”
Neil Arora, senior managing director, Macquarie Capital said: “Greenergy is the leading provider of wholesale fuels in the UK and uniquely placed to lead investment in the UK storage sector. We are delighted to partner with Greenergy to establish Navigator Terminals. This transaction is another example of the flexible, partnership capital Macquarie Capital is able to deploy to support clients globally.”
There are no plans to change existing operations or management and staff of the terminals. Navigator will continue to provide ongoing fuel, crude oil and chemical storage for a wide range of customers at the terminals. Greenergy will continue as principal customer of Navigator for fuel storage at the West Thurrock and Teesside terminals. Navigator is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety across its operations and will combine the best of Vopak’s and Greenergy’s safety systems and culture at all facilities.
As part of the transaction Greenergy has entered into long-term off take agreements with Navigator at West Thurrock, Seal Sands and North Tees, where it currently stores and supplies fuel. In addition, Navigator has committed to build a new diesel pipeline to link the deep water jetty at North Tees with the neighbouring Seal Sands terminal, further integrating these two facilities and increasing operational efficiencies for the benefit of all customers.
The acquisitions are scheduled to complete towards the end of the first quarter 2016.www.greenergy.comwww.macquarie.com
“Vianet Fuel Solutions is a natural fit for the Wayne business as it helps further our goal to offer fuel management capabilities to our customers,” said Neil Thomas, chief executive officer at Wayne Fueling Systems.
“The Vianet business already has existing customers in the UK, has a knowledgeable team, and has competitive and comprehensive fuel management services which complements our product and services offerings,” added Neil.
The UK-based Vianet Fuel Solutions (VFS) includes two main product lines as part of the Wayne acquisition: Fuel Management Services (FMS) and Construction Forecourt Services (CFS).
FMS is comprised of real-time wet stock management, asset management and compliance monitoring services. CFS aligns with Wayne’s current UK services business, although provides additional provisions including construction and electrical compliance services and tank lining.
“Over the past two years, Vianet has made significant commercial progress and has established a strong reputation in the UK forecourt sector. This transaction recognises the value which has been created,” noted James Dickson, chairman of Vianet Group plc.
“Whilst it will be sad to say farewell to the VFS team, I’m pleased that there’s a great fit with Wayne who will take VFS to the next stage of development and growth. This is a competitive landscape increasingly dominated by major global players such as Wayne.”
The closure of the acquisition is anticipated to occur in first quarter of 2016.
The StocExpo conference programme attracts the movers and shakers in the bulk liquid storage industry
After two years in Rotterdam, StocExpo returns to Antwerp Expo next year – the three-day event for the bulk liquid storage industry takes place on 15 –17th March.
“We’re delighted to have strong industry support from the Belgian and Dutch tank storage associations, BATO and VOTOB plus the Port of Antwerp is on board as official port supporter,” said Nick Powell, StocExpo & Tank Storage portfolio event manager.
StocExpo 2016 is the platform on which many exhibitors will launch new technologies and concepts and make major announcements. Over 150 companies from right across the tank storage supply chain have already signed-up including Scully Systems, CTS Netherlands BV, Mercon Steel Structures BV, Emerson Process Management, J. de Jonge Flowsystems BV, Emco Wheaton and Endress + Hauser.
“StocExpo is one of the shows we look forward most to attending,” said Loadtec’s marketing manager Angeline Radley. “StocExpo goes a long way in helping Loadtec establish critical business relationships with partners and customers alike. It remains unrivalled in terms of the reach and exposure to our current and potential customers in the European storage market.”
Day one of the 2016 conference programme will cover market analysis, day two will look at opportunities and finance with day three focusing on innovative technology. There will also be sessions dedicated to the international market, particularly focusing on storage developments in the US and Middle East.
Among those sharing insights and experience at the conference will be Vopak, the Port of Antwerp, National Bank of Belgium and Zeeland Sea Ports; the full speaker line-up will be announced fully in the coming weeks.StocExpo 2016
15 – 17 March 2016
Antwerp Expo
Antwerpwww.easyfairs.com/events_216/stocexpo-antwerp-2016_74791/stocexpo-antwerp-2016_75090/news-press_75105/testimonials_77407/
Assist Resourcing Group and its national logistics training business, System Training, opened a new driver training and test centre in Widnes last month.
Dave Dargan, CEO of the Assist Resourcing Group said the company is investing to provide the skilled drivers that Britain’s transport industry needs.
“Our new System Training centre in Widnes will provide a springboard for the enhanced delivery of our driver services to regional and national businesses /organisations. With a growing team of experts and the inclusion of additional training capacity, we’re playing our part in driving up standards and addressing the national driver shortage.”
The facility consists of a suite of three specially designed classrooms, an outside manoeuvring area, a fleet of LGV training vehicles as well as a team of experienced instructors enabling candidates to gain the required skills, experience and certifications for a career in driving commercial vehicles of all sizes.
The centre is also a DVSA approved test centre where individuals will be able to undertake training and take their LGV driving test as an integrated package thus helping relieve the current bottleneck on test availability.
This investment by Assist greatly increases its capability to grow its own driver pool and offer more professionally trained LGV drivers to its customers.
System Training is running a number of specially designed programmes to train people to become LGV drivers. These programmes include its Warehouse to Wheels scheme, which aims to train more than 100 warehouse staff a year to become drivers.
The new Driving Ambition programme will also be available, opening up more opportunities for local unemployed people to retrain as part of an intensive eight-week course to be ready for work as drivers.
Working in partnership with a number of employers System Training also provides a young persons Driving Goods Vehicle apprenticeship programme which enables a young person over a 12-month period to acquire their LGV licence and be trained and gain experience of being a professional driver.
System Training is one of the UK’s leading logistics training providers. It works with logistics and utility companies, military and government departments, local authorities, national corporations and small businesses as well as the self-employed.
www.system-training.com
Ian Jackson – ‘chuffed to bits to be driving around in the Gulf livery’
A Gulf customer living at Denny in Falkirk has won the star prize – a brand new Mini Cooper – in Gulf’s recent forecourt promotion.
Liveried in the iconic blue and orange Gulf branding, Ian Jackson collected the car from Haugh’s Filling Station in Denny, where his winning entry was purchased.
To enter the competition, Ian purchased £25 of fuel, after which he entered his receipt details into the competition website.
“I’ve never won anything before so, when I received the call initially, I almost didn’t believe it,” said Ian.
“Haugh’s is my local filling station, just half a mile from my home, which I drive past on the way into work. Once the competition opened, I changed my usual £50 weekly refuel to a £25 twice-weekly refill, just so I could enter multiple times. I’m so pleased that I didn’t throw away the receipt, as I wouldn’t own this car if I had! I’ll be chuffed to bits driving around in the Gulf livery; I’ll be the only person in the country with a car like this, which is pretty special.”
Colin Levy, retail operations manager at Certas Energy commented:
“It’s one of the perks of my job to notify a customer that they’ve won a fantastic prize such as this. Everyone working at Haugh’s is chuffed that the winning fuel receipt was purchased at their site. A big ‘thank you’ also goes to Londis which generously donated a superb hamper to Ian.
Pictured at Dublin Airport – Lynn Drumgoole from Retail Excellence Ireland , Paul Candon, group corporate services director at Topaz and Goal CEO Barry Andrews
Drop in centres at over 300 Topaz service stations across Ireland have played their part in the collection of over two tonnes of essential items for the Goal charity’s Syrian Appeal.
Topaz, recently acquired by Canadian company Couche-Tard, was partnered in the initiative by a number of organisations including the daa, which manages Cork and Dublin airports, Masterlink Logistics and Retail Excellence Ireland. The blankets and quilts, warm jackets, waterproof boots, clothes and sleeping bags which were collected were then flown to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight.
Paul Candon, Topaz Group corporate services director said the initiative had received wonderful support from the public.
“The conflict in Syria is causing untold hardship for the citizens of that country. This aid will go directly to the refugee camps where it is needed most. We would like to thank all the people who donated so generously as well as our staff and dealers who facilitated the collection of the aid throughout our network. We were delighted to support this excellent initiative and wish Goal well with their vital work in Syria.”
“By providing this assistance we have ensured that at least some of the many millions of Syrian families displaced from their homes by conflict will stay warm as the cold winter months approach,” said Barry Andrews, Goal CEO.
The general public can still support GOAL’s appeal through its website www.goalglobal.org
The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of the best tank farms and terminals from over 100 nominated companies. Finalists and winners can be found at www.oilterminal.org/nominations-2015
Major oil companies across Russia and Europe attended last month’s 10th Congress on the trading and transportation of crude oil, LPG and petroleum products in St. Petersburg.
More than 300 representatives of the government, business and analyst communities attended the strategic congress with more than 150 people attending Tank Farms and Oil Terminals: from advanced design to efficient operations. There were large delegations of technical experts with the speakers’ panel featuring 35 technical representatives from oil terminals, tank farms, regulators, environmentalists, experts on ecology and industrial safety companies.
Given the complexity of the political situation in the world, participants in the strategic congress – Transneft, Gazpromneft, Chernomortransneft, Port Kozmino port of Primorsk and Ust-Luga Oil – discussed their development strategy.
Stressing the importance of having not only the support of government bodies but also an efficient interaction of a public-private partnerships, state operator Rosmorport spoke of port infrastructure investment projects in the north west Russia.
Taking the opportunity to share the latest insights into trading opportunities in the era of cheap oil were the popular trader debates with representatives from Bashneft, St Petersburg International Commodity Exchange, Transneft and Sun Light Petroleum.
The development of oil and gas transportation and the complexity of marine and river transportation were discussed by representatives from Prime Shipping and Palmali.http://www.oilterminal.org/en