News 32
The inaugural Innovation and Technology in Transport (ITT Hub) event made its debut last week (30 June-1 July 2021) – the largest show of its kind in 40 years – to spearhead the future of transport and revolutionise the commercial vehicle market as the industry transitions to net zero emissions and strives to reach maximum efficiency.
As the virtual doors open tomorrow – 7th July at UKIFDA EXPO 2021 and Future Fuels Conference, some of the exhibitors at this year’s virtual exhibition have revealed launch plans for products and services during the 2-day event, UKIFDA has announced.
“The excitement levels are definitely rising now we know more details of what the exhibitors have lined up for us all during our first virtual UKIFDA EXPO 2021,” says Ken Cronin, UKIFDA chief executive.
“Visitors to the virtual exhibition hall will be able to see over 45 exhibitors, and many have great plans for unveiling innovative, green and customer-focussed products, technology and services during the virtual event – and some have already shared what they will be doing.
“Some will be holding live demonstrations at the EXPO and all will be engaging positively with delegates, explaining the key features of their products and services and highlighting the benefits for customers too.”
UKIFDA EXPO organiser the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association has confirmed what several of this this year’s exhibitors intend to promote to delegates during the event.
UKIFDA membership and events manager, Dawn Shakespeare comments: “We can’t wait for our first ever online exhibition and Future Fuels conference to get underway – we have lined up so many innovative companies that are bursting to share their new products and demonstrate the appeal to the liquid fuel distribution industry.
“In fitting with the focus of this year’s show – the investment our industry is making in renewable liquid fuels and future plans for decarbonising residential heating – ElimiNox Ltd is exhibiting and has a new product to unveil. This company makes Fuel Conditioner that is used in all carbon-based fuels to reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines and oil burners, by reducing CO2 by 30% and boosting fuel efficiency by 8%.
“The new product ElimiNox will have on display is its Diesel Bug Buster. This emulsifies free water into the fuel to prevent diesel bug from breeding.
“Another product designed to keep consumers’ oil clean and fresh for maximum efficiency, is Centre Tank Services Ltd’s aqua fighter water absorber that removes free and emulsified water from fuel to keep customers’ fuel water free at all times. Unlike other water absorbers, it cuts water content levels down to less than 75ppm – meeting and exceeding the EN590 diesel fuel standards of 200ppm.
“In addition, Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd will be launching a new solution at EXPO and will hold a live demonstration of their platform during UKIFDA EXPO.
“MechTronic is also launching its latest product at EXPO 2021 and delivering a live demonstration – of its OptiControl, a remote control that supports and enables you to fully manage your OptiMate delivery. OptiMate is an electronic metering system and the new remote features an LCD screen that shows the volume of fuel being delivered, alongside other relevant data.
“Kingspan Energy Management Systems will be displaying their latest generation telemetry monitoring devices. Saying ‘Telemetry devices fitted to customers tanks enables level data to be seamlessly imported via API feed to fuel distributor’s software systems – typically CODAS & Fuelsoft (no need for file sending) – enabling auto-ticket generation.
“Distributors can also view, monitor, and export tank data across their entire population through the Connect Sensor platform, which now comes with the addition of a mapping function.
“Visitors to the Ful Additive Science Technologies Ltd virtual exhibition booth will be able to see their range of fuel additives for use in domestic, off-road, transport and industrial applications and in a range of fuel grades and the company has announced they are now the distributors for the Oil Sponge products of Phaseiii (USA).
“Hazchem Safety Ltd have a variety of new products on display for the first time including the HAZTEC Caravel FR AS Jacket, Triple Stitch Seam Jacket, with EN ISO 20471 Class 1 certification.
“They will also be debuting the HAZTEC FR AS ‘Green’ Coverall constructed in Sustainable and Natural ModacrylicECO™ blend fabric, designed with eco-conscious customers and our planet in mind.
“These are just a few of the launches and demonstrations we have in store for visitors at UKIFDA EXPO this year – there will also be an array of new products and services with industry-wide appeal, and also networking, knowledge sharing and business news, with key topics being debated and important information being relayed through keynote speaker presentations – all via our virtual hub Whova.”
UKIFDA EXPO 2021 will still have sponsors for the two days, with AON Plc and Cobo Tankers and Services sponsoring each day of the conference together with the EXPO headline sponsor Phillips 66 Ltd.
Ken Cronin concludes: “It is exciting to see what exhibitors have planned for the two days.
“Visitors to our online exhibition hall will have easy access to all exhibitors and enjoy the freedom to choose which live launches they engage with as well as which presentation, seminar or networking opportunity they partake in.
“Visitors to the UKIFDA virtual booth will be able to talk through UKIFDA membership packages, learn more about the training we offer including our comprehensive driver training packages and discuss industry plans to introduce renewable liquid fuels and our Future Ready Fuel campaign.”
To find out more about this year’s virtual UKIFDA EXPO visit ukifda.org/ukifda-expo and to sign up to the exhibition visit https://whova.com/portal/registration/uaifd_202006/.
Eurotank Environmental is taking tank cleaning to the next level with the launch of an unmanned service using remote-operated robots.Investment in two Zone 0 robots enables Eurotank to offer an unmanned tank cleaning service for underground and above-ground storage tanks that is every bit as effective as manned entry.
Wrightbus, already leading the world with its pioneering hydrogen technology, today unveiled the latest addition to its zero-emission arsenal – a rapid-charge electric double-deck.
North West fuel supplier Crown Oil is now running its entire fleet on renewable diesel fuel as it commits to reduce its direct CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent.
The Greater Manchester business, part of the £420m-turnover Crown Oil family of companies, believes it is the first supplier in the UK to run all of its oil delivery vehicles on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
Crown Oil, based in Bury, has now called on the UK government to introduce tax relief on fuels such as HVO to encourage greater uptake.
The family-owned business predicts a saving of around 3,080 tonnes of CO2 in 12 months from running its 85 delivery vehicles on HVO compared to standard diesel. To put this into context, one tonne of carbon dioxide is the average emission of one passenger on a return flight between Paris and New York.
Crown’s fleet is made up of HGVs, pickups, trailers and vans which are all approved to run on HVO fuel without technical adjustments or any reduction in vehicle performance.
HVO offers a fast and simple step towards net zero without the need for electrification or vehicle modifications, reducing net CO2 emissions by 90 per cent and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 27 per cent.
Managing director Matthew Greensmith said it was important for Crown Oil to set the standard as it aims to become the UK’s leading alternative fuels supplier. The move showcases the fuel’s ability to perform faultlessly as a diesel alternative, he said, and will enable the business to significantly reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions.
Matthew said: “We can’t expect others to make a change without leading by example, and we’re proud to run our entire fleet on HVO.
“We believe we’re currently the first and only UK supplier to power our vehicles with the renewable diesel and we hope it encourages businesses to go green with their fleets too.”
Since heavily investing in HVO in 2018, Crown’s customers have saved 18,945 tonnes of CO2 by switching over to the renewable diesel. Crown HVO can be used in vehicles, commercial boilers (running on gas oil), tractors, generators, machinery and inland waterway vessels.
The oil supplier is pioneering change within the industry and has called on the UK government to follow the example of Sweden by introducing duty relief on fuels such as HVO to encourage uptake.
Matthew added: “When it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we hope the government will adopt a multi-point strategy to include the use of high-content renewable fuels in addition to the development of the electric vehicle market.
“In 2017, the Swedish government passed a bill that enabled biofuels to be subject to tax exemption, which led to a 124% increase in HVO sales in October 2017 compared with the previous year.
“The UK government is planning to scrap red diesel duty relief for many sectors from 1 April 2022 to encourage the use of cleaner alternatives and we are calling for duty relief on fuels such as HVO to help encourage uptake.”
In May this year, the Clipper Freeport – a VLGC (Very Large Gas Carrier which can carry approx. 44,000 mts of LPG) carrying LPG from the Phillips 66 Freeport LPG Export Terminal on the Gulf of Mexico, docked at Immingham Port on England’s east coast.
Chartered by Phillips 66 since its maiden voyage in 2017, the Clipper Freeport was the first-ever VLGC to enter Immingham – the largest vessel to enter the Port.
A complex operation made possible by a seamless collaborative effort between London Commercial, Humber caverns and APT/ABP – the two-port schedule saw 25 KMT of refrigerated propane successfully discharged before heading to Europe for its second discharge.
Measuring 230.11 metres in length with a 32-metre breadth and a 11.5 metre draft, the vessel is so vast that Phillips 66 had to have a new gangway constructed.
Paul Turner, Phillips 66 Limited LPG sales manager in the UK made his way to Immingham Caverns to welcome the Clipper Freeport and was invited onboard to check out this monumental supertanker: “The Clipper Freeport really is an immensely impressive vessel and equally so when on board. Apart from the sheer scale, what struck me most about this world-class LPG carrier is how immaculate every part of the ship is – considering the nature of her operations. An extraordinary environment managed and maintained by an expert, dedicated crew. They even have a basketball court on deck!”
Whilst LPG is primarily produced and supplied into the UK market by Phillips 66 Limited’s Humber facility, it is supplemented by imported propane to meet increasing customer demand.
The Tank Storage Association (TSA) has published its 2021 Annual Review of the UK’s bulk liquid storage sector. The review contains key data and information on terminals, process safety, occupational health and safety as well as on the industry’s contribution to the UK economy.
Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association, said: “I am pleased to launch the sixth edition of TSA’s Annual Review. The review continues to provide a comprehensive and timely insight into the bulk liquid storage sector in the UK. In addition to valuable industry data and information, this year’s report shines a light on the sector’s commitment to attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent. As we look ahead, it is clear to us that investing in the next generation today will ensure our sector continues to go from strength to strength.”
For an electronic copy of the 2021 Annual Review, click here.
Employees of Grangemouth based Rix Petroleum will begin the eight-mile-long climb and descent of Ben Nevis on Saturday 3rd July, raising £2000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
The foundation supports people with motor neuron disease (MND) and is named after former Scottish rugby player Doddie Weir, who was himself diagnosed with MND.
Having always wanted to climb the iconic peak, Gail Fawcett, business unit manager at Rix Petroleum, came up with the idea and roped in colleagues Lisa Welsh, Ian Patterson, Ross MacRae, Paul Graham and Connor O’Hagen to join her in the challenge, along with more friends and family members.
Rix Petroleum started supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation earlier this year. The charity’s two main objectives are to raise funds to invest into MND research and support people living with the condition to have as full a life as possible.
Gail said: “Ben Nevis is a true Scottish icon and so is Doddie Weir. They’re both giants in their own right. So, when it came to raising money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, summiting the UK’s highest peak seemed like the only appropriate thing to do. Plus, I’ve always wanted to climb it, so it was too good an opportunity to miss.
“We’ve all started training and with just a couple of weeks to go, the excitement is building. I think we can do it in around eight hours, but other members of the team are thinking a bit quicker, so there could be a bit of competition on the day.”
UKIFDA has revealed it will be donating £2,000 to National Energy Action (NEA) from the proceeds of this year’s UKIFDA EXPO and Future Fuels conference being held on 7-8 July.
“We are delighted to announce our plans to donate £2,000 to NEA from the profits of our UKIFDA EXPO 2021,” says Ken Cronin, UKIFDA chief executive.
The 2021 winner of the prestigious ‘Driver of the Year’ award will, this year, be presented at a virtual ceremony during UKIFDA EXPO 2021 and Future Fuels on 7-8th July 2021. As well as the coveted title the winner will also receive £1000 prize money and certificate and, most importantly, the recognition of the industry in a year of unprecedented challenges that has seen many of the industry’s drivers go well beyond the ‘extra mile’ on behalf of their customers and colleagues. Sponsored by OAMPS – the specialist insurance advisor to the hazardous fuels and environmental industries – the 2021 Driver of the Year Award will celebrate the best UKIFDA member drivers in the industry.
Redruth-based Mitchell and Webber, the first company in the UK to put HVO fuel to the test during the successful trials started last November, has supplied the renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil to heat a primary school in Gwinear.
Mitchell and Webber director John Weedon commented: “We all appreciate the need to help the environment as a priority and these trials are to ensure the fuel will work well when converting existing set-ups.
“We are pleased that only a low-cost conversion is needed in many cases and so far tests are extremely promising with all boilers performing well.”
Gwinear Community Primary School is the first in the country to use the renewable liquid fuel. Head teacher, Lee Gardiner, said: “Since our school is such a historic building it is extremely difficult to insulate using more modern techniques. Installing a completely new system would likely be disruptive to daily school life and could possibly damage such an important structure.
“So when I saw the success of Mitchell and Webber’s HVO conversions in other settings across Cornwall, I knew I had found the perfect option for Gwinear.”
Local MP and Secretary of State for environment, food and rural affairs, George Eustice, said on visiting the school: “It could be a very important stepping stone on the way to net zero in rural areas like this.
“There are a lot of people still reliant on old oil-fired boilers and this is a more environmentally-friendly fuel.
“They’re getting good results on boilers large and small.”
Fuel Oil News looks forward to seeing more success stories highlighting the positive future for alternative liquid fuels.
Despite objections, Certas Energy’s plans for a new £1.5 million fuel depot on the Isle of Wight have been given the go ahead, with Certas promising to be on the Island “for the long-haul”.
Logistics UK’s ever-popular Transport Manager conference series – sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres –will return in autumn 2021 with live events planned at 11 venues around the UK. The conferences will highlight key issues for fleet managers, providing professional advice, and helping them remain compliant and up to speed on the latest legislative developments.
This year’s conferences will give delegates the chance to hear from a range of senior industry figures and policy makers, and the business group’s experts will be on hand throughout the day to advise on legislation and compliance issues. Topics to be covered by the event’s knowledgeable speakers will include logistics in urban centres, low emission vehicles, working safely with alternative fuels, a compliance update and much more.
James Firth, Logistics UK’s head of road freight regulation policy, comments: “We are delighted to once again be running this conference series in person. These popular conferences enable busy transport managers to stay up to date with ever-changing legislation and good practice advice. Compliance is vital in the logistics industry; it has been a challenging 12 months for operators and the Transport Manager conferences provide operators with peace of mind that they are equipped with all the information they need, as well as giving them the opportunity to hear from senior figures in the industry and have their questions answered.”
Greg Ward, Bridgestone’s commercial business unit director, said: “Bridgestone Tyres is thrilled to be sponsoring Logistics UK’s Transport Manager series, with each event allowing us to share our ground-breaking commercial products and services with the perfect audience. The conferences provide an invaluable insight into many of the burning issues facing the industry and the broad range of topics they will touch upon shares so much in common with our business as a whole. We are looking forward to meeting with delegates face to face once again and discussing how we can help their business needs.”
The price for Logistics UK members is £299 plus VAT for the first delegate and £269 plus VAT for subsequent delegates; for non-Logistics UK members the cost is £399 plus VAT for the first delegate and £369 plus VAT for subsequent delegates. This price includes access to all the exclusive conference sessions, a full package of refreshments throughout the day and a take-home bag packed with useful information.
Transport manager will be touring the UK from September to December 2021:
21 September – Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton
29 September – Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle
5 October – AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester
12 October – Culloden Estate & Spa, Belfast
19 October – East of England Showground, Peterborough
21 October – London Heathrow Marriott, London
2 November – Haynes Motor Museum, Yeovil
17 November – Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster
23 November – Macdonald Inchrya, Scotland
25 November – St Pierre Marriott, Wales
2 December – Ricoh Arena, Coventry
For further information, or to book a place, please visit: www.logistics.org.uk/transport-manager
Preparations are now in the final stages for the free Innovation and Technology in Transport event, ITT Hub, which takes place from 30th June to 1st July with the news that the event – the largest show of its kind in 40 years – can go ahead as planned under the latest Covid-19 restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on 14 June 2021.
Kevin Green, marketing & communications director at Logistics UK explains: “Covid-19 safety is of the utmost importance and consideration for social distancing and sanitation measures have been prioritised in every aspect of the event’s planning; Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre’s team has been rigorous in taking every possible step to protect visitors to the show.”
More than 150 of the UK’s most innovative manufacturers, including Volta Trucks, Fiat, Ford and DAF Trucks, as well as key government departments and agencies, will be showcasing their cutting-edge services, products, strategies and ideas over the two-day event. More than 30 speakers will be presenting at Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference, including Major Tim Peake CMG.
There will be a requirement for face masks to be worn indoors, track and trace will be in place via the registration process and temperature checks will operate at entrances. In order to ensure the safety of all attendees and smooth operation at the venue, visitors and exhibitors must register in advance of the event, print off their badges and present them at the entrance for scanning.
To book your free place to the exhibition and conference, please visit www.itthub.co.uk/
Fuel oil distributors (FODs) can make significant efficiency and profitability gains by fitting the latest generation telemetry monitoring devices to customers’ tanks, according to Kingspan Energy Management Systems ahead of UKIFDA 2021 (virtual event, 7-8 July 2021).
Telemetry devices fitted to customers tanks enables level data to be seamlessly imported via API feed to an FOD’s software systems – typically CODAS & Fuelsoft (no need for file sending) – enabling auto-ticket generation.
FODs can also view, monitor and export tank data across their entire population through the Connect Sensor platform, which now comes with the addition of a mapping function.
“Increasingly, our fuel distribution customers not only use the data to auto-generate orders, they are also using it to reduce delivery frequency and optimise routing,” says Nick Hawkins, Kingspan’s commercial director UK & Ireland.
“It means they’re able to significantly cut travel time and left-on-boards thanks to more accurate planning.”
He continues: “We’ve been at the forefront of developments in tank and telemetry systems, working closely with our FOD partners, for many years.
“One of our key strengths is that we now have a suite of telemetry devices. That means, whatever the application, we have the most accurate and cost-effective solution, whether it be a plastic tank, steel tank, domestic, commercial, diesel dispenser, or a mobile bowser.
“Our devices are compatible with a range of connectivities such as 2G, 3G, NB-IoT, LoRa & SIGFOX. And our new Watchman Radar unit reads the tank level without the need to drill a hole, making it an ideal solution for plastic tanks owned by domestic customers.”
Click here for more information.
Kingspan Energy Management Solutions will be showcasing its “smart” tank monitoring systems at UKIFDA 2020 (virtual event), on 7-8 July 2021.
Essar Oil (UK) Limited (EOUK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Bullock as independent non-executive director.
Certas Energy’s new fuel depot on the Isle of Wight has been recommended for approval by the planning authority.
Croftamie based James D Bilsland recently shared images of its brand new tanker, running on HVO.
Jodie Allan, manager, James D Bilsland commented: “We have just purchased a new truck from RTN and have made the decision to run this vehicle on HVO, enabling us to reduce our carbon emissions by up to 90% with this vehicle and start decarbonising the rest of our fleet. We are pleased to be able to offer this fuel to customers looking to decarbonise, as it is a great product that produces positive results without any modification to vehicles.”
The company is currently partaking in the first trials of using HVO renewable fuels as an alternative to home heating oil in Scotland, as part of the future fuels trial.
Jodie continued: “We are so far pleased with how HVO is performing as an alternative to Kerosene in the domestic market within a property that we have converted.”
A specialist Midlands oil and waste recycling firm has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.
Slicker Recycling, which specialises in the collection and recycling of waste oils and commercial garage waste from across the UK, has been named as a finalist in this year’s National Awards for Excellence in recycling and waste management.
The Stourport-On-Severn company, which handles over 75 million litres of used lubricating oil every year, is shortlisted in the ‘Circular Economy Success’ category for the successful launch of its £70 million base oil re-refinery in Denmark which it opened in July 2020 in a joint venture with its German partners, Avista AG.
The state-of-the-art facility, which sees used lubricating oils transported from the UK, regenerates over 100,000 tonnes of used engine and machine oil annually – giving a variety of environmental benefits, including reduced CO2 emissions.
UKIFDA is pleased to announce the shortlist for the inaugural UKIFDA Innovation Award, sponsored by Fuel Oil News. The successful nominations are from:
Eliminox
Crown Oil
Mitchell & Webber
Join the Awards Ceremony at UKIFDA EXPO 2021 & Future Fuels, taking place on 7th July, to find out who is the winner.
Attis Credit Solutions is a new name to the sector but is made up of a team of specialist credit insurance brokers whose experience spans over 70 years. Recently founded by Paul Martin and Steve Hamstead, you can read more about Attis in our July issue of Fuel Oil News.
With UK developments in sustainable fuel increasing both the range available, as well as the ways in which they can be used, OTS Group identified the need to ensure that there are appropriate fuel delivery, storage and maintenance systems available for these sustainable fuels. Working with organisations like the Fuel Experts Association (FEA), which represents companies who are developing clean energy and clean liquid biofuels such as HVO, the group has developed its sustainable fuels storage offering.
OTS Group, the UK distributor for the ‘Green’ storage tanks, is leading the way to aid end users with temporary (and permanent) storage solutions for sustainable fuels, which are available for purchase, hire or loan, while they evaluate their desired route for sustainability.
The flagship products are the double-walled polyethylene tanks intended for storage and distribution of HVO (or other biodiesel fuels). These tanks are made of high-quality polyethylene, the main feature of which is resistance to various weather conditions and come with built in dispensing equipment stowed in a secure cabinet.
The AdBlue® tanks are made of special materials compliant with DIN 70 070, a European Chemical Industry standard, due to the corrosive properties of the substance.
“Throughout this constant evolution, innovation has remained the underlying principle to everything we do,” comments OTS Group chairman, Bruce Woodal, and managing director Steve Gain believes that there is a bright future for clean drop-in fuels: “One of the main opportunities for these fuels is that they can be manufactured to directly replace conventional fossil fuels (so called “drop-in” fuels) which means that the uptake is likely to be quick and widespread as it can be used by the existing fleet.”
There are currently in excess of 34 million passenger vehicles on the road in the UK using conventional engines, and more will be added between now and 2035.
As the official UK agent of Piusi and a leading supplier of fuel equipment to OEM tank manufacturers, Centre Tank Services Ltd (CTS) is happy to announce that all Piusi products for diesel are 100% compatible with HVO, GTL and other paraffinic fuels made according to EN 15940:2019. After months of in-house testing, CTS is also pleased to confirm that its own product range including tank alarms and levels probes is suitable for use with HVO and GTL fuels.
This is a great step forward as, with no costly infrastructure changes in terms of storage, handling and vehicles, HVO and GTL are simply “drop-in” replacements for diesel. Given the UK Government’s ambitious emission targets, the future of the fuel industry relies on the uptake of these green liquid fuels over the coming years. Centre Tank Services Ltd hopes to see the adoption of a similar model to the Swedish one, whereby making HVO completely tax-exempt saw a 124% increase in usage.
You can find the full statement from Centre Tank Services at www.centretank.com.
Nicholl Fuel Oils has installed Northern Ireland’s first hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuelling facility at its Carryduff 24-hour forecourt with plans to make this new, renewable biofuel available across all of the Nicholl Auto 365 forecourts as well as available for bulk purchase in 2021/2022.