Vopak into e-commerce

Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC) has leased out 12 hectares of port land at Port Botany to three existing operators all suffering space constraints. A tender process for the vacant land at Molineux Point saw Smith Bros, P&O Trans- Australia and Vopak emerge as the successful bidders.

Tank container operators, like the rest of the tank industry, remain rooted at the bottom of the current deep market depression. Despite pressures for further consolidation, the sector is locked into a phase of intense competition during which the emphasis has been on in-house cost-cutting measures.

Vopak has made a cash offer of US$443 mill for Ellis & Everard, which has been unanimously supported by the UK-based chemical distributor’s board.

BP, Vopak, Petroplus and Marquand & Bahls have launched an Internet-based portal and online exchange for barging operations on the River Rhine. Shippers, integrated barge owner companies, independent barge brokers and individual barge owners will be able to make use of the new portal, which also has the support of the Rhine Barge Owners Association