Revision for ERIC

19 European transport companies have signed up to the Responsible Care programme of the European Chemical Transport Association

Optimising supply chain efficiencies provides the European chemical industry with its best chance of survival in an increasingly competitive global market. However, a new mindset is needed.

Tank cleaning and repair depot operators are the unsung heroes of the global tank container industry. They have the unenviable task of servicing tanks in a competitive, time-sensitive marketplace ruled by a set of safety and environmental protection standards that are becoming increasingly stringent.

The cleaning of tank containers and road tankers can now be carried out to a common, rigorous standard across Europe as a result of a complete revamp of the industrybacked Safety and Quality Assessment System for Tank Cleaning (SQAS Tank Cleaning) scheme.

Although most tank container operators are reporting increased levels of business and ordering new tanks, they are still unable to secure acceptable rates of return. Mergers and acquisitions may offer the best way forward

Three Brussels-based organisations – the European Federation of Tank Cleaning Operators (EFTCO), the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) and the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA) – have spearheaded efforts in recent years to bring some measure of standardisation to the cleaning of tanks across Europe.