Responsible Care Programme for European chemical land transport

Nineteen chemical transport companies officially declared their participation in the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA)’s Responsible Care programme at ECTA’s annual conference in Barcelona this month.

The European Chemical industry has implemented a series of measures in recent months to further refine its extensive chemical transport safety regime.

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