Previous Attendees:
This year’s StocExpo Europe surpassed the shows of the past
It must have been more than the rain that drove people inside the Ahoy to StocExpo Europe’s fourth event, held back home in Rotterdam this year. Over 200 delegates and more than 1,000 visitors were drawn to StocExpo’s largest event yet – consisting of a record high 250 stands. Companies which stands stood out included Kanon, Honeywell, J. de Jonge and FMC Technologies. And the reindeer on Emerson’s stand certainly raised a few eyebrows, as did the aluminium roof covering Vacono’s bar.
The three day exhibition was supported by a conference designed to draw terminal operators into debate about the latest hot topics and legislation. Richard Kellaway, director of business development at NuStar Energy chaired day one’s conference. The first of the morning’s presentations in Rotterdam was well-placed with an overview of storage outlook and opportunities within the ARA, given by Ronald Backers, business developer of liquid bulk cargo at the Port of Rotterdam. Notably, throughput at the port has grown by 43% in four years, 40% of which came from liquid bulk, with a noticeable rise in oil products.
After the morning break, subjects moved on to logistics paradigms within the petrochemical sector. Den Hartogh’s Mark Warner outlined sustainable solutions for chemical logistics. Supply chain/logistics costs represent 10% of total turnover of chemical industry, he said with freight volume expected to increase by 2.5% over the next 10 years. The increase of modal transport provides a solution by reducing congestion, addressing the shortage of truck drivers and being more cost-competitive over longer distances.
In a similar vein, Kurt Rodenburg from Lomosoft, PetroOnline, gave his view on the visibility of the supply chain enhancing the accuracy of forecasting. To round off the morning’s session, the topic turned to the practical storage, handling and blending experience for biofuels. Simon Storage’s Gary Lacy discussed the way biofuels have similar but not identical storage and handling needs to hydrocarbon road fuels.
During lunch, delegates got the chance to explore the expanse of a StocExpo exhibition, learning about the products and services of over 20 new exhibitors, as well as networking with the familiar faces.
The afternoon’s speeches began by a presentation from the chair, Richard Kellaway, outlining NuStar’s new builds, addressing factors such as purpose, location, permits and the present and future market issues. Following this, Peter Hills from Nordic Storage gave a speech on the enhanced role of storage in the global supply chain. The agenda exposed the issues of tighter global supply balances, regional imbalances, increased risk of supply disruptions and the storage of a wider range of products. To help alleviate these challenges, there is an increasing role played by independent storage, with more flexible storage in terms of tank sizes, heating, blending and deep water for building/breaking bulk. In the evening, a networking drinks reception in the exhibition hall brought together the day’s delegates and exhibitors to reflect on the first day’s proceedings.
Day two’s theme of regulatory, safety and policy issues kicked off with an introduction from the chair Hennie Standaar, secretary general of FETSA (Federation of European Tank Storage Associations). During a conference concerning oil storage, it is never long before the word Buncefield escapes someone’s lips. Chris Hunt of UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) spoke next on effective leadership on process safety in the downstream oil industry with reference to Buncefield. Following the explosion, UKPIA set up industry work teams and liaised with the government on the day of the incident.
Taf Powell, investigation manager, Buncefield Major Incident Independent Investigation Board, later engaged the audience in the details of what is known so far about the incident.
Following the break, Tebodin Consultants and engineers’ Gert Sloof presented the perspective of safety integrity levels (SIL) (EN-IEC 61511) in compliance management. For functional safety terminal managers must begin with SECESO II procedures of notification, major accident prevention policy, safety report, management of change and emergency planning. Before lunch Rosa Garcia Couto from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) illustrated the Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS). Before the GHS, for the same hazard countries had different classification criteria. The growing global trade in chemicals and the need to develop national programmes meant an internationally harmonised approached was needed. The GHS provides a recognised framework, reduces the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals and facilitates international trade in chemicals.
The focus of the afternoon was centred on the regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). REACH came into force on 1 June 2007. It streamlines and improves the former legislative framework on chemicals of the EU. The main objectives of REACH are to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks chemicals pose, promote alternative test methods, and enhance competitiveness and innovation.
Standaar presented the subject of REACH and independent tank storage. He advised the terminal operators to approach principals as soon as possible, check individual specifics via ECHA or national websites, check storage requests against the substances list published by ECHA and national authorities; and avoid liability risks – terminals should not accept unregistered or unauthorised products for storage. He ended by remarking that independent tank storage companies have no obligation to register substances under REACH unless they choose to (full representative agreement with importing principal outside the community), and that companies should be aware of uncertainty regarding fiscal representation.
The final day’s conference programme highlighted tanks, terminals and technology – achieving efficiency through best practice solutions. The programme offered delegates the opportunity to learn about the new technologies of a variety of companies. Leading industry experts offered best practice solutions including a look at terminal automation, tank cleaning, vapour emissions, tank relocation, measurement practices and other. Companies included Honeywell Enraf, A.R. Watson, STS Tank Cleaning Services, FMC Technologies, Implico, Rosemount Tank Gauging, Verwater, Mascoat Products, MHT Technology, Refrigeration Engineering and Newson Gale.
Conference delegates were automatically entered into a free laptop prize draw. The winner of the laptop was EuroTank Amsterdam BV’s Theo Wils.
Due to overwhelming interest, StocExpo has expanded to a total of six events a year. The next new event StocExpo Turkey & the Black & Caspian Seas, will hoist the flag from 11-12 November, and less than a month later StocExpo steps into sunny Sao Paulo as StocExpo South America takes place from 2-3 December.
Be sure to visit Rotterdam from 25-27 March 2009 to mark StocExpo’s fifth birthday.
