The Global Tank Storage Success Stories with CSpect

26/05/2026

By Hendrik Vanneste, CEO

CSpect – ALTUM telescopic pole technologies

At the 2026 Global Tank Storage Awards, held during StocExpo in March, CSpect was awarded the bronze prize in the Drones & Robotics Solution category for its ALTUM telescopic inspection pole technologies.

Category: Drones & Robotics Solution
Project focus: ALTUM telescopic pole technologies

What was the ALTUM telescopic pole technology?

The ALTUM was a patented, in-house developed telescopic inspection pole system designed to perform safe and efficient inspections at height or depth, reaching up to 18 metres. It supported different modules: a visual module offering 360° stabilised camera inspection, and UTM modules with grinder or light version for ultrasonic thickness measurements on steel structures and B-scan.

What challenge did CSpect address?

Industrial inspections at height or depth were often costly, time-consuming and hazardous. Traditional methods such as scaffolding, rope access, cranes or confined-space entry exposed personnel to significant safety risks and increased operational downtime.

CSpect developed the ALTUM telescopic inspection pole and, for areas where the ALTUM could not reach, an in-house developed confined-space drone. Both solutions were built with the people on the work floor in mind. They prioritised not only safety but also simplicity, making inspections easier and more accessible for operators in the field.

What solution did CSpect implement?

CSpect implemented the ALTUM telescopic inspection pole as a practical and cost-effective solution for inspections at height and depth, reaching up to 18 metres. The system allowed operators to perform detailed visual inspections and thickness measurements remotely, eliminating the need for scaffolding, rope access or cranes.

It could be deployed rapidly and operated without battery limitations. Unlike many high-end robotic systems, the ALTUM was designed for everyday use on the work floor, requiring no specialised staff and avoiding complex licensing or regulatory constraints. This made it highly practical across industrial environments, including storage tanks, pipelines, hopper walls, overflows and crane structures.

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What made this solution different?

What differentiated the ALTUM telescopic inspection pole from other solutions on the market was its simplicity, flexibility and accessibility. Built by people on the work floor, for the people on the work floor, it required no specialised robotic engineers, certified drone pilots or complex operational procedures.

It acted as a natural extension of the inspector, keeping operations straightforward and cost-efficient while significantly improving safety. The system also avoided the regulatory limitations commonly associated with drone-based solutions and greatly reduced the need for expensive access equipment and additional personnel, making it a truly practical alternative in demanding industrial environments.

What impact did CSpect achieve?

The ALTUM system delivered strong, quantifiable results in real-world industrial applications. For spot thickness measurements and line scans on storage tanks, piperacks and other assets at height, clients achieved cost reductions of up to 200% and time savings of up to 600%, with zero risk to the operator.

Similar gains applied to internal visual inspections, whether carried out via the ALTUM’s visual module or the integrated micro drone. The system was adopted across the chemical industry by companies such as BASF, EuroChem, Oleon, Proviron, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide and Shell, and it gained growing recognition in the maritime sector for its simplicity and cost efficiency.

What were the key highlights and recognition?

One of the biggest highlights for CSpect was the international recognition it received for innovation in safety during industrial inspections. Winning the StocExpo 2026 Global Tank Storage Award in the Drones & Robotics Solution category, alongside recognition from the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC), validated the company’s commitment to safer and smarter inspection solutions.

Another key success was the growing international interest from clients seeking practical alternatives to traditional high-risk inspection methods.

What’s next for the ALTUM technology?

Looking ahead from the 2026 awards, CSpect aimed to expand the ALTUM technology globally as industries continued to prioritise safety, efficiency and reduced operational downtime. The company saw increasing demand for practical remote inspection solutions across the tank storage, maritime, industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Rather than pursuing high-end robotics for its own sake, CSpect’s focus remained on developing systems that evolved with the people on the work floor: intuitive, accessible tools that anyone could operate without specialised training. Future developments were planned to further enhance inspection capabilities and broaden the application range, helping companies work smarter, safer and more cost-effectively.

Want to find out more?

To learn more about CSpect and the ALTUM telescopic inspection pole technologies, visitors could:
Visit: www.cspect.com
Email: info@cspect.com

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