New tank container organization forms

New tank container organization forms    A new ISO tank container organization has formed with specific emphasis on Asia's increasing use of this mode for transport of liquid bulk commodities.
   'This will allow us to focus our attention on the real issues that we see in the region and ensure we are able to make an impact,' said Reginald Lee, founder and president of the @tco.

Lee

   Lee was most recently head of the International Tank Container Organization (ITCO), but parted ways late last year over differences of where the tank container market is headed. 'I believe the future for the tank container is in the Asia region, but the ITCO board just wanted to focus on Europe which is the main reason to start this new organization,' he said.

   The tank container, designed to fit into a conventional 20-foot dry cargo container frame, has served a number of shippers globally for 35 years. In addition to chemicals for manufacturing, these tanks have facilitated the transport of thousands of gallons of bulk liquid food and beverage commodities, such as wines and spirits, and vegetable oils.
   The tanks have been largely used in the U.S./Europe/Japan routing to ship bulk liquids between companies' international plants and between different manufacturers. In recent years, China and other Asian markets have rapidly become some of the biggest markets, not just for manufacturing the actual tank containers, but also deploying them for international and domestic freight transport purposes.
   In Asia, @tco plans to demonstrate and promote the benefits of tank containers overland via long distance rail, as well as their advantage for river transport by barge. The group will also use its collective research and knowledge to promote to Asian shippers, port authorities and governments the efficiencies and safety of tank container transport for bulk liquid commodities. In addition, @tco will organize annual members meetings in the region and arrange bi-annual conferences.
   @tco's board of directors includes some of the industry's largest tank container providers, such as Stolt Tank Containers, Sinochem International, Haite (Exsif), Tal Tank Container, CIMC, Fortvale China and Silver/CIMS.
   'The focus for this new organization is on quality not quantity,' Lee said. 'Therefore I do not think there will be more than 30-35 companies involved in the first years or so.' ' Chris Gillis