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Worrying times
Page 44
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In Dublin, the FPS Expo hinted at business as usual, yet there were concerns over soaring fuel costs and a shortage of trucks.
Words: Bryan Jarvis
The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers' annual gathering is an important platform for tanker operators and suppliers to confer on hot topics such as legislation, the latest technologies, distribution information and a host of other matters that are linked with the fuel and lube oil business.
One such concern among foreign exporters is how Sterling exchange rates are favouring our own manufacturers, but it's not all plain sailing since much of their materials and components have to be sourced from within the Eurozone anyway.
A dedicated sector
Being such a dedicated and specialised sector, and so close to the much larger CV Show, only two truck builders were present — DAF, with one of eight CF85.410 113 6x2 ADR-spec Euro-5 tractor units for Suckling Transport, and Scania, which reminded the industry of its aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair and testing of fuel tankers.
At the show this year, there was a healthy mixture of Irish and UK companies. In particular, the prominent Dublin-based haulier Joe Reynolds, who used the opportunity to present his `MEV' (More Efficient Vehicle) project.
Reynolds Logistics fleet is one of Ireland's largest independent petro-chemical distribution groups, which has a number of other peripheral interests.
One of these' interests' is Team-CV, a newly formed repair and maintenance division, which has a special focus on the fuel, dry bulk, chemicals, food and gas-carrying tankers and related equipment areas.
Under the guidance of general and operations managers Chris Dalton and Mark Dodd, the company promises to provide a dedicated support service for this highly specialised sector.
Currently based in Dublin Port and an Ellesmere Port site, its aim is to excel in workshop training standards, as well as meeting and exceeding the Energy Institute's workshop codes for ADR transport.
A new site is due to open in Cork this summer, while further sites are planned in the UK and Ireland over the next two years.
With cyclist and pedestrian awareness currently a hot topic in Ireland, every new truck sported the required extra mirror over the windscreen, but for extra awareness, Tinknell Fuels' DAF 75LF 6x2 with lift or steer rear axle and Magyar ADR tank equipment came complete with a few special extras...
These 'extras' included an A-post camera with an in-cab monitor, along with side and frontal proximity sensors. At the rear was a large flashing `reversalert' unit to warn followers that you are about to back up. Other versions can warn of direction changes, too.
Diversifying to survive
One way to counter seasonal fluctuations is to diversify, hence Tasca Tankers decision to add aviation and vacuum tankers to its traditional aluminium and mild-steel fuel and oil carrier offerings.
The company also has plans to enter the larger tank trailer market, and has already built oneand two-steered axle versions for Hoyer, WCF and Wincanton's home delivery fleet.
It also supplies vessels to Maine Tankers of Ballymena, which mounts and equips them ready for local use.
Next year's FPS gathering is to be held in Harrogate, but another event, Tank-Ex, is being sandwiched in between at Donnington Park. • • Merged Spanish tanker firms Indox and Parcisa have become Parcindox, now one of the largest European manufacturers of spirit, LPG, food, bitumen and vacuum tankers, to name a few examples.