The tanker industry is undergoing continuous transformation due to advances in technology, regulatory changes, and an increasing focus on worker health and safety. Keeping up with these advances is crucial, especially considering the important role that tankers play in sectors like chemical logistics, food delivery and gasoline distribution.
NEW DESIGN AND MATERIALS
Considerable progress in material science and design has resulted from the need for tankers that are lighter, more resilient and more efficient. Aluminium and composite materials are gradually replacing or complementing traditional steel tankers. These materials have several advantages, including increased cargo capacity and fuel economy.
Aluminium offers several advantages over traditional steel, including being up to 60% lighter. Weight reduction increases fuel economy and increases payload capacity, both of which are beneficial in distribution.
Composite materials are becoming increasingly common. These materials provide exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion, particularly from harsh chemicals. The emergence of glass-reinforced plastics and carbon fibre-reinforced polymers has given rise to tankers that can better resist harsh contents or conditions. Composite tanker building is a promising development, despite being in the early stages of development.
Spanish tanker manufacturer Cisternas Cobo has developed a process to build exterior and interior linings combining beading with hydroforming (pictured, p23). This way, the company says, it can obtain linings with a perfect dish end flange finish, a more homogeneous distribution of the displacement of tensions, with no difference in geometry. It also offers greater versatility of the materials that can be used such as aluminium, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other alloys.
Meanwhile, German manufacturer Feldbinder has introduced the BTAN 57 titanium wagon as a lightweight alternative to enamelled steel tanks for transporting chemicals such as molten monochloroacetic acid. Another benefit is that the 40% weight saving means these wagons can transport 30% more volume, improving environmental impact and lowering logistics costs.
In addition to materials, tanker design is changing. An increasing number of designs are modular, allowing for faster assembly and maintenance. Modular tankers allow for easy swapping of damaged components which reduces downtime and costs for operators. To increase fuel economy, designs are also focusing more on aerodynamics; some manufacturers are including features such as curved tank shells and streamlined hosing systems.
REGULATORY CHANGES
The tanker industry has been directly impacted by several regulatory reforms that the Department for Transport has implemented recently. The goals of these rules are to increase transportation efficiency, lower emissions and improve safety.
The UK has had the freedom to change its transport laws (particularly those pertaining to tankers) since it left the European Union (EU). The government has taken steps to simplify some rules to meet its local requirements, even while the majority of EU Directives – such as the European Agreement for the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road – continue to be applicable.
One key area of divergence is environmental regulation. The UK can now set more ambitious goals for cutting carbon emissions from transportation-related sources. Manufacturers are under pressure to make sure their tankers meet the tighter emissions regulations because of this.
E10 petrol, which includes up to 10% ethanol, was introduced in the UK in 2021 along with other ‘cleaner’ fuels. Since ethanol is more corrosive than conventional fuels and tankers must be composed of materials that can withstand corrosion, the switch to E10 has impacted the tanker market. To guarantee that they can handle E10 safely, tankers used for gasoline distribution now have to fulfil certain requirements, especially regarding seals, gaskets and overall material composition.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to have a significant influence over the safety regulations governing tanker operations. Updates to safety requirements have resulted from its focus on preserving the integrity of vehicles transporting hazardous materials, especially regarding fire prevention and spill containment. Tankers transporting explosive or combustible products, for instance, must have more sophisticated fire suppression systems installed, and are subject to routine inspections to ensure these regulations are being followed.
The UK has tightened its driver training programmes in reaction to incidents involving tankers. It is now mandatory for drivers to complete specialised training in handling hazardous materials, such as gases, chemicals and flammable liquids. In addition, emergency response protocols are emphasised in this training, ensuring drivers are more prepared to deal with possible accidents or leaks.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
In the tanker industry, health and safety has always been important, especially considering the nature of the cargo being transported. The goal of recent technological and regulatory updates is to reduce risks and improve public and driver safety.
Incorporating advanced safety features into designs is a growing trend among tanker manufacturers. These include improved braking systems, electronic stability control and rollover prevention systems. Tankers are particularly vulnerable to rollovers because, when fully laden, they might have high centres of gravity that increase their risk of toppling over. By assisting in keeping the cab stable in adverse conditions, electronic stability control reduces the risk of accidents.
Commercial vehicle and plant safety company, Brigade, has developed Radar Side Scan and Front Moving Off Information Systems to prevent collisions and protect vulnerable road users by detecting obstacles and providing real-time alerts.
Better containment features, spill detection sensors and valve systems are among the spill prevention technologies now standard aboard modern tankers. These systems can automatically close valves in the case of a spillage, minimising the impact on the environment and reducing the possibility of fire or explosion.
Automatic fire suppression devices and fire-resistant materials are becoming standard equipment on tankers carrying combustible substances. When a fire is detected, these systems can automatically discharge foam or other fire suppression chemicals to put out the fire before it spreads.
The tanker sector is increasingly using telematics. Contemporary tankers are frequently outfitted with sensors that provide real-time condition monitoring of the tanker and its cargo. With the use of this technology, tanker operators can monitor anything from the temperature of the cargo to the internal pressure of the tanker. This enhances safety and allows for predictive maintenance as anomalies may be found early and fixed before they cause failures.
HYBRID SOLUTIONS
Every industry is starting to place strong emphasis on sustainability, and the tanker sector is no exception. Manufacturers and operators are coming up with innovative ways to lessen their environmental effect in response to government rules that strive for lower emissions and more environmentally friendly transportation options.
Although the market for heavy-duty tankers has been slow to adopt the electric revolution, promising developments are expected soon.
Companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Trucks are leading the way in the introduction of hybrid solutions for heavy-duty vehicles, which combine electric motors with conventional diesel engines. These vehicles reduce emissions by using electric power for a portion of their trip, especially in cities where air quality is an issue.
When compared to battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered fuel cells have the benefit of long ranges and rapid refilling times. The UK is conducting several pilot projects to evaluate the feasibility of hydrogen trucks, which have the potential to drastically lower the industry‘s carbon impact.
Beyond fuel types and emissions, sustainability also includes the materials used in the construction of tankers and what happens to those materials at the end of a tanker‘s life. Due to the strong recycling potential of aluminium and composite materials, some manufacturers are now building tankers with end-of-life disassembly in mind, making sure that parts can be easily recycled or repurposed.
The tanker market is experiencing a period of rapid change brought about by advancements in product design, materials and regulations, as well as an increasing emphasis on sustainability, and health and safety. These innovations present possibilities as well as problems for transport engineers.
Greater efficiency is promised by lighter, more resilient materials, and improved safety measures increase operational safety. However, in the post-Brexit regulatory landscape, new requirements necessitate careful navigation to maintain compliance.
Innovations such as electric and hydrogen-powered tankers may soon proliferate as the industry evolves towards a greener future, mirroring the wider transition towards sustainability in the UK‘s transport sector.
