The widespread adoption of sea containers in diverse industries has led to a paradigm shift in container solutions. One company has harnessed this trend, demonstrating the benefits of using these containers for the efficient transportation and storage of bitumen.
According to The Ship, it has been estimated that about 65 million shipping containers are in use globally. Made almost exclusively in China from COR-TEN steel (weathering steel), the average 20-foot sea container can last up to 25 years. These containers are called 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to determine the flow through ports around the world and the capacity of cargo ships.
But their toughness and accessibility means there’s numerous ways a shipping container can be given a brand new lease on life and continue to be useful for years to come. It’s not just sheds, unusual houses, pop-up venues and sports stadiums – one company called TEC Container Solutions redesigned standard containers for use in storing and transporting bitumen thanks to bespoke, built-for-purpose, bitumen containers.
Jon Whittall, Managing Director at TEC Container Solutions, has been involved in the cargo and container solution industry for over 15 years, primarily at TEC Container Solutions. He came into TEC Container Solutions after the Shipper Bitutainer™ was created.
“The Shipper Bitutainer aims to meet the specific needs of bitumen transportation across diverse logistical networks,” he says. “Over the years, this tank container has undergone numerous upgrades and advancements, evolving into the highly efficient and robust solution known in the market today.”
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Why select a Shipper Bitutainer?
TEC Container Solutions’ Bitutainer range offers several carefully engineered solutions for transport and storage. This range has been designed to incorporate various heating systems to suit customer requirements. Over years of work, the Bitutainer range has established itself as one of the market leaders in its field, with TEC Container Solutions having a 30 per cent higher carrying capacity than conventional tank containers.
“We have also worked to ensure our range stands out through durability and longevity,” Jon says. “We have employed people that have considerable experience within the industry. That has helped us create units that stand the test of time, with some units still in service over 20 years after they were manufactured.”
Longer life ensures that the units generate better economic and productive outcomes for end-users. That makes the Bitutainer range optimal for companies that want a reliable and cost-effective solution for transporting and storing their bitumen.
“Our units have been deployed across the globe,” Whittall says. “The biggest players in the industry trust us to meet their bitumen transportation and storage needs.”
One of the reasons TEC Container Solutions remains ahead of the game is its approach to continuous innovation and development. This has led to advanced heating processes, which have seen the introduction of reducing pipes and dispersing features. This ensures a heating process that works throughout the container, eliminating cold spots.
“We also added sloped floors and a sump area to optimise emptying efficiency and operational performance,” Whittall says. “We also use a double-wall design, which drastically reduces heat loss. The bitumen stays at the right temperature for a longer period, meaning less material loss at the end of the day.”
Safety and innovation
It’s not just about operational and productive efficiency. Hot bitumen can be a safety hazard, so implementing a double-locked manway and a double-walled design keeps users and the public safe.
Safety doesn’t just apply when the container is sitting on site, safety during transportation is just as vital. Many countries across Europe have extensive laws and regulations relating to the transport of dangerous goods by road or rail. These are the ADR/RID regulations, with ADR relating to road transport and RID for transport by rail.
“In line with our continuing commitment to innovation, TEC Container Solutions is working to obtain ADR/RID certifications in Australia for the new ADR/RID Bitutainer,” Whittall says. “It has been specifically designed to enable the secure and efficient movement of hot bitumen across road and rail networks in Australia. This will improve logistical efficiency and match the approval we have already received for transport across the European Union.”
The ADR/RID Bitutainer
The ADR/RID Bitutainer will offer improved heat retention and durability. Enhanced features will see a 20 per cent increase in capacity over other ISO tank containers, which could revolutionise the transport logistics of hot bitumen.
The innovative design means that each ADR/RID Bitutainer can be moved from the refinery directly to the port immediately after filling. This will increase the number of loading facilities available for TEC Container Solutions customers and reduce logistics times and costs.
“We’ve designed it to have a nominal capacity of 28,000 litres,” Whittall says. “The double-walled insulated design will ensure efficient heating up and retention of heat in the bitumen during transport. We’ve designed the ADR/RID Bitutainer to be fully framed, with corner twist locks and damage reinforcement plates. Along with conducting impact testing for durability, we’ve also implemented a range of improvements to simplify the ADR/RID Bitutainer operations.”
These continuous enhancements to the Bitutainer have been central to solidifying TEC Container Solutions as one of the leading firms in global bitumen transport solutions. Introducing the ADR/RID-certified containers will enable more efficient and safe transport methods.
“From its inception in the 1990s to today, the Shipper Bitutainer has been at the forefront of logistical innovation,” Whittall says. “With each upgrade, we’ve pushed the boundaries of efficiency and safety in bitumen transportation. The introduction of the ADR/RID Bitutainer is a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in the logistics industry, with the introduction of this unique bitumen container into the Australian market further supporting our push for innovation in the industry.”
This article was originally published in the August edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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