Bulk Distributor Jan/Feb 16

BULKDISTRIBUTOR www.bulk-distributor.com January/February 2016 Est. 1990 Your single information source for bulk and semi-bulk logistics Tank Containers • Flexitanks • IBCs • Drums • FIBCs • Bulk Liners • Road Tankers • Loading/Bagging • Bulk Logistics • Cleaning & Repair Depots • Components IN THIS ISSUE EPCA Review 2 ECTA Review 4 Tank Containers 5 Road Tankers 12 Components 13 Loading Racks 15 Industrial Packaging 17 Logistics 20 Ports 22 Managing Editor: Neil Madden [email protected] Tel: [phone] Advertising Director: Anne Williams [email protected] Tel: [phone] Business Development Executive: Mike Reardon [email protected] Tel: [phone] Circulation: Berni Chetham [email protected] Tel: [phone] © Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd Bulk Distributor is published by Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd Caledonian House, Tatton Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG, United Kingdom www.bulk-distributor.com To advertise or contribute please email [email protected] or [email protected] Action needed on migrant camp as rail service is postponed T he UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called for urgent action on the migrant camp near the French port of Calais after a new rail freight service has been shelved. The FTA said news that the planned rail freight service between the Pyrenees and Calais had been postponed over migrant security fears highlights the need for urgent action by the French government. The intermodal service, operated by SNCF Logistics’ rail freight subsidiary VIIA, was due to start carrying unaccompanied road trailers on the route on 12 January with a key market being Spanish goods bound for the UK. But VIIA said the service was suspended until it could ensure “optimal safety conditions for all”. A statement from VIIA said even though systems were finalised and the rail operator was ready for Calais–Le Boulou service, “the presence of migrants in Calais has raised a rail traffic safety issue”. Although no major incident was reported during the tests, co-ordination exercises with rail safety teams and local police highlighted the need to double check safety measures for rail traffic in Calais. The new service would use a section of track running close to the camp with trains travelling at less than 12mph as they approach the port. Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU affairs manager, said: “This is yet another example of this vital trade route being affected by the actions of the migrants in Calais. The French government needs to move the camp away from the port as soon as possible, and ensure the area is secure for transport operators. “This will affect those who ship by road, rail and sea and will dent confidence in Eurotunnel as a viable option. We need to move freight off the roads and onto rail – this isn’t going to help achieve that aim,” he added. “Our members have endured months of delays, disruptions and threats to their personal safety while travelling through Calais. This situation cannot be allowed to continue to affect adversely the livelihoods of transport operators who need to use this route.” The size of the camp has swelled from 600 to 6,000 migrants in 12 months and the number of drivers being fined for carrying stowaways has more than tripled in three years. Drivers can be personally fined up to £2,000 for each illegal immigrant found on board and FTA members claims it is impossible to prevent their trucks being attacked because of the huge numbers of migrants and the personal safety issues involved. A new camp is now being proposed at Dunkirk, which the local mayor says will provide more humane and dignified living conditions than the current facility at Calais. But Natalie Chapman, FTA’s head of policy for London and the South East, said: “Planning a new camp near another port is madness – this is a critical trade route where our members will continue to be affected. “There is undoubtedly a humanitarian crisis here and genuine refugees should be treated with respect and have their cases properly processed. However, the Calais camp is far too close to the road and the port, putting our members’ livelihoods – and indeed their lives – at risk. “This is Western Europe in the 21st Century – it’s unthinkable that we can’t come up with a solution to this problem instead of allowing thousands of migrants and refugees to live in squalid conditions while international transport operations are put in jeopardy.” The FTA understands the planned new camp is to be situated 30 miles from Calais and funded by the French government. The Association has been calling on the French government to move the camp since 2013 when problems first started to escalate. Another trade body, the Road Haulage Association (RHA), has launched a 24/7 Calais Incident Reporting Line - ([phone]. Thousands of wallet-sized cards have been printed with the reporting line number, together with the telephone numbers for the emergency services in France and the UK. The Port of Dover is supporting the initiative and the cards will be issued to drivers by ferry operators P&O and DFDS. It is hoped that other cross-Channel operators will also participate. The reporting line will give hauliers and their drivers the opportunity to call in and officially log incidents of intimidation or incursion by migrants. Callers will be asked for their name, the nature of the incident, the exact location where the incident occurred and whether there was damage to their load or vehicle. The information gathered will be passed to the Home Office and Border Force teams. The RHA’s International department, which provides advice and g&WVV