StocExpo 2016 gathers momentum

StocExpo, the world's leading international event for the tank terminal industry, returns to the Antwerp Expo after two years in Rotterdam. The three day event, which takes place on 15 - 17 March 2016, brings together the best and brightest from the bulk liquid storage industry, plus a top flight conference programme and the most innovative suppliers from around the globe.

StocExpo enables leading manufacturers and exhibitors to present their latest products and services to a captive international audience, whilst allowing visitors to discover the latest technologies, ideas and solutions to improve their businesses.

Nick Powell, StocExpo & Tank Storage Portfolio Event Manager commented: “It is great to see that the show is really gathering pace. We are delighted to have strong industry support from BATO and VOTOB, the Belgian and Dutch tank storage associations, plus we have the Port of Antwerp on board as Official Port Supporter. The show has firmly cemented its place in the diary of all tank storage professionals as the definitive international event for the bulk liquid industry.

“Our focus for 2016 is to make sure our show content is even more relevant, ensuring we attract the best speakers, as well as packing out our exhibition hall with more innovation than ever before. It is all looking good so far. All the major industry suppliers are onboard to exhibit and we’ve plenty of new names for our visitors too. We don’t take our position at the top lightly and we strive to improve the show each year, ensuring our visitors remain ahead of any industry trends.”

Conference programme

The highly regarded StocExpo conference programme returns with a who’s who of industry renowned speakers all looking to share their insights and experiences. Vopak, the Port of Antwerp, National Bank of Belgium and Zeeland Sea Ports are just some of the major names in the speaker line up, which will have a regional and international feel, ensuring that visitors get highly relevant local content plus a global perspective.

Karl-Heinz Schult-Bornemann, Assistant Professor at the Otto-von-Guericke Universitat, will take a look at the global energy outlook and fracking, whilst Earl Crochet, Director of Business Development at Kinder Morgan, will update attendees on terminal operations in North America.

Maintaining the international emphasis will be Muthukrishnan Prabakaran, Global Head of Terminals at Gulf Petrochem, who will present ‘The future of Fujairah as an oil and trading hub’. During his talk he will discuss current expansion projects, terminal performance and the growth in oil demand, plus he will look at the potential for crude storage growth and major refining projects in the Middle East that could impact demand.

Michel Leyseele, Manager Investments Oil & Chemicals at the Port of Antwerp will take a more regional approach, looking at the port itself as a facilitator for all petrochemical industry shareholders. George Van Gastel, Head of Service at National Bank of Belgium will continue this theme, discussing the economic importance of Belgian ports. During his talk he will touch upon the evolution of traffic, the structural shifts, direct and indirect value added investments and any future developments.

Looking towards the future will be Walter Moone, Managing Director, Vopak Chemicals Logistics Netherlands B.V., who will discuss ‘Interesting times for the storage market – what next for 2016?’ While Charles Smissaert, Managing Director at Botlek Tank Terminal, will consider whether there is ‘Still room for growth in Europe’.

As always, safety continues to play an important role within the bulk liquid sector. Sandra De Bont, Executive Director at VOTOB will detail its Safety Maturity Tool and the benefits it brings, including terminal performance insight, in terms of ‘hardware, ‘software’ and ‘mindware’. She will present the findings from the 2014 report and analyse the 2015 actions that have been undertaken. Also delivering safety content will be Mike O’Brien, Head of Marketing at Newson Gale, who will present the latest European (2015) and US (2014) guidance for preventing fires and explosions caused by static electricity.

Exhibition hall

More than just a conference programme, many exhibitors will be using StocExpo 2016 as the platform from which to launch new technologies and concepts or make major announcements to an international audience. It is therefore no surprise that over 150 leading organisations are signed up to exhibit at the 2016 show, including Scully Systems, CTS Netherlands BV, Mercon Steel Structures BV, J. de Jonge Flowsystems BV, Emco Wheaton and Endress + Hauser, and 60% are using the show to launch new products and services to the tank storage market.

For instance ENDEGS will be using StocExpo 2016 to launch its new range of Mobile Vapor Combustors, which offer the latest VOC and odor traceable destruction technology.

Scully Systems NV will also be using the show to launch its Intellitrol2 Overfill Prevention, Static Ground Proving and Vehicle Identification Control System. The Intellitrol2 includes new status indicators and diagnostic features, plus it is IEC/EN 13922 compliant, ATEX approved for Zone 0, Group 1 Hazardous Locations and features SIL2 certification.

Netherlocks Safety Systems BV is introducing its new Valve Position Indicator. This is the most reliable position indicator for any type of multi turn or gearbox operated valve. It assures full real time knowledge about individual valve positions, plus it helps avoid or discover any misalignment, strongly reducing the risk of high costs due to product spill.

Silverwing will be presenting an array of products, including its V750 Vacuum box and UT Lite system. Also on show will be its Floormap3DiM, an MFL tank floor inspection system, which has a unique method of discriminating between TOP and BOTTOM surface originating corrosion. Its RMS2, a high-speed remote access ultrasonic corrosion mapping system designed to inspect critical pipework, down to a minimum of 6 inches up to flat plate, will also be on display.

StocExpo 2016 takes place on 15 - 17 March 2016 at Antwerp Expo, Antwerp. For more information visit www.stocexpo.com.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/14012016/stocexpo-returns-to-antwerp-2145/