StocExpo 2016 unveils speaker linkup

StocExpo 2016, the world’s leading international event for the tank terminal industry, has unveiled its speaker lineup for 2016. The highly practical conference, which takes place on 15 - 17 March 2016 at the Antwerp Expo, will see some of the biggest names within the industry not only discuss the region’s critical storage developments but also tackle themes driving the global market.

The most important dedicated international tank storage event for terminal operators, oil companies, traders and regulators will host 30 expert speakers from companies such as Vopak, the Port of Antwerp, Botlek Tank Terminal, VOTOB, Gulf Petrochem and the Port of Tarragona.

This will be the first time the StocExpo conference has both 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 Boudewijn Siemons, Managing Director of Vopak Belgium, 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.

Ahmet Yavuz, Inspection Superintendent – Tank Farm/Oil Movements at Tupras will discuss ‘Inspection and maintenance planning’. He will explore the safe operating practices for maintaining tank integrity, tank standard practices and variables, plus the seven steps of tank integrity management systems.

Nick Powell, Event Manager of the Easyfairs’ Tank Storage Portfolio said: “Some events simply focus on the more regional news or trends, but we have broken this mould, by providing international content too. We attract visitors from 61 countries and StocExpo is acknowledged as the world’s major tank storage event. So we felt that it was important to not only explore critical regional issues but to also provide a global perspective. It’s our most comprehensive and international programme yet.”

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/17122015/global-and-regional-experts-lineup-for-stocexpo-2016-2006/