Singapore: The Asia Tank Container Organization (@TCO) has been established by founder members Reginald Lee and Graham Wood to help foster the use of intermodal tank containers throughout the rapidly developing Asian marketplace.
"In recent years Asia has emerged to take on a key role in global tank container activities," stated Reg Lee, @TCO president. "Asia is the fastest-growing tank container market in the world, while China is now the leading manufacturer of tank containers by a wide margin. The multimodal nature of tanks, with their ability to be moved easily between deepsea container ships, regional feeder vessels, rivergoing craft, road vehicles and rail cars, suits the geography of Asia.
"Yet until now Asian tank activities have not been well represented by industry bodies. We believe that the approach of the existing International Tank Container Organization (ITCO), for example, is too Eurocentric and does not pay adequate attention to either the needs of its members with interests in Asia or the promotion of tank container use in the Asian marketplace.
"Intermodal tank containers have proven themselves eminently suitable for the safe and efficient carriage of a wide range of bulk liquids, gases and powders, including hazardous cargoes, in Europe and the Atlantic Basin over a period of many decades. Our industry is now in a position to make available the valuable lessons that have been learned to a wide range of newcomers."
@TCO has established tank operating, leasing, manufacturing and survey and inspection divisions.
"Our intention is to invite to join us, at least initially, 30-35 companies which we believe can help our new organization to develop the use of tank containers in a safe and efficient manner to meet the needs of shippers in this fast-growing Asian marketplace," added Reg Lee. [03/02/11]
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