Van den Bosch presents High Volume Ultra Light tank container

An optimal payload, maximum insulation and high safety standards. When it comes to equipment, Van den Bosch never stands still. “We continue to develop by putting smart innovations into practice, serving our customers even better and shifting the 'status quo' in bulk transport”, says Emiel van Haren, Operations Director division Liquid Food at Van den Bosch. All of this comes together in the new High Volume Ultra Light tank container.

The High Volume Ultra Light tank container with a capacity of 35,500 litres, was developed in collaboration with partner Van Hool and is unique in its class. We already started using the predecessor of this innovative tank container back in 2014. “Where we took a huge step in the field of payload optimisation back then and developed a ground-controlled mechanism, we’re now going one step further”, says Van Haren.

Maximum payload

The new lightweight container has a loading capacity of 30 tonnes. “Together with Van Hool, we have done everything we can to make the container as light as possible – 3,180 kg to be precise – so we can further optimise our payload”, says Van Haren. The container is used for the intermodal transport of liquid foodstuffs in Europe, in particular vegetable oils and fats, such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm oil and coconut oil. “These products have a lower product density. By making use of the High Volume Ultra Light tank container, we are able to load up to 30 tons. This results in a maximum payload, savings on logistics costs and fewer transport movements. The high insulation makes the container also ideal for conditioned transport.”

Further development

Van Haren is always looking for ways to further improve the equipment. Ten years ago, for example, a 28 tonne load was the market standard. “That was improvable. Together with our partner Van Hool, we developed it up to 30 tonnes. In the meantime we have been continuously looking for ways to make our containers even better. For example, through the development of a single point of sealing and switching to a pressurised container to increase deployability. This also includes a higher insulation value, which helps maintain product temperature and prevents solidification.”

The new High Volume Ultra Light tank containers are currently being delivered in a first series of 50 units by producer Van Hool.