The decision was taken at the end of last year. Tank 964 is completely renovated after nineteen years of vacancy. The project will take a year. Crude must be in the tank again in the first week of January 2019. The preparations have now been completed, the project is ongoing. TEAM Terminal is working on one of the largest renovation jobs in its history.

Project Manager, Willem de Groot, hired on a part-time basis from TechnipFMC, is at the helm. He works with several main contractors such as Geldof Tankbouw, Persy Steel Protection PSP and Mistras Inspection. Around Tanks follows the activities closely and keeps you informed of the most important developments.

August 19, 1999

The joumal images are still clear to most of us. August 19, 1999. “Two tanks from TEAM Terminal at the Fifth Petroleumhaven in Rotterdam are on fire,” it sounds on the NOS news. “A lightning strike caused the rubber sealing rings of the floating roofs to catch fire and ignite the oil vapors in the tank.” In 2018, the drone images from Falcker Inspections show an abandoned tank 964 that, seen from above, looks extra empty and desolate. The images were taken at the end of 2017 and are part of the advice Falcker issued for the project. Falcker goes further than just making recordings.

Tank inspection with drones

TEAM Terminal works with Falcker for the first time. And this is how the soft humming sound of a drone above the company premises sounds on April 7, 2017. Two operators are conducting the flight. The activities are subject to strict regulations and safety measures. They fly with an AsTec Falcon 8. This is an eight-engined drone, with three independent flight sensor data computer systems. On board the aircraft is a redundant communication system that translates all commands from the operator on the ground into an action. One operator operates the control system, while another closely monitors the drone. The drone itself is also equipped with all kinds of safety functions. Even if two of the flight sensor data computer systems fail and three of the eight independent motors fail, the drone continues to fly stably. It is true that the operator receives a report and advice to land the drone with every bankruptcy. Things could also go wrong in the connection with the drone station. Should that happen, the drone can land itself in three ways.

Tank damage 964

The damage to the tank is considerable, but it is only now that it becomes clear what actually needs to be done. The base (mound) must be repaired and the top two rings, which have been deformed by the fire load, must be renewed. Furthermore, all equipment such as tank mixers, valves and measuring equipment must be adapted to current standards. But the entire roof, the top landing and the entire floor will also be reinstalled. Furthermore, the pipework must also be inspected and repaired where necessary. A so-called ‘second line of defense’ is placed under the bottom with foil. This foil ensures that an unlikely leak is detected early. The job has to be done within a year and that poses challenges. If necessary, we will work in the weekend or in shifts to ensure that the completion date is met. The weather is still an uncertain factor. Among other things, various layers of coating must be applied, under conditioned circumstances. That is why a canopy will be placed over the tank by VTC (Vos Tank Covers) in August 2018. Weather-sensitive activities can therefore proceed unimpeded.

Weekly project meeting

Project Manager, Willem de Groot, has been involved in the project through Tech-nipFMC on a part-time basis since February 2018. His main tasks are chairing the weekly project meeting and monitoring important project components such as planning, delivery times and project budget. He also consults with the stakeholders and is responsible, among other things, for assessing additional work. Willem has been employed by TechnipFMC for over Air years. In addition to TEAM Terminal, he has also been seconded as Project Manager at Zenith Energy Amsterdam Terminal (former BP terminal) since April 2015. In the meantime, work on tank 964 is increasing more and more. Where once peace and quiet predominated, now there is a lot of activity. “The project is indeed in full swing,” said Willem de Groot. ” In the coming year, all parties involved will be working hard to get the job done. “What is the status at the moment?” The roof and bottom plates have now been removed. Geldof is now busy profiling the bottom profile and applying the HDPE foil. In addition, a start was made in March with the removal of the top two deformed rings. “On to January 2019 when tank 964 is fully put into operation again. However, it is far from being that far. In coming issues of Rondom Tanks we will keep the developments. and we will elaborate on all the activities surrounding this unique project. Geldof is now busy profiling the bottom profile and applying the HDPE foil. In addition, a start was made in March on the removal of the top two deformed rings. “On to January 2019 when tank 964 is fully put back into operation. However, it is far from being that far. We will keep track of developments in upcoming issues of Rondom Tanks. we will discuss in detail all the activities surrounding this unique project. Geldof is now busy profiling the bottom profile and applying the HDPE foil. In addition, a start was made in March on the removal of the top two deformed rings. “On to January 2019 when tank 964 is fully put back into operation. However, it is far from being that far. We will keep track of developments in upcoming issues of Rondom Tanks. we will discuss in detail all the activities surrounding this unique project.