Major distribution contract for tanker business

LEWIS Tankers has won a multi-million pound distribution contract with the industrial chemicals division of Brenntag UK and Ireland.

The Goole-based road tanker operator is to provide Brenntag with a total distribution service for all bulk solvents from the chemical distributor’s Scunthorpe storage terminal to its customers nationwide.

Previously, distribution was handled partly in house and partly by a number of road tanker operators on a contracted and spot hire basis, with Lewis Tankers, one of two contracted operators, responsible for around 25% of distribution volumes.

The contract involves managing Brenntag’s distribution needs with a contracted fleet of five multi-compartment solvents tanks supported as required by a second tier of dedicated solvents tanks from Lewis Tankers’ multi-user fleet.

The contract will be managed by Simon Holdway, Lewis Tankers’ regional manager, north east.

Stewart MacDonald, Lewis Tankers’ managing director, said: “Its a solution which provides Brenntag with a highly efficient distribution service.

“It means we can maximise utilisation of the contract fleet and then offer highly competitive trip rates when additional resources are needed. In essence, because we will be using dedicated solvents tanks from our multi-user fleet, it means we can minimise cleanout costs and maximise backload opportunities.”

Kevin Morgan, Brenntag UK’s general manager, solvents business, added: “We are delighted to enter into an agreement of this kind with an existing supplier with a proven track record.

“This new partnership will further enhance our service levels to our customers and maximise efficiency and ensure that we remain competitive in our marketplace.”

Lewis Tankers currently operates a fleet of more than 70 tankers from its headquarters at Hensall. It serves a number of customers in the oil, chemical and gas sectors, including BP, Stepan, Sasol and Scotia Gas Networks.