Storage/Loading/Unloading - Ship-to-Shore
June 13, 2010

A customer’s urgent need for a large volume of sulphuric acid led Orica Chemnet to begin working with colleagues in Orica’s Engineering Shared Services division to devise an efficient new delivery method.  The outcome was a safe method of transferring sulphuric acid from a sea tanker directly into road tankers. This unique ‘Ship-to-Shore’ capability allows deliveries to locations where shore-based tanks are not available.  Using pumps on the ship to transfer the product via pipes into 20 tonne road tankers, the customer was able to take possession of the required volume in a matter of days. The process was also completed without incident or injury to the personnel involved.  “The ship-to-shore service allows for fast, safe delivery of large volumes of sulphuric acid when inadequate port-side infrastructure is in place,” said Marketing Manager John Bresnahan.   “Without this capability, the customer would have to wait for weeks while the product was transported by road from a port with the requisite infrastructure.”  Initially trialled at the port of Darwin in northern Australia, the success of this Orica initiative has led to another customer requesting the same service in New Caledonia early next year.  This exciting step change in the sulphuric acid business, which has resulted from combining Chemnet’s extensive distribution experience with the expertise available in Orica’s Engineering Shared Services team, not only delivers innovative solutions to customers, but also provides a springboard for further business growth.