At RBC, we are constantly working on ways to make our service faster, smarter, and more reliable. A great example of this is our Steam Heating Project. We have been offering steam heating from tank containers for a long time, but from now on we will do it at our own terminal. In this blog, we would like to take you behind the scenes.
Why steam?
It started, like so many beautiful projects, with a clear demand from the market. More and more customers need their tank containers to be heated with steam. Some products solidify during transport and need to be heated first before they can be unloaded.
We can already heat products electrically or with hot water, but that takes relatively long. Steam is more efficient. It heats up faster and reaches higher temperatures. With that, steam offers exactly the flexibility that our customers need.
Until now, we have been relying on external parties for steam heating. The containers had to be placed externally for this, resulting in additional steps and longer lead times. By bringing this service in-house, we can react faster, require fewer steps, and reduce costs. For our customers, this means a shorter lead time. Moreover, we have more capacity to handle multiple orders simultaneously.
From market demand to a concrete project
An idea is one thing; making it safe and carefully implemented is another. After the initial plans were drawn up, an extensive process began involving permits, safety studies, and coordination with various authorities, including the DCMR. That took more time than we had anticipated beforehand, mainly due to the regulations in effect. But safety is always our top priority, so we invested that time.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, hard work was being done on the content. Together with specialized parties, we translated our wishes into a concrete design. In the engineering phase, we worked step by step on how the installation would look, where it would be placed, and what was technically and practically necessary to realize everything at the terminal.
Building the installation
After that, the project could really take shape. The contract for the steam installation was signed and the engineering of the steam boiler was completed. Subsequently, our partner RCC modified a 40ft container in which the steam boiler was placed, complete with doors, piping penetrations and a new floor.
In addition to the boiler, we built a work area of containers in which our colleagues connect the tank containers. RCC also refurbished these containers for us, painting them and installing brackets, through-holes and fall protection. We are starting with ten connection points, with the possibility of expanding to twenty in the future.
Stronger together
A project of this size revolves around collaboration. Internally, colleagues from the technical department, modification, IT, operations, safety, and our yard and operations supervisors worked closely together. Externally, we worked with specialized parties for the installation and construction. By bringing together knowledge from different angles and involving colleagues from the very beginning, there was a great deal of support and enthusiasm within the organization.
What this means for our customers
With steam heating in our own terminal, we are taking an important step forward. Our colleagues took training courses on working with steam and altitude, so that everything runs safely. The result: faster service, shorter lines, and room to grow.
The Steam Heating Project is more than just a new installation. It shows how at RBC we translate a market demand into a concrete solution, together with our people and our partners. And we are proud of that.
Curious about what steam heating can do for your cargo? Feel free to contact us. We would be happy to work with you.
