Sebenza, South Africa - Polyurethane raw material specialist Industrial Urethanes in South Africa has just made its first delivery of MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) using a new 31-ton supertanker, custom-designed and manufactured as the result of a joint initiative between Industrial Urethanes and its long-term logistics partner Cargo Carriers.
The first delivery went to Whirlpool's refrigerator and freezer plant at Isithebe, north of Durban, said a statement from Industrial Urethanes.
Pointing out that the tanker started operating during IU's twenty-fifth year, managing director Mike Bee said: "This is modern logistics at its best and it underlines the commitment we have to using technology to provide our customers with the best possible service."
Samtor Tankers of Krugersdorp made the tank from high-grade steel plates welded together, insulated and then covered with a 304 stainless steel exterior, in a process that took five weeks. All of the machine and hand welds on the 4.5-metre-long tank were X-rayed to ensure the highest quality and integrity, said IU.
This is the first tank Samtor has made for carrying isocyanate: "We had to meet the very high specifications required by Industrial Urethanes and Cargo Carriers and were up to the challenges this posed," said Samtor Tankers technical director Jan Klaver.
Describing logistics as a business where "high technology, safety and technical specifications and improved delivery are essential, Cargo Carriers' logistics manager Mark Quinn said the new tanker delivers "a better cost per ton of material delivered and provides capacity for increases in customers and volumes."
PIC: Cargo's Mark Quinn and Industrial Urethanes sales manager Anita Mulqueeny shelter from the sun alongside the supertanker when it made its first delivery to Whirlpool in KwaZulu-Natal
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