TFL DEC
15
FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
FUEL
Total fuel
contract
A fuel distribution contract
that entails the delivery of
more than one billion litres of
petrol and diesel per year – and
over three million kilometres
of travel annually – has been
awarded to Imperial Logistics
group company Tanker Services
by Total South Africa.
A THREE YEAR
fuel contract was awarded to Tanker Services for fuel distribution services
in Cape Town, Pretoria, Polokwane and Mpumalanga. The petrol and diesel will be delivered
to Total South Africa clients that include mines, service stations and commercial customers.
According to Imperial Logistics divisional CEO Lucky Maluleke, “Tanker Services secured this
contract on the strength of its expertise, systems and skills in the testing fuel industry – which
means we are able to consistently deliver on world class standards.”
A significant factor in this contract win, he stresses, is that the company is on target with plans
to ensure that all locations get Road Traffic Management System (RTMS) accreditation, which
reflects Imperial’s commitment to road safety. “On achieving RTMS accreditation, in some
of the locations, Tanker Services has become the first fuel business to be accredited. RTMS
is an industry-led, voluntary self regulation scheme, that encourages consignees, consignors
and transport operators engaged in the road logistics value chain to implement a vehicle
management system that preserves road infrastructure, improves road safety and increases
the productivity of the logistics value chain,” he explains. “The system recognises sustainable,
high standards in driver behaviour and fleet maintenance.”
Compliance with health, safety and environment (HSE) and vehicle quality standards are
critical aspects of this contract. Lucky elaborates: “Tanker Services acquired 40 new vehicles
to conform to Total South Africa’s stringent standards, which include the stipulation that
Tanker Services’ vehicles cannot be older than five years at any time in the contract. This
40-vehicle fleet will operate 24 hours a day, loading and offloading seven days a week,
according to the time schedule.” He says that the vehicles will operate in accordance with
Euro III and IV emission standards technology, which will see emissions reduced and ensure
an environmentally friendly fleet for Total South Africa.
Outlining further aspects of this challenging contract, he says that Imperial Logistics’ in-house
driver trainers will ensure that operators comply with company and legal requirements, and
Imperial has also appointed in house health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) teams
to conduct audits on the drivers and vehicles twice a year. “Each operator is assessed on a
six monthly basis on driving, loading and offloading. If he does not meet the required criteria,
he is removed from the working environment until he meets the standard. Each vehicle is
serviced on a monthly basis, in line with legal and company requirements.
“Imperial values the partnership that has been built over years with Total,” he concludes.
