Abel Noordanus is the founder of ScanTank and during his time as tank terminal manager, he identified the need for improved and safe cleanliness inspection of tank trailers and tank containers, which inspired him to start the company in 2023. Why did you start ScanTank? I’ve always been puzzled by the fact that, in chemical and food production facilities, cleanliness protocols are strictly followed. Operators wear hairnets, gloves and other protective gear, and product samples are taken at every step of the process. However, when the product is finally ready to be shipped, it’s poured into a tank trailer or tank container without definitive proof that the tank itself is clean. Current inspection methods have a blind spot because the operator’s view through the manhole is not comprehensive, leaving parts of the tank uninspected, thereby, implying potential cause of contamination. Previously, I wasn’t aware of the distinction between “cleaned” and “clean”. I always assumed that if a tank was cleaned, it was indeed clean, but that’s not the case. Delving deeper into this, I discovered that the EFTCO Cleaning Document (ECD) is merely a support document that outlines the cleaning steps performed. It is not a certification and does not guarantee the tank’s cleanliness. This issue relates to liabilities and legal obligations, but ultimately, shippers expect the use of clean tank trailers and tank containers. I believe that the greatest value in the supply chain lies in product integrity and the producer’s reputation. For this reason, we decided to develop ScanTank to eliminate this blind spot and enhance quality assurance throughout the entire supply chain. Can you explain ScanTank’s technology in more detail? ScanTank is an automated camera inspection system that provides an objective view of the interior of tank trailers and tank containers. Its real-time AI analysis offers the operator advice on what is being observed. The license plate or container ID is automatically recognised, and the ECD is scanned. Together with the inspection images, this forms a complete record. Having Eliminate your blind spot with ScanTank The ScanTank automated camera inspection in action The technology aims to eliminate the supply chain’s blind spots when it comes to tank cleanliness Abel Noordanus is the founder of ScanTank and during his time as tank terminal manager, he identified the need for improved and safe cleanliness inspection of tank trailers and tank containers, which inspired him to start the company in 2023 “The data we collecproof that a truck or container is clean before loading offers significant benefits – not properly cleaned containers or trailers are identified and rejected early, and if a future claim arises, the stored images confirm the tank was indeed clean, ruling out that truck as the source of the contamination.
Why is the cleanliness of tanks before loading so important? Everyone in this industry knows an ECD alone doesn’t guarantee that a tank is actually clean. Producers work hard to uphold the highest quality standards for their products, but often load them into tanks without certainty of cleanliness, which carries a risk of contamination. We call this a “blind spot” in the supply chain. Our system eliminates that blind spot by storing a visual record and making it possible to confirm the cleanliness of a specific tank at that specific moment. If contamination does occur, our customers can retrieve the ScanTank file and rule out the tank trailer or container as the root cause. Over the past year, having scanned over 15,000 containers and trailers, we have seen the effect of the ScanTank check. The number of rejected trucks has declined, indicating a better cleaning job is being done – and also because the carriers know they will be thoroughly inspected for cleanliness.
Does your technology remove the need for workers to enter the tank for visual inspections? Yes, absolutely. With ScanTank, operators no longer need to position their head above the manhole or enter the tank. The system acts as an operator’s “smart eyes”, providing an objective cleanliness check. This results in better working conditions, improved safety, and ensures that inspections are conducted objectively. We also have a short demonstration video available on our website, www.scantank.com, for anyone interested in seeing how it works.
Do a lot of tank cleaning companies use your technology? Currently, our systems are mainly deployed at loading stations for chemical and food producers. However, we’re in discussions with several cleaning companies about installing ScanTank at their facilities. We believe that combining our system with eECD and/or ECD benefits the entire supply chain by reducing contamination risks and preventing rejections at loading stations – saving time and money in the process. A cleaning station equipped with a ScanTank system offers a unique selling point to transport companies, while scanning just before loading has its own advantages (for example, ruling out condensation). Ultimately, it depends on the market requirements where in the supply chain ScanTank can be best implemented.
What is ScanTank’s ambition in the tank cleaning industry? We aim to eliminate the supply chain’s blind spots regarding tank cleanliness and improve safety for operators and drivers in the field. From the feedback we’ve received, it is clear ScanTank is more than just a camera inside a tank – the data we collect allows us to rank cleaning stations based on their performance and enables our customers to provide feedback on recurring cleaning issues.
For more information: Visit scantank.com
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