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Storage tank operator Odfjell has confirmed that it has shut down a further 50 tanks at its facility [pictured] in the port of Rotterdam.

The decision follows the news last week that government inspectors had ordered 30 tanks to be closed down because of the risk of leaks and the lack of proper safety measures.

Odfjell has acknowledged the problems and the director in charge of maintenance was reported to have resigned last week. The company has been given until August to get safety standards and personnel training in order.

Odfjell Terminals (Rotterdam) BV is one of the largest independent tank storage terminals in Europe. It has been operational since 1957.

The tank farm consists of nearly 300 tanks, ranging in size from 735 to 40 000 cubic metres (cbm). The total capacity of the terminal encompasses more than 1.63 million cbm, of which approximately 33 000 cbm is stainless steel.

All tanks have dedicated tank lines to a pump station from where the tanks can be accessed by dedicated, product dedicated or multipurpose shore lines. Each tank is equipped with automatic gauging equipment.

The terminal has five jetties for deep-sea tankers, with a maximum depth of 39.6 ft alongside. There are seven positions for short-sea tankers, fourteen positions for barge activities and furthermore nineteen platforms for the handling of road tank trucks, iso-tank containers and rail tank cars.

For the handling of high-volume products per rail tank car, OTR has a block train facility (Rail Cargo Center) for both clean petroleum products and bulk liquid chemicals.

Image: Odfjell's storage terminal in Rotterdam