Rapid growth in the use of tank containers, both locally and abroad, has forced a more stringent approach to industry standards and controls. Most cargo, ranging from dry foodstuffs to liquids, is now transported in specialised, purpose-built containers, with South Africa, a leading manufacturer, set to produce about half of the world's demand in tank containers this year. Regulation of this growing industry has become imperative to ensure the safe transportation of goods across international boundaries, says international accreditation company Bureau Veritas. Regulation includes the important aspect of the design and construction of the containers to exacting standards. Regulatory bodies in various countries, primarily in Europe and the USA, periodically issue regulations governing the design, testing, manufacture and approval of intermodal containers. They in turn task international accreditation organisations such as Bureau Veritas to classify the containers in accordance with their regulations. In South Africa, Bureau Veritas Quality International is responsible for the classification and inspection of tank containers. Since 1967 Bureau Veritas has classified and inspected some 3 million dry freight containers and 20 000 tank containers, which amounts to more than half of the world's fleet!
