Serge De Wolf (Vervaeke) well versed in ADR transport
Hazardous goods transport has been a thread running through Serge De Wolf’s career for 37 years. The managing director of tanker transporter Vervaeke in Belgium, France and Luxembourg focuses on the challenges in the sector as a specialist. You will also find this contribution in the latest Flows magazine.
Serge De Wolf is a biochemical engineer by training. He took his first steps in the transport of ADR goods as an inspector at the then Depauw & Stokoe (SGS). “While sampling the cargo of ocean-going vessels, I almost literally got a taste of chemistry and that interest has never left me.” He later made the switch to ADR carrier Coulier in Hamme. That company was taken over by French company Samat after a bankruptcy. Before joining Vervaeke as managing director for Belgium, France and Luxembourg two years ago, De Wolf spent 16 years at Antwerp-based tanker transporter Trafuco, the last four of which as CEO.
Following the acquisitions of Dutch family-owned companies Van der Lee and Jan Dohmen in 2017 and 2019 respectively, Vervaeke operates from 13 locations located in Europe’s largest chemical cluster.
Transporting acids
“I have always had a passion for safe transportation of dangerous goods,” De Wolf says. “The new challenge appealed to me because of the strong and healthy image Vervaeke enjoys as a group in the sector and because of the company’s specialisation in the most challenging branches of ADR transport. Think of transporting acids, alkalis, cyanides and cryo gases where there is a need for the highest safety standards.”
Despite his impressive track record in ADR transport, De Wolf was thoroughly impressed by the ins and outs of his current employer. “Safety is really ingrained in the corporate culture here. There is also a continuous focus on research & development of the technical aspect of ADR transport. The company has the necessary knowledge and experience to find the best possible equipment for transporting dangerous goods. This also involves looking at suppliers outside Europe. Finally, there is the necessary willingness among the company’s owners to invest in that high-quality equipment.”
Plea for uniform regulations
As a specialist in the field, De Wolf has long assumed responsibility as chairman of the ADR committee at Febetra and the ‘Logistics’ working group of the Belgian Association of Chemical Distributors. From these roles, he has long been advocating for uniform regulations for ADR transport in Belgium. “The differences in regulations between the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels regions are not a good thing. We are breaking a lance to make it a federal matter again. It is a pity, for example, that we were not consulted beforehand about the renewal of the exams for ADR drivers in Flanders. Fortunately, the field is usually listened to.”
Difficult hurdles can also be taken
The tricky position of the European chemical industry, which is increasingly feeling the competition from the United States and China, is also high on De Wolf’s agenda. “Europe is currently in danger of pricing itself out of the market due to strict regulation on sustainability and slow licensing policies. Of course we need to pay attention to climate issues, but you cannot shoot yourself in the foot either.” Although he also sees opportunities. “Our mission as ADR transporters is to continue to specialise. ‘Difficult hurdles can also be taken’ is the guiding principle at Vervaeke. In-house knowledge about dangerous goods is waning at many companies due to the many challenges and obligations coming their way. For Vervaeke, it is a case of responding to those challenges.”
Tension
Vervaeke is conducting tests with a fuel cell truck (see box) before the end of this year. “Such tests are important for us to know how the vehicle will behave. What are the challenges, for example, when loading and unloading, and what about the risks when refuelling hydrogen at a temperature below -250 °C. What safety measures are needed during a repair in one of our garages? These are all questions we want to see answered thanks to the tests.”
Although other obstacles lie ahead. “Getting approval from SEVESO companies to drive a hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck onto the site poses a challenge. We have experienced it before with lng tractors being refused because of the safety risk. It is an example of the tension between the demand to address your CO2 emissions as an ADR carrier and the daily practice,” de Wolf concludes.
