As a niche segment, chemical transportation by road often involves a different mindset to fuel haulage. Unanderra Tanker Hire is one of the industry’s leading practitioners.
Unanderra Tanker Hire (UTH), a leading chemical transportation company based in Port Kembla, has recently acquired three DAF XF530 Euro VI prime movers. These additions have proven their worth in crucial areas such as fuel economy, driver acceptance, and safety.
As a specialist in chemical transportation, UTH caters to various industries with unique requirements. One of the new DAF XF530 trucks operates in Brisbane, delivering laundry chemicals and servicing breweries. The other two trucks are assigned to more traditional tanker tasks.
Chemical needs: Go
Unlike fuel or milk tankers, chemical transportation demands a focus not solely on optimising high-productivity combinations but also on meeting customer expectations and navigating challenging access points.
UTH addresses these challenges by using semi-trailers that offer the best compromise between productivity and accessibility. With a fleet of single trailers weighing 44 tonnes, UTH can handle tight entrances at metropolitan water treatment plants and waste station sites in regional areas.
Drivers at these sites are often confronted with problematic access that requires trucks to have cross-locks and power dividers, according to Jeremiah Justice Wiedl, UTH General Manager. “Most of these entry points are just dirt roads better suited to a 4×4 passenger vehicle,” he says. “That’s where the big trucks don’t fit. We can make it work using a semi with a compartment of a product, and then we’ll leave. We reload the semi elsewhere and go away on a long trip.”
UTH’s chemical transportation operations are tailored to the needs of customers. UTH ensures that it delivers the precise amount of product required, whether it is 5000 or 20,000 litres. This meticulous approach to load optimisation maximises fleet use and enables UTH to efficiently cater to a wide range of customer storage tank sizes.
UTH’s fleet comprises 21 rigids, primarily used for urban assignments. However, most vehicles are prime movers, totalling nearly 60 units. Alongside the three new DAF XF530 trucks, UTH operates five other DAF vehicles that have proven their reliability and versatility over the years. The decision to invest in DAF trucks was driven by their storage options, adaptability to urban confines, and performance.
Flexibility is key
UTH’s expertise extends to transporting hydrochloric acid, a critical component in the galvanising industry. With the flexibility afforded by the DAF trucks, UTH drivers can reload and embark on additional long-haul trips after completing early morning deliveries. For example, they may transport hydrochloric acid to gold mines in the state’s central west.
This flexibility enables UTH drivers to optimise their hours and cater to the diverse needs of their customers. It would be unheard of, Jeremiah says, in the fuel and milk markets.
Working under higher mass limits (HML), UTH has the provision for loading up to 46 tonnes of gross vehicle mass (GVM), although the payload rarely exceeds 25 tonnes.
UTH’s strategic decision-making has been pivotal in its growth and competitive positioning. The company’s approach to the total cost of ownership and technical proficiency has allowed for linear growth over the years. UTH has optimised its fleet and remains competitive by carefully considering traffic conditions, site access, and maintenance costs.
A mechanic by trade, Jeremiah emphasises the importance of maintaining and repurposing equipment. UTH’s fleet includes new and older models. The expertise of the company’s in-house workshop, supported by trusted external providers, ensures that the fleet remains well-maintained and reliable.
“I was brought up to try and maintain things and keep them going,” Jeremiah says. “That’s always been something Dad has emphasised from the start.”
The newest Euro VI DAF XF530 trucks are not, unlike some other European brands in the fleet, on contract maintenance schemes. Maintenance of the fleet in the main is performed in-house. The workshop employs six personnel, including a fabricator.
“The challenge with contract maintenance is you need to return to the dealer,” Jeremiah says. “If the fleet is not profitable, you’re paying a bloke to just sit with a truck at a dealership all the time. That becomes a false saving when you look at the wage component.”
Finding the Golden Path
The three new Euro VI DAF XF530 trucks have quickly become the preferred choice for UTH. Manufactured in the same factory where the company’s first truck was made, these DAF trucks offer readily available parts, competitive pricing, and improved cost of ownership. Jeremiah praises the XF530 turning circle, versatility, and support network.
“The chief reason is the impossible places we need to get into. You need a conventional truck. Drivers need a truck with a really good turning circle. They’ve never let me down, and the drivers now love them,” says Jeremiah.
Unanderra Tanker Hire’s investment in the new DAF XF530 Euro VI prime movers marks a milestone in the company’s journey to revolutionise chemical transportation. By prioritising fuel economy, driver acceptance, and safety, UTH has set new standards in the industry.
With the performance of the DAF trucks and a dedicated team, UTH continues to thrive and adapt to the evolving needs of its customers.
For more information, visit: www.daf.com.au and www.uth.com.au
