Omni Tanker creates world-first triple road train tanker

Australian composite materials innovator, Omni Tanker, has launched an innovative composite triple road train tanker. Able to move almost 100 tonnes of payload in a single run, this world-first also significantly reduces operational costs for its customer, Townsville Logistics.

“Omni Tanker is combining advanced manufacturing technology with aerospace materials and heavy-duty trailers to deliver game-changing liquid payloads for the critical minerals processing industry – right here in Australia,” said Daniel Rodgers, CEO and Founder of Omni Tanker.

Advanced composite materials and engineering practices more commonly found in aerospace have been applied by Omni Tanker, along with advanced fabrication techniques that reduce the weight of the trailer units. Additionally, ‘Mould-in-Baffles’ developed by Omni Tanker that better manage the movement of fluid (surge) in road tankers are a world-first.

Conceptualised five years ago, the Mould-in-Baffle principle is now an important part of Omni Tanker’s innovation portfolio, with the technology entering service in the Australian market, followed by export markets, including North America and Europe.

The actual construction of the triple road train set was a collaborative project between Omni Tanker and Mick Murray Welding. Advanced carbon fibre composite material used in the construction results in a payload gain of 15 per cent gain, which in turn reduces the number of trips and associated emissions.

“This was our first build with Mick Murray Welding for Townsville Logistics and really, it’s the first build of its type in the world,” Rodgers explained. “Mick Murray Welding was crucial in achieving project success for our first product in the mining sector. They knew what the mining industry demanded, and they knew the harsh operating conditions they operate in, so it made absolute sense to combine Omni Tanker’s lightweight tanks with their high-tensile steel-skeletal trailers.

“Via advanced manufacturing techniques and outstanding partners, we were able to boost the payload carrying capacity of road tankers for chemical liquids from the current 85 tonnes per load, typical of stainless-steel tanks, to 98 tonnes – a fifteen per cent uplift.”

Three triple road train sets have been delivered to Townsville Logistics for use in heavy acid transport across Northern Australia, with their greater payload capacity meaning fewer trips, as well as associated cost and environmental benefits.

The triple road train tanker is one of a number of major initiatives Townsville Logistics has taken up to reduce their emissions footprint while significantly increasing the payload for its tank trailers. Operating at a maximum allowable vehicle weight, the way to increase net payload transported – and cut down on trips and associated emissions – is to reduce the tare weight of equipment.

Omni Tanker is an Australian innovation success story, using advanced composite materials to produce lightweight tanks with exceptional chemical resistance by combining the strength of carbon fibre composites with the chemical resistance of specialty thermoplastic liners using their patented technology.

Find out more at Omni Tanker