Vanguard Logistics Services (VLS) says its Antwerp facility has received the next stage of hazardous materials (hazmat) licensing from the government.
    VLS Antwerp CFS, which specialises in handling both FCL and LCL hazardous cargo shipments, was granted the improved licence due to its continued focus on security and compliance, a company statement said.
    "Receiving this is a major accomplishment and this permit will set us apart from competition and most other CFS operators in the port of Antwerp," said Peter Andersen, regional managing director for northern Europe. "For example, this location is now allowed to warehouse up to 1,500 tons of hazmat storage per day, whereas other CFS operators are generally permitted to store only up to 200 tons per day."
    The new certification enables VLS Antwerp CFS to store transit cargo for up to 30 days, warehouse up to 1,500 tons per day and store large hazmat FCL cargo shipments.
    With cargo security as a top priority for VLS Antwerp, the CFS is C-TPAT compliant, uses a high foam expansion system and state of the art security detection systems, keeps an in-house DG intervention crew, and handles 500+ UN numbers. "This is a great step forwards in the leading edge that we established in the handling of hazardous material within our industry," said Dirk Leunis, warehouse manager at the facility.
     In other news, VLS has added New Zealand to its Directions and oracle Financials' users. Vanguard New Zealand recently began entering Sea Import and Sea Export files into 'Directions' for sailings in September.
    "Vanguard's strategic goal of a single global operating platform has reached yet another milestone," said Charles Brennan, CEO. "New Zealand has brought us one step closer to achieving VLS' goal of creating a global network with standardised processes that will be of great value to our customers."

Source: Shipping Gazette