CARRIERS that dedicate tank trailers to ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) are likely to face a 25% reduction in productivity, said John Conley, National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) president.
“You can expect to hire additional drivers and pay them extra because of the additional work that will be required,” Conley added, speaking at the NTTC Safety Seminar April 4-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, he pointed out that dedicated tank trailers will protect carriers against blame when product contamination does occur in the supply chain. “It looks like now, at least in the beginning, we are looking at dedicated trailers,” he said.
The good news is that the transition to ULSD isn't likely to be a long-term problem, probably causing problems for no more than six to nine months after the Environmental Protection Agency requirements began in June 2006, Conley said.
The requirements will be phased in between June 2006 (80% of fuel sold) and 2010 (100%). Off-road equipment has five years until it must comply with the ULSD requirement.
The EPA's 80/20 rule for on-road diesel fuel will allow 20% of the diesel produced in 2006 to have the current sulfur content of 500 parts per million, while 80% must meet the 15 ppm level. The 500-ppm fuel will remain available in diminishing quantities until 2010.
Meanwhile, concerns about initial handling include the possibility that load sampling might be necessary, Conley said.
He recommended carriers establish a quality control program for product control, and said NTTC can provide program samples.