LBC Tank Terminals, a Paris-based operator of storage facilities for liquid bulk chemical products, has ordered 18 Hyster forklifts from Barloworld Internal Transport, of the Netherlands.

The delivery of 17 new Hyster LPG Fortens forklifts, an explosion-proof Hyster electric forklift, and a Terberg tow truck, was made to LBC's Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium, terminals.

The Antwerp terminal's old fleet consisted of diesel forklifts, LBC purchasing head Franks Klink said.

Because the order was made by LBC's Rotterdam terminal, LPG forklifts were ordered for both terminals, in accordance with Dutch law.

Barloworld Internal Transport's Ferdinand van Luttikhuizen said Dutch law required diesel forklifts with capacities over 4 tonnes to be equipped with soot filters if used indoors. Forklifts below 4 tonne capacities could not be used indoors.

"LBC Rotterdam is where the order was decided for Belgium and the Netherlands. So in Belgium they have replaced the diesel trucks with new LPG trucks," he said.

As part of the contract, Barloworld Internal Transport and Hyster would conduct "in house" forklift driver training for 46 drivers in Rotterdam and Antwerp.

LBC also has branches in France, Spain and Portugal, and is active in the USA. It stores up to 2.5 million cubic metres of liquid chemical products in its facilities in Europe and the USA.