StocExpo Turns 20 – Two Decades of Industry Leadership and Transformation
In March 2025, StocExpo will celebrate its 20th anniversary as the leading global platform for the bulk liquid storage industry. From its humble beginnings in 2005 in Rotterdam, where a community of tank storage professionals first gathered amid a snow-covered landscape, to its current status as a must-attend international event, StocExpo has grown exponentially. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of successful exhibitions and forging lasting connections, facilitating countless business deals, and evolving in tandem with an industry facing constant transformation.
Margaret Dunn, who has been with StocExpo almost from its inception, captures the essence of this transformation:
StocExpo has evolved tremendously over the past 20 years, from focusing primarily on oil and gas storage to becoming the go-to event for energy infrastructure, future fuels, and digitalisation.
The event is now more than a conference and exhibition; it is a vital meeting place where the tank storage community comes together to address the challenges and opportunities that have emerged from a rapidly shifting energy landscape.
From Oil Storage to the Energy Transition
When the first StocExpo was held, the focus was firmly on oil and gas storage. Over the years, as the energy sector has adapted to technological advances and environmental imperatives, StocExpo has mirrored these shifts. Today, the event offers a comprehensive view of the energy storage landscape, including key topics such as hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biofuels, and ammonia.
Dunn notes,
Hydrogen is going to be a key part of the future clean energy mix,
“The energy transport, storage, and logistics sector will be crucial to match hydrogen supply with international demand.”
The addition of the Clean Ammonia Storage Conference at this year’s event is a testament to the vital role new fuels will play in the future energy economy.
Philippe Wauters, General Sales Manager at Belven, adds:
StocExpo has had a long-lasting impact on Belven over the years,
“A couple of years ago, we were able to finalise an approximately €2 million deal with an important customer during StocExpo – this is something you don’t forget in a hurry.” Wauters sees the next twenty years bringing even more evolution, particularly in the increased demand for new fuels like ammonia and hydrogen.
The evolution of StocExpo can also be seen in its partnerships. This year, Sprint Robotics joined forces at the event, underscoring the importance of robotics and drones in improving the safety and efficiency of tank inspections. Sprint Robotics’ demonstration area at StocExpo 2025 will showcase the latest technological advancements, allowing attendees to witness first-hand how robotics transforms site operations and makes the tank storage industry safer and more efficient.
Celebrating Technological Innovations and Industry Resilience
Technological innovation has always been a cornerstone of the StocExpo experience. In the early years, the excitement lay in automation and inspection technologies. Alec Keeler of Carbis Loadtec recalls the interest in drones and internal tank inspection robots as key trends that emerged over the years.
Keeler says:
I have seen huge growth in automation in various forms,
“It is always interesting to walk around and see what’s trending.”
Keeler also highlights the event’s role in giving suppliers and attendees a real sense of industry momentum.
This year, StocExpo will feature the Future Fuels Stage, focusing solely on future fuel storage innovations. Here, experts will discuss everything from sustainable aviation fuel to blue-sky ideas involving hydrogen, offering insights into how the tank storage industry can adapt to the ongoing energy transition. Additionally, the StocExpo Spotlight trail will guide attendees through exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge future fuel technologies, helping operators and stakeholders find the solutions they need for a greener future.
A new and exciting addition for 2025 is the North America Pavilion, which aims to bring a fresh international perspective to the event. The pavilion will allow North American companies to showcase their expertise to a European and global audience, highlighting innovations and trends from across the Atlantic. As the industry continues to globalise, initiatives like this help ensure that StocExpo remains at the forefront of connecting professionals across borders and catalysing growth opportunities.
The Importance of Networking and Community
Over the past two decades, StocExpo has been defined by the relationships forged in its bustling exhibition halls and during its events. To commemorate this anniversary, a special off-site networking party will be held in central Rotterdam, providing another opportunity for attendees to connect with their peers in a festive atmosphere. Networking is one of the critical elements that has kept companies returning year after year.
Keeler continues,
The event provides a wider audience for our philosophy, passion, and products and the ability to make meaningful connections,
“A good number of which we are proud to call friends.”
This year, StocExpo is taking a step further by launching an exclusive tour of Liquin Terminal, a leader in liquid tank storage with over 70 years of experience. The tour will allow attendees to explore Liquin’s facilities up close, gaining insights into the company’s advanced logistics systems and how they contribute to the reliability and resilience of their industries. Liquin’s commitment to sustainability and innovation perfectly embodies the values that StocExpo has championed throughout its two decades of existence.
Dunn emphasises the importance of this sense of community:
StocExpo prides itself on being the global meeting place for those involved in safe and sustainable energy storage and logistics,
She explains,
The longevity and success of the event are due in no small part to the strong relationships it has helped build.
This sentiment is echoed by Philippe Wauters from Belven, who notes that StocExpo offers a unique opportunity to meet new customers and gather feedback on product development, critical insights that help businesses evolve in a changing market.
Looking to the Future: Challenges and Opportunities
As StocExpo moves into its third decade, the challenges and opportunities facing the tank storage industry have never been more complex. The ongoing energy transition is placing unprecedented demands on the sector, with companies needing to balance their existing operations with developing new infrastructure for future fuels. StocExpo is at the heart of this transformation, offering a platform for open discussion, sharing best practices, and promoting innovation.
The Clean Ammonia Storage Conference, a partnership with the NH3 Event, is one such initiative that seeks to address these challenges head-on.
Dunn explains,
Ammonia’s role in the energy transition is becoming increasingly significant,
“This partnership will ensure logistics service providers from all over the globe can stay up to date with the latest future fuel regulations and meet the partners they need to develop this rapidly growing market.”
This specialised content is crucial for helping the industry navigate the complexities of transitioning to new energy sources.
But it is not all about conferences and keynote speakers. StocExpo has always been about creating memorable experiences, and the 20th-anniversary edition will be no different. From live demonstrations of robotics and drones by Sprint Robotics to a resident DJ at the evening networking party, this year’s event promises to be a celebration of the past two decades and an optimistic look to the future.
Twenty Years of Impact
The 20th anniversary of StocExpo is a celebration not just of the event itself but also of the tank storage industry and all the individuals, companies, and innovations that have contributed to its evolution. From technological advancements in automation and robotics to the rise of future fuels and the ongoing energy transition, StocExpo has been there every step, providing the platform for the industry to connect, grow, and innovate.
As the industry looks ahead, the lessons of the past two decades are clear: collaboration, innovation, and adaptability will be key. StocExpo has been instrumental in fostering these qualities, bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain and giving them the tools and connections they need to succeed.
Dunn concludes,
We look forward to welcoming attendees from across the globe to what promises to be our most revolutionary edition yet,
Join the global tank storage community at StocExpo 2025 in Rotterdam for an unforgettable celebration of 20 years of industry excellence. Save the date, 11-12 March, and be part of the future of energy storage.
Learn more here: https://www.stocexpo.com/en/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=media-partner&utm_campaign=HC&utm_content=PRESS-RELEASE&actioncode=5023
Register to attend for free: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/1wicpgkzievbp?actioncode=5023
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StocExpo Turns 20 – Two Decades of Industry Leadership and Transformation
