Omni Composite Tank (OCT) has obtained the world’s first approval for a carbon fibre-reinforced Portable Tank for international maritime transport.
The tests required for approval under the IMDG Code were coordinated and conducted by TÜV SÜD. In June 2026, TÜV SÜD, acting as an Inspection Body, had already supported the approval of the tank design by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
OCT’s Omni ISO tank combines a special thermoplastic lining with a carbon fibre composite structure. According to OCT, the advantages of this design include high resistance to corrosive chemicals, long-term durability without the need for maintenance, and significant weight savings compared to conventional steel tanks. The tank is suitable for a wide range of corrosive, toxic, oxidising, high-purity, pharmaceutical, and food-grade liquids. Its reduced weight allows for higher payloads in road, rail, and maritime transport. OCT is a Hong Kong-based joint venture between Omni Tanker and McConaghy Boats. The company combines Omni Tanker’s proprietary composite tank technology with McConaghy’s advanced composite manufacturing expertise to produce next-generation composite ISO tanks for global transport.
Development of the innovative Omni fibre-reinforced tanks in accordance with ADR/RID began in 2014. TÜV SÜD was involved in the inspection process from the very beginning and supported the certification of the tanks for road and rail transport and, more recently, for maritime transport, forming the basis for approval by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). TÜV SÜD has already supported OCT in various projects, contributing its long-standing expertise in the assessment and certification of transportablepressure equipment and dangerous goods containments. Furthermore, TÜV SÜD contributed
to the development of the new testing requirements and regulatory provisions for fibrereinforced portable tanks within the United Nations framework, including ADR/RID 6.9 andIMDG Code 6.10, as part of the German delegation of national representatives. Theseprovisions are a key regulatory basis for certification by the competent authority.
The current approval of OCT´s Omni ISO tank under the IMDG Code for International MaritimeDangerous Goods marks an important milestone for the use of carbon fibre-reinforcedcomposite portable tanks in the global transport of dangerous goods. “I am very pleased thatwe have been able to support this challenging project over such a long period of time,” saidMichael Krämer, Head of the Notified Body/Inspection Body for Transportable PressureEquipment/Dangerous Goods Containments at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH.“Assessment by independent and experienced experts based on the relevant legal frameworksensures that innovative solutions such as OCT’s Omni ISO tank are safe and brought to marketin compliance with all applicable regulations.”
Regulatory requirements for transportable pressure equipment
The placing on the market of transportable pressure equipment for Class 2 gases in Europe issubject to the provisions of European Directive 2010/35/EU (Transportable PressureEquipment Directive – TPED). ForClasses 3 to 9, transportable tanks are regulated undernational rules in conjunction with ADR/RID and the IMDG Code. The conformity assessmentprocedures are specified in ADR/RID 6.2, 6.7 and 6.8, and for fibre-reinforcedtanks (portabletanks) in ADR/RID 6.9 and IMDG Code 6.10. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH is arecognised inspection body (Xa) under ISO/IEC 17020 and a Notified Body under Directive2010/35/EU. It is also recognised by BAM for the testing of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)and transportable tanks in accordance with the IMDG Code. July 30, 2026
The tests required for approval under the IMDG Code were coordinated and conducted by TÜV SÜD. In June 2026, TÜV SÜD, acting as an Inspection Body, had already supported the approval of the tank design by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
OCT’s Omni ISO tank combines a special thermoplastic lining with a carbon fibre composite structure. According to OCT, the advantages of this design include high resistance to corrosive chemicals, long-term durability without the need for maintenance, and significant weight savings compared to conventional steel tanks. The tank is suitable for a wide range of corrosive, toxic, oxidising, high-purity, pharmaceutical, and food-grade liquids. Its reduced weight allows for higher payloads in road, rail, and maritime transport. OCT is a Hong Kong-based joint venture between Omni Tanker and McConaghy Boats. The company combines Omni Tanker’s proprietary composite tank technology with McConaghy’s advanced composite manufacturing expertise to produce next-generation composite ISO tanks for global transport.
Development of the innovative Omni fibre-reinforced tanks in accordance with ADR/RID began in 2014. TÜV SÜD was involved in the inspection process from the very beginning and supported the certification of the tanks for road and rail transport and, more recently, for maritime transport, forming the basis for approval by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). TÜV SÜD has already supported OCT in various projects, contributing its long-standing expertise in the assessment and certification of transportablepressure equipment and dangerous goods containments. Furthermore, TÜV SÜD contributed
to the development of the new testing requirements and regulatory provisions for fibrereinforced portable tanks within the United Nations framework, including ADR/RID 6.9 andIMDG Code 6.10, as part of the German delegation of national representatives. Theseprovisions are a key regulatory basis for certification by the competent authority.
The current approval of OCT´s Omni ISO tank under the IMDG Code for International MaritimeDangerous Goods marks an important milestone for the use of carbon fibre-reinforcedcomposite portable tanks in the global transport of dangerous goods. “I am very pleased thatwe have been able to support this challenging project over such a long period of time,” saidMichael Krämer, Head of the Notified Body/Inspection Body for Transportable PressureEquipment/Dangerous Goods Containments at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH.“Assessment by independent and experienced experts based on the relevant legal frameworksensures that innovative solutions such as OCT’s Omni ISO tank are safe and brought to marketin compliance with all applicable regulations.”
Regulatory requirements for transportable pressure equipment
The placing on the market of transportable pressure equipment for Class 2 gases in Europe issubject to the provisions of European Directive 2010/35/EU (Transportable PressureEquipment Directive – TPED). ForClasses 3 to 9, transportable tanks are regulated undernational rules in conjunction with ADR/RID and the IMDG Code. The conformity assessmentprocedures are specified in ADR/RID 6.2, 6.7 and 6.8, and for fibre-reinforcedtanks (portabletanks) in ADR/RID 6.9 and IMDG Code 6.10. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH is arecognised inspection body (Xa) under ISO/IEC 17020 and a Notified Body under Directive2010/35/EU. It is also recognised by BAM for the testing of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)and transportable tanks in accordance with the IMDG Code. July 30, 2026
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