IMPERIAL Logistics group company Tanker Services has been accredited as the only ICMI (International Cyanide Management Institute) accredited transporter in southern Africa. The company is ending 2012 on a high note, following this certification and several other achievements, including National Driver of the Year Awards and RTMS (Road Transport Management System) accreditation.

The ICMI Code is a voluntary industry programme for companies involved in the production of gold using cyanide, as well as companies producing and transporting this cyanide. It was developed under the guidance of the United Nations Environment Programme. “ICMI accreditation is a key requirement from Sasol’s gold-mining customers,” explains Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Maluleke. Having attained this certification, Tanker Services’ Specialised Products division joins the elite group of just 68 internationally certified cyanide transporters, with only 12 of these based in Africa. “We are extremely proud to be the only accredited transporter in southern Africa,” Maluleke adds.

On achieving RTMS accreditation, Tanker Services Fuel & Gas (Germiston) has also become the only dangerous goods hauler that has been accredited and the first company in the fuel industry. RTMS is an industry-led, voluntary self-regulation scheme that encourages consignees, consignors and transport operators engaged in the road logistics value chain to implement a vehicle management system that preserves road infrastructure, improves road safety and increases the productivity of the logistics value chain. The system recognises sustainable, high standards in driver behavior and fleet maintenance.

The National Driver of the Year Awards saw two drivers from Tanker Services Fuel & Gas Nelspruit depot take top honours. Zweli Mlombo was named Mpumalanga Regional and Provincial Winner and Andrew Godi was the Mpumalanga Overall Winner. “This competition is one of the Road Safety Programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of heavy motor vehicle drivers in order to reduce accidents and fatalities on our roads,” Maluleke states.

In addition to its recent achievements, Tanker Services is also ensuring that the quality that pervades all areas of its business is transferred further afield. As part of the company’s training and enterprise development initiative, a three-day Dangerous Goods training course was offered to the upcoming entrepreneurs who are running their small business in Soweto. The small business owners received certificates after successfully completing the programme.

“We are committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and from which we draw our workforce,” Maluleke concludes.