Firmly established as a leading technical and safety forum for Australia’s road tanker sector is Bulk Tanker Day, an annual industry event led by the National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) which brings together operators, manufacturers, regulators, emergency services and industry experts to focus on the issues shaping the future of tanker transport.
Bulk Tanker Day was created with a clear purpose – to improve safety outcomes for the tanker industry through better communication, shared knowledge and collaboration across the sector. Each year, the event provides a rare opportunity for the entire tanker supply chain to come together in one room to discuss operational challenges, safety improvements and emerging regulatory changes affecting the industry.
The NBTA’s Bulk Tanker Day focuses on the practical realities of tanker operations with presentations and panel discussions covering topics such as tanker design and performance standards, new equipment and technology across the tanker supply chain, vehicle safety and rollover prevention, regulatory developments, emergency response and incident management and operational issues raised directly by operators.
Rather than being purely theoretical, the discussions are grounded in real industry experience, bringing together those designing equipment, regulating the industry and operating tanker fleets every day.
“Bulk Tanker Day has its roots in industry efforts to strengthen tanker safety and emergency response capability,” says NBTA Executive Director, Anthony Germanchev. “The first event was held in 2009 as an Emergency Response for Dangerous Goods forum which brought operators and emergency services together to improve preparedness following the Mona Vale tanker incident.
“Over time, the event evolved into Bulk Tanker Day. It was first formally held under that name in 2015 and has since grown into the leading annual forum for Australia’s bulk liquid transport industry. The event now continues to provide a platform for operators, regulators, equipment manufacturers and emergency services to share knowledge and address key safety and operational issues affecting the sector.”
A central part of this collaboration is the partnership between the NBTA and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC). Both parties renewed their Memorandum of Understanding at last year’s Bulk Tanker Day, reinforcing their joint commitment to improving emergency response capability, sharing incident data and supporting industry training initiatives.
Bulk Tanker Day 2026 will take place on Wednesday 13 May at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. AFAC Chief Fire Commissioner, Gavin Freem, has been invited to open the event – reflecting the long-term collaboration between the tanker industry and emergency services in working together to improve safety outcomes.
The 2026 program will feature a range of presentations and discussions aimed at improving safety outcomes, sharing operational insights and exploring new technology and regulatory developments affecting the industry. Key topics on the agenda include:
- Key safety initiatives and industry updates from the operator’s perspective, highlighting current priorities across the tanker sector
- NBTA project learnings – shared insights from recent EBS data projects including rollover near misses locations and what tyre pressure and temperature data says about eliminating tyre fires
- The latest from NTI and the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP), including guidance on safely managing steep descents
- A regulators panel discussion covering recently proposed updates to Australian Standards and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, and their implications for operators
- New WorkSafe Victoria psychological health regulations – what operators need to know about managing psychosocial hazards such as bullying, aggression, fatigue and exposure to traumatic events in the workplace
- New Performance-Based Standards (PBS) requirements for dangerous goods tankers
- The benefits of wide single tyres – improved stability, reduced wear, lower tare mass and potentially higher axle load limits.
Bulk Tanker Day 2026 is proudly supported by major sponsors WHG Technologies and NTI, whose ongoing involvement reflects the strong industry collaboration underpinning the event. Anthony says both organisations support operator-focused, industry-led initiatives committed to improving safety outcomes and adopting new technology across the supply chain.
“As a leading Australian technology provider, WHG drives innovation through connected solutions that help drivers and fleets stay safer, respond faster and operate more efficiently,” he says. “As an NBTA member, they are a team deeply committed to improving safety outcomes.
“As Australia’s leading provider of specialist transport insurance, NTI is recognised for its leadership in heavy vehicle safety through initiatives such as the NTARC Major Accident Investigation Report and the industry-leading Spilt Milk program which provides the dairy and tanker sector with practical information, training and resources to help improve safety outcomes across the supply chain.”
Bulk Tanker Day also features participation from organisations including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), WorkSafe Victoria, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and Country Fire Authority and National Transport Commission, as well as major fuel companies, tanker operators and vehicle and component manufacturers such as Hendrickson, SAF-Holland and MTData.
“This cross-sector engagement ensures the discussions are balanced and practical, allowing industry to raise issues directly with decision-makers and technical experts,” Anthony says.
Bulk Tanker Day also provides an opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers to showcase the latest innovations in tanker equipment, safety systems and fleet technology. Exhibitors from across the tanker supply chain will display products and solutions designed to improve safety, reliability and performance in tanker transport.
The 2026 exhibitors include Road Tanker Systems, Dixon, Liquip International, FuelSpec Services, Normec, Haulmax Tyres, V-DAQ, Fort Vale, Alcoa Wheels, Air CTI, Holmwood Group, WHG Technologies, MTData and M2X Group.
“Bulk Tanker Day continues to focus on practical solutions to the challenges facing tanker operators,” Anthony says. “For operators, the exhibition area offers a chance to engage directly with suppliers, learn about new technologies and explore practical solutions that can be implemented within their fleets.”
