Shaping the strategic future of tank terminals
On 15–16 May 2025, the Federation of European Tank Storage Associations (FETSA) held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Marseilles. Featuring the participation of OpenTAS CMO Wolfram Wege, the FETSA AGM delivered a compelling vision for the future of tank terminals as critical enablers of Europe’s energy security, sustainability and defense strategies. The occasion sparked transformative discussions, positioning tank terminals as pivotal assets when it comes to navigating the EU’s ever-evolving geopolitical and energy landscape.
Tank terminals: from technical operations to strategic assets
The AGM underscored the growing strategic importance of tank terminals, which have transitioned from background technical operations to central pillars underpinning the EU’s focus on the self-sufficiency and security of its energy supply. Against the backdrop of an uneven energy transition, contested geopolitical shifts and multidimensional digital and inflation challenges, tank terminals are now being recognized as critical infrastructure for securing strategic energy supply chains and meeting emerging defense needs. FETSA emphasized the need for terminals to rise to these challenges through enhanced EU-wide collaboration and cutting-edge technical innovation.
Policy priorities and strategic frameworks
The discussions at the AGM highlighted the evolving policy landscape that is currently shaping the tank storage sector. The European Commission’s shifting priorities – from Jacques Delors’s Single Market vision to the Green Deal and geopolitics as pursued by the current Commission under Ursula von der Leyen – have set the stage for a Commission that potentially focuses on security from 2025 to 2029. Key initiatives here include the Defence White Paper, various energy security frameworks and the EU’s Readiness 2030 program, alongside positive developments in logistics, such as west-to-east logistics and ‘Eurotank’. These frameworks position tank terminals as strategic players for building resilience in the fields of energy and defense.
The AGM also addressed global challenges impacting the sector, including sanctions on nations such as Russia, Belarus and Iran, and export bans on advanced technologies including photolithography, biotechnology, chips and AI models. Trade wars, tariffs and policies such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the roadmap to end Russian energy imports further underscore the need for terminals to adapt to a world in flux. FETSA’s role as a trusted partner of the European Commission and NATO ensures the sector has a voice in these critical policy discussions, with governments increasingly seeking FETSA’s expertise.
Innovation as a cornerstone
To meet the demands of this new era, the AGM emphasized the need for Terminal Management Systems to evolve from administrative tools into AI-powered, strategic platforms – the ‘brains of the terminal’, as these systems have been described. OpenTAS, a leading provider of advanced terminal management solutions, is at the forefront of this transformation. By integrating AI-driven analytics, real-time data processing and robust automation, OpenTAS empowers terminals to optimize operations, enhance security and align with the EU’s sustainability and energy goals. FETSA’s commitment to research and quality policy engagement dovetails with OpenTAS’s mission to deliver innovative solutions that ensure terminals remain resilient and adaptable in a rapidly changing landscape.
A call for collaboration
The AGM highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration across the EU to address the sector’s challenges. FETSA’s professionalized communications, high-profile events with policymakers and partnerships with top-tier public affairs agencies have solidified its position as the leading trade organization in Brussels for energy security and storage. At OpenTAS we support this collaborative vision by providing cutting-edge tools that enable seamless integration and data sharing across terminal networks, fostering a unified approach to energy security and sustainability. FETSA’s unique reach and influence enable it to shape policy, with a focus on building a secure, sustainable Europe, particularly in the context of advancing self-sufficiency in energy and supporting defense strategies.
Looking ahead
The FETSA AGM 2025 marked a turning point for the tank storage industry, highlighting terminals as strategic assets for a transformed Europe. By fostering innovation, collaboration and policy engagement, FETSA is paving the way for a resilient future. The association invites stakeholders to join the conversation and explore the evolving role of tank terminals in securing the European energy and defense landscape.
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