(EnergyAsia, January 18 2011, Tuesday) — Royal Vopak, the world’s largest independent tank storage service provider for bulk liquid chemicals, gasses and oil products, said Eelco Hoekstra assumed his new role as chairman of the executive board on January 1.

Mr Hoekstra, a former President of the company’s Asia unit, is supported by two executive board members, vice-chairman and CFO Jack de Kreij, and COO Frits Eulderink.

Operating in 31 countries, Vopak has 80 terminals with a total storage capacity of 28.7 million cubic metres strategically located for users along the world’s major shipping routes. The majority of its customers are chemical and oil companies, for which Vopak stores a large variety of products destined for a wide range of industries.