From supply chain upheaval to sustainability shifts, 2025 challenged conventional thinking in the bitumen industry. Across transport, storage, and infrastructure planning, operators had to adapt to changing expectations, new risks, and a stronger focus on logistical efficiency. For TEC, this has been a year of listening closely, responding with purpose, and preparing for what comes next. As we look toward 2026, this article reviews the key trends, lessons, and highlights that shaped global bitumen logistics.
Global Trends That Shaped Bitumen Handling in 2025
Geopolitical and environmental volatility disrupted global shipping routes in 2025. According to a recent report, global maritime trade growth is projected to stall at just 0.5 %, as long‑distance rerouting, rising costs, and trade‑policy uncertainty challenge cargo flows.
For bitumen supply chains, these disruptions translated into longer transit times, higher freight costs, and greater risk, prompting many operators to rethink reliance on long‑haul shipping and increasing interest in regionalised storage and fallback delivery networks. The instability has amplified demand for modular and flexible logistics solutions that can respond quickly when traditional supply routes fail.
At the same time, global demand for bitumen remains underpinned by expanding infrastructure programmes. Market analysts suggest steady growth in the global bitumen market, driven by rising road construction and maintenance needs in emerging economies.
These shifts have compelled infrastructure planners and contractors to adopt more agile and resilient supply models, instigating changes in storage and transport strategies across the industry.
How Bitumen Storage Evolved in 2025
As supply challenges deepened, modular storage solutions gained traction in 2025. A growing number of asphalt producers and infrastructure planners prioritized flexibility, speed, and adaptability over permanent installations. According to recent market‑data, the global bitumen storage tanks market is projected to grow significantly over the next decade.
Across diverse regions, from remote roadworks in Oceania to rapid‑deployment facilities in West Africa, relocatable tank systems were deployed strategically, often as buffer storage or temporary depots to stabilise supply. This shift was driven by several factors: thermal efficiency, ease of installation, reduced footprint, and the ability to scale capacity up or down depending on demand.
In environments with seasonal traffic, fluctuating demand or uncertain supply routes, modular storage proved particularly valuable. By allowing tanks to be commissioned quickly and deployed flexibly, operators avoided the long lead times and capital commitments associated with fixed tank farms, while maintaining readiness for resurfacing or expansion projects.
Additionally, trends toward automation and digital control systems in asphalt and bitumen handling helped make modular storage more attractive. Reports on asphalt‑plant modernisation in 2025 describe growing adoption of automated systems for heating, temperature control, and material handling, enabling even temporary installations to meet operational and quality standards.
Transport Priorities
Re-Defined
While storage adapted, 2025 also marked a turning point in bitumen transport. Buyers became more selective and strategic about the container formats and transport systems they used. As regulatory pressure increased and fuel costs rose, many operators began evaluating containerised transport solutions that offered multi-modal compatibility, on‑board heating options, and reduced handling requirements.
One notable shift was the increased adoption of cold bitumen transport in conjunction with “reheat-on-discharge” systems. This approach allowed operators to avoid the complexity and risk associated with hot‑product logistics, while achieving energy savings and improving flexibility. In many cases, cold-storage transport followed by local heating helped stabilise supply chains under uncertain shipping conditions.
At the same time, demand remained high for IMDG- and ADR‑compliant tank units in regions where marine or cross-border transport is necessary. Compliance with safety regulations and international certification became a top priority, especially for shipments crossing borders or transited by sea. Tanks that met these requirements without compromising usability or cost‑efficiency were often preferred.
These shifting priorities reflect a broader trend in the industry: an increasing demand for transport solutions that balance safety, compliance, operational flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
TEC Highlights From 2025
In response to these evolving market dynamics, TEC introduced a soft-clad IMDG tank. This design improves thermal retention while reducing tare weight, a development driven by feedback from clients operating in demanding climates and regulatory-heavy corridors, a direct response to shifting transport requirements in 2025.
Regionally, TEC saw significant growth. In Oceania, modular storage systems were deployed to support surfacing contracts and seasonal infrastructure works. In West Africa, multi‑tank deployments enabled rapid facility expansion without needing fixed infrastructure or extended permitting processes. In the UK, TEC’s containerised systems supported both buffer stock and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) workflows. These deployments underscore the practical value of modular, container-based logistics in volatile markets.
In addition, the year saw growing demand for TEC’s systems outside of traditional bitumen applications. Clients managing fuels, heavy liquids like PFO, and other industrial fluids began using modular tanks for flexible, mobile storage, illustrating the broader versatility of modular container logistics for liquid handling, beyond bitumen alone.
What to Watch in 2026
Looking ahead, several themes are already shaping client discussions.
First, integrated solutions that unify transport and storage are likely to become more common. Operators are increasingly prioritising systems that can be loaded, transported, stored, and discharged with minimal handling, reducing cost, risk, and complexity.
Second, sustainability will remain a key concern. More clients are focusing not only on emissions or heating fuel consumption but also on infrastructure reuse, efficient asset deployment, and avoiding long-term overcapacity. Modular tank systems align well with these priorities.
Finally, regional readiness will matter more than ever. From asphalt plants in Oceania to fuel storage in emerging markets, demand is rising for locally adapted logistics. TEC aims to scale its modular product range and technical support services to meet these needs, delivering fast, compliant, and flexible tank systems wherever infrastructure is being built.