Case Study | Chemical Express

​How Italy’s leading tank container operator gained full fleet visibility with IMT telematics

Chemical Express manages 3,750 tank containers across Europe, transporting temperature-sensitive chemicals by road, rail, and sea. Before IMT, they estimated fleet positions based on transport orders and manual updates. Today, they know exactly where every tank is, what temperature the cargo is at, and whether heating is actually needed. The result: better planning, fewer surprises, and operational control that reaches from Naples to the North Sea.

The challenge of invisible assets

Chemical Express is an Italian company specializing in bulk liquid chemical transport. They operate across Europe, moving hazardous and non-hazardous products via multiple transport modes. Their fleet includes ISO tanks, swap bodies, and multi-compartment tanks.

Before implementing telematics, the company used fleet management software combined with geographical zoning. By assigning tanks to transport orders and dividing operations by country and region, they could estimate how many containers were in a given area.

The word “estimate” is key here. Francesco Mattozzi, Account Manager at Chemical Express, explains: “The main challenge occurred when tanks that were expected to be in a certain area were actually not there, due to human error, delayed updates, or simple oversight. This created inefficiencies in fleet planning, increased repositioning costs, and occasionally reduced our responsiveness to customer requests.”

For a company managing nearly 4,000 containers, even small inaccuracies multiply quickly. A tank assumed to be available in Rotterdam might actually be in Antwerp. A container expected at a depot could still be in transit. Each discrepancy means phone calls, delays, and sometimes empty kilometers.

Finding the right solution

The decision to adopt telematics came not from a single incident, but from a strategic realization. As Mattozzi puts it: “When technological progress made satellite tracking equipment more reliable and economically accessible, we understood that it was the right time to move toward a more accurate and automated solution.”

Mattozzi was the one who brought IMT to the company’s attention. “I read an article about IMT in a specialized bulk logistics magazine and found the solution very interesting. I then suggested to our technical department that we should get in touch with IMT to explore the opportunity further.”

Chemical Express evaluated multiple providers, comparing technical features, reliability, scalability, and service support. The deciding factors were the completeness of the service package and IMT’s professional approach. “Beyond the technology itself, we appreciated the consultancy approach, flexibility, and the ability to adapt the solution to our specific operational needs. That gave us confidence that IMT was the right long-term partner.”

What Chemical Express uses today

The company now uses three core capabilities: real-time geolocation, cargo temperature monitoring, and sensors on tank heating systems. These features provide full visibility over positioning and product conditions throughout the entire transport chain.

Temperature monitoring serves a specific purpose. Chemical Express transports many temperature-sensitive products where maintaining correct conditions is essential for product quality and customer specifications. But it goes further than simply tracking cargo temperature.

“Monitoring the loading temperature is particularly important,” Mattozzi explains, “as it sometimes differs from what was expected or agreed upon. Thanks to the IMT system, we can provide objective evidence of the actual loading temperature and justify any heating operations carried out during transport. This increases transparency and helps prevent disputes with customers.”

The heating sensor adds another layer of control. External heating at terminals and depots represents a significant cost. With real-time data on when heating is activated, for how long, and at which temperature levels, Chemical Express can verify invoices and make informed decisions about whether heating is actually required before the next loading or delivery.

“In some cases, this avoids unnecessary heating operations, saving time and preventing empty repositioning kilometers,” Mattozzi notes.

Chemical Express also uses custom reports built specifically for their operations. These depot reports provide clear overviews of tank positions, status, and rotation within specific locations. “They allow us to better analyze fleet utilization, improve container turnover, and optimize repositioning strategies. In practice, these reports support both operational decision-making and cost control.”

Finally, an API integration connects IMT geolocation data with the company’s truck GPS system. This allows them to see the position of both tanks and trucks on the same interface. “Having a unified view significantly improves operational coordination, reduces response time, and enhances overall visibility across our fleet.”

From logistics to sales: who works with the platform

The IMT platform is used daily across multiple departments at Chemical Express. Each team accesses the information relevant to their activities.

Logistics planners use it for fleet planning and optimization. The technical department monitors heating systems and maintenance aspects. Administration uses data for reporting and verification. Customer service benefits from real-time information when communicating with customers. And sales has access to accurate fleet data when discussing capabilities with prospects.

This cross-departmental adoption points to a broader shift: telematics is no longer just an operations tool. It connects departments and supports both operational and strategic decision-making.

When monitoring prevents damage

Beyond efficiency gains, the system has proven its value in risk prevention. Mattozzi shares a concrete example:

“On one occasion, thanks to IMT monitoring, we noticed that a heating station was using steam heating instead of hot water due to an operational error. Because we had real-time visibility of the temperature data, we were able to immediately alert the facility and stop the incorrect heating process. This prevented potential damage to the product and avoided possible customer claims or even significant financial losses.”

This example illustrates how continuous monitoring moves beyond passive tracking toward active risk prevention. The data does not just tell you where your assets are. It tells you when something is wrong in time to intervene.

Implementation: faster than expected

For many fleet operators, the concern about implementing new technology centers on disruption. How long will it take? How complex is the integration? Will teams actually use it?

Chemical Express found the process smoother than anticipated. “IMT provided clear guidance, customized support, and training, which made adoption easy for all departments involved,” Mattozzi reports. “We were fully operational within a few weeks. The combination of a user-friendly platform and dedicated support allowed a fast rollout across the fleet and teams.”

Beyond technology: the partnership

When asked to describe the collaboration with IMT in three words, Mattozzi chooses: “Reliable, professional, and supportive.”

“The collaboration is highly professional and cooperative,” he explains. “IMT is proactive in understanding our needs, flexible in customization, and always responsive to requests or questions. The partnership goes beyond technology; it is about operational support and continuous improvement.”

The biggest gain

When asked to name the single biggest gain from IMT telematics, Mattozzi’s answer is clear: “Full operational visibility. Having precise, real-time information about location and temperature allows us to make proactive decisions, reduce risks, and improve service reliability.”

For companies considering telematics, he offers this advice: “Invest in telematics early and choose a partner who offers not just technology but also professional support and customization. Real-time data and transparency can transform operations, improve customer trust, and reduce risks.”

And his final assessment of IMT’s role in their operations? “IMT has become an essential tool for us, connecting departments, improving decision-making, and supporting both operational and strategic goals. For companies managing large fleets or temperature-sensitive cargo, it is truly a game-changer.”

Want to see what visibility looks like for your fleet?

Share your fleet size and cargo types with Bernard. We will show you how real-time tracking, temperature monitoring, and custom reporting can work for your operations.

Bernard Heylen is Sales Director at Intermodal Telematics, where he helps transport operators in chemical logistics gain operational visibility through telematics.