In 2008, HMK Bilcon delivered multiple CSC Fuel Tank Containers to the Norwegian Defence Procurement Division, followed by an additional order the year after. The containers were designed for refuelling trucks and combat vehicles, establishing a containerised, deployable fuel capability aligned with NATO requirements.
In the late 2000s, the Norwegian Defence (much like other NATO forces) faced a change in how fuel needed to be handled during operations.
New NATO requirements meant that fuel systems had to be containerised, interoperable, and ready to deploy across borders, land, and sea at short notice. Fuel could no longer be tied to specific vehicles or fixed infrastructure. It had to move with the mission.
At the time, this created a gap. There were no national suppliers able to deliver a complete container-based fuel solution, and existing providers could not offer a fully integrated system that met both operational and NATO requirements.
Going beyond the tender
The requirement was defined through a formal tender process based on input from end users and procurement teams. The solution had to meet strict technical specifications, comply with NATO standards, and deliver at a competitive price.
HMK Bilcon secured the contract by meeting those requirements, but the real value came in how the CSC Fuel Tank Container was developed from that starting point.
Built from the footprint of a standard 20 foot ISO container structure, each unit combined a tank, pumping system, power supply, and equipment storage into one integrated solution. They could operate independently in the field, from the ground, directly mounted on the truck chassis, or be connected to base infrastructure. The units could also be handled using standard logistics methods such as a truck mounted hook lift system, or by crane or forklift.
Flexibility was central to the design. The system could support refuelling across multiple applications, including trucks, combat vehicles, and by a replaceable fuel skit for refuelling helicopters, and could be adapted as operational needs evolved. In a Norwegian context, reliability in extreme conditions was essential, and the system was designed to operate down to -40°C.
At the same time, the focus was on going beyond the minimum requirements set out in the tender. Rather than simply meeting the specified fuel capacity, the design maximised fuel volume within the allowed weight limits.
This has a direct operational impact. More fuel per unit reduces the number of containers required. Fewer containers reduce the number of vehicles and personnel needed to move them. The result is a more efficient system with a smaller operational footprint.
Built in collaboration
The development process played an important role in shaping the final solution.
HMK Bilcon worked closely with the customer throughout, involving not only procurement teams but also end users. This ensured the system reflected how it would actually be used in the field.
It allowed adjustments during prototyping and refinement before full production, resulting in a closer alignment between requirement and real-world use.
Proven over time and still relevant today
The initial delivery included multiple units, followed by an additional order the following year.
Today, those systems have been in operation for more than 15 years. Over that time, they have continued to perform in demanding conditions and have remained relevant as operational needs have evolved.
That longevity reflects not only build quality, but the thinking behind the solution. From the beginning, the focus was on mobility, interoperability, and efficiency. These are the same principles that define modern operations today.
This case shows that the real value lies not only in meeting requirements, but in understanding how those requirements translate into operational advantage.
To know more or to learn how HMK Bilcon can support your operational needs with integrated fuel distribution solutions, contact: Torben Bæk Ravnholt, CSO, Oil/Gas & Defence, at sales@hmkbilcon.dk