Shipping bulk liquids usually brings to mind massive steel tankers. But in modern logistics, one of the most popular ways to move wine, oils, and juices is actually inside a standard 20ft dry container.
Listed in your booking system as "20 Flexi Tank Container," this option transforms a regular shipping box into a bulk liquid carrier. At TraceContainer.com, we see a growing volume of liquid exports moving via Flexi Tanks due to their cost-efficiency.
Here is everything you need to know about using Flexi Tanks for your supply chain.
A cutaway view or "X-ray" style view of a 20ft Shipping Container.
A "Flexi Tank" is not a specific type of steel container construction. Instead, it is a standard 20ft General Purpose (GP) Container that has been fitted with a Flexibag.
The Flexibag: A massive, multi-layered bladder made of polyethylene (plastic).
The Process: The empty bag is laid out inside a standard 20ft container. It is connected to a hose, filled with liquid (expanding to fill the container), and then the container doors are closed.
The Result: You have effectively turned a dry van into a liquid shipping unit.
Crucial Rule: Flexi Tanks are for Non-Hazardous liquids only. You cannot ship explosives, flammables, or corrosive chemicals in them.
Common Approved Cargo:
Food Grade: Wine, flat beer, fruit juices, edible oils (sunflower, olive, palm), sorbitol, water, molasses.
Industrial (Non-Haz): Lube oils, base oils, latex, glycerin, detergents, water-based paints.
If ISO Tanks (steel tanks) exist, why use a plastic bag in a box? The answer is money and availability.
One-Way Trip: Flexibags are disposable. Once the liquid is unloaded, the bag is recycled. You do not need to pay to ship the empty container back to the origin.
No Cleaning Costs: ISO tanks require expensive chemical cleaning after every trip to avoid cross-contamination. Flexi bags are brand new every time—100% sterile.
Availability: It is much easier to find a standard 20ft container than a specialized ISO Tank.
Since a Flexi Tank sits inside a 20ft container, the external dimensions are the same as a standard 20ft box.
Volume: A Flexibag typically holds between 16,000 to 24,000 Liters.
Payload Weight: Usually capped at 24,000 kg (depending on road weight limits at destination).
Efficiency: A Flexi Tank holds 40% more liquid than shipping the same product in drums inside a container.
When booking a "20 Flexi Tank Container" in your system, the shipping line will select a container specifically inspected for this purpose.
Side Walls: The container must be less than 5 years old with strong side walls, as the liquid pushes outward and can bulge older containers.
Door Protection: A "bulkhead" (steel bars or thick wood) is installed at the rear doors to stop the bag from pressing against the door handle mechanism.
Liquid logistics requires precision. A delay in a hot port can spoil sensitive cargoes like wine or latex. Monitor your Flexi Tank shipment location in real-time with TraceContainer.com.