Flexi Tank Container Guide: How to Ship Bulk Liquids in a 20ft Box

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.

What is a Flexi Tank 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.

What Can You Ship in a Flexi Tank?

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.

Flexi Tank vs. ISO Tank: Why Choose Flexi?

If ISO Tanks (steel tanks) exist, why use a plastic bag in a box? The answer is money and availability.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Availability: It is much easier to find a standard 20ft container than a specialized ISO Tank.

Capacity & Dimensions

Since a Flexi Tank sits inside a 20ft container, the external dimensions are the same as a standard 20ft box.

1. Volume: A Flexibag typically holds between 16,000 to 24,000 Liters.

2. Payload Weight: Usually capped at 24,000 kg (depending on road weight limits at destination).

3. Efficiency: A Flexi Tank holds 40% more liquid than shipping the same product in drums inside a container.

Important Precautions

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.

Track Your Liquid Shipment

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.

> Track My Flexi Tank