A cylindrical pressure vessel mounted inside a standard ISO frame — the only container type designed to carry bulk liquids, gases, and hazardous chemicals safely across oceans, rail, and road.
An ISO tank container — often just called a "tank con" or "T-tank" — is a cylindrical vessel enclosed within a rectangular ISO-standard steel frame. It fits exactly the same slots as a standard 20ft dry container on vessels, rail cars, and trucks, making intermodal transport seamless.
The cylindrical design is structurally optimal for containing internal pressure. Tank containers are built to UN/ISO standards; the specific T-code stamped on the plate determines what products can legally be carried, at what maximum pressure, and what minimum test pressure the vessel has passed.
| Specification | Typical ISO Tank Container |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 6.058 m (20ft ISO frame) |
| Overall Width | 2.438 m |
| Overall Height | 2.591 m (standard) / 2.896 m (high) |
| Tank Capacity | 14,000 – 26,000 litres |
| Most Common Capacity | 20,000 – 24,000 litres |
| Shell Material | Stainless steel 316L (food/chem) / Carbon steel + lining |
| Insulation | 50–100 mm polyurethane (heated/insulated variants) |
| Tare Weight | 3,200 – 3,700 kg (varies by type) |
| Max Gross Weight | 36,000 kg (max payload ~26,000 – 32,000 kg) |
| Max Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) | 65 kPa – 4,000 kPa (varies by T-code) |
| ISO Type Code | T0 – T22, T50 (pressurised gas) |
The T-code defines the maximum allowable working pressure and the minimum test pressure. Higher T-numbers generally indicate higher pressure requirements, suitable for more hazardous or volatile products.
Low-hazard liquids, vegetable oils, mild chemicals, max pressure 65–150 kPa
Food-grade liquids, edible oils, wine, fruit juices, non-hazardous chemicals
Moderate hazard chemicals — acids, alcohols, resins, flammable liquids
High-hazard chemicals — toxic substances, Class 6.1 DG products
Cryogenic liquids (LIN, LOX, LAr, LNG) at very low temperatures (−196 °C)
Pressurised gases — LPG, anhydrous ammonia, chlorine. High pressure (up to 2,200 kPa)
Acids, caustic soda, solvents, adhesives, cleaning agents
Palm oil, sunflower oil, glucose syrup, fruit juice concentrates
Wine, spirits, beer (bulk), drinking water, non-carbonated beverages
Sterile liquids, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients
Liquefied petroleum gas, propane, butane, anhydrous ammonia (T50)
Liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid argon, LNG (T20/T22)
| Feature | ISO Tank Container | Flexitank | IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 14,000 – 26,000 L | 14,000 – 24,000 L | 1,000 – 1,250 L |
| Hazardous Cargo | Yes (DG approved) | Non-hazardous only | Limited classes |
| Return Potential | Multi-use (cleaned & re-leased) | Single use | Multi-use |
| Pressure Rating | 65 kPa – 4,000 kPa | Atmospheric only | Atmospheric only |
| Typical Use | Chemicals, food, gas, pharma | Edible oils, wine, juice | Small volumes, road/warehouse |
Unlike dry containers (which are often owned directly by shipping lines), most ISO tank containers are owned or managed by specialist tank operators who lease them to shippers. Major operators include:
Between cargoes, ISO tanks must be cleaned and certified as clean. Most ports have dedicated tank cleaning depots. The previous product, cleaning method, and certification all affect which next cargo is approved. Food-grade tanks have the strictest cleaning protocols and often cannot be reused for chemicals without a full passivation treatment.
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