/zh/lp/blog/solutions/flexitank-container-guide
Flow State: How Flexitank Containers are Advancing Liquid Cargo Shipping
07/08/2025
Key Takeaways:
- Flexitanks provide a safe, flexible solution for high volume liquid cargo shipping including food-grade items, chemicals, and fuels.
- Carrying up to 24,000 litres per container, flexitanks improve shipping costs per unit of liquid helping to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
- The materials used in flexitank containers have evolved leading to improved durability, cargo protection, and simplified liquid cargo solutions.
With a capacity to carry between 10,000 to 24,000 litres of liquid cargo, flexitanks are invaluable to businesses looking at shipping beverages or other liquids internationally.
Designed to be fitted inside a standard 20DV container, flexitanks (or ‘flexibags’) are a soft plastic bag that can be filled and emptied as needed.
Once inserted into the container, the liquid to be transported is pumped into the flexitank using a dedicated pump and hose system to prevent contamination. After being filled, the tank is sealed and secured by a sturdy frame inside the container to prevent it from moving during transport. Upon arrival, the cargo can be unloaded and the container thoroughly inspected before being used again.
Not only can they transport a range of liquids, but their configurability, combined with speedy installation processes and enhanced safety, makes flexitank containers a secure and efficient option for your liquid cargo shipping process.
Once inserted into the container, the liquid to be transported is pumped into the flexitank using a dedicated pump and hose system to prevent contamination. After being filled, the tank is sealed and secured by a sturdy frame inside the container to prevent it from moving during transport. Upon arrival, the cargo can be unloaded and the container thoroughly inspected before being used again.
Not only can they transport a range of liquids, but their configurability, combined with speedy installation processes and enhanced safety, makes flexitank containers a secure and efficient option for your liquid cargo shipping process.
Did you Know?
Some flexitanks can hold a range of 1,000 to 100,000 litres depending on how they are adapted!
How Flexitank Containers Are Transforming Bulk Liquid Cargo Shipping
Because they are so versatile, flexitank containers can be used in numerous ways, including:
- Thanks to the special padding and safety pads flexitank containers are often chosen to transport liquid fuels (petrol, diesel, and oil) safely.
- Because of their configurability, in instances of emergency or disaster relief, flexitank containers can be used to store and transport drinking water.
- Food grade liquids including milk, juices, fermented or distilled beverages, and fructose syrups can also be shipped without risk of spillage or contamination.
- Similarly, their design also makes them ideal for chemical transport solutions such as washing liquids, lubricants, fertilisers, liquid latex, and paints.
Cost-effective
Alongside their adaptability, flexitanks are also a cost-effective way to transport bulk liquid cargo. Because they can transport up to 24,000 litres in a standard 20-foot container, for businesses looking to ship large volumes of liquid cargo this maximizes the amount that can be shipped while helping to reduce the cost per litre.
Environmentally Friendly
Furthermore, by optimizing space, flexitank containers can also help to lower emissions per unit of transported liquid. If your business is involved in liquid shipping on a regular basis, this can help to improve your overall supply chain carbon footprint and can help align your shipping practices with wider sustainability goals.
Waste Reduction
The design of flexitanks can help minimize waste by reducing the amount of liquid left in the bag upon delivery. This enhances the overall cost-effectiveness of liquid cargo shipping for businesses by maximizing the amount of cargo that can be shipped and safely delivered.
Cargo Protection
As they are constructed using multiple layers of reinforced polyethylene and polyester, the risk of liquid cargo leaking is reduced. When it comes to shipping oil or other chemicals, this enhanced safety offers you additional peace of mind during transportation.
Equally when shipping food grade liquids, single-use flexitanks can also help prevent cross contamination risks, which is improving the safety of your cargo and benefitting your business’s brand reputation.
Simplified Logistics
Because flexitanks can be shipped using standard 20dv freight containers, they are more accessible for shipping practices worldwide. This helps to simplify your liquid cargo shipping process and optimize your international logistics approach.
Reduced Handling
Unlike some other liquid cargo transportation methods, such as drums or totes, flexitanks can require less manual handling, reducing the likelihood of accidents across your supply chain.
The Advancement of Flexitank Shipping for Bulk Cargo Transportation
Since their inception in the Second World War, where they were used to transport diesel and fuel, flexitank containers have transformed liquid cargo shipping internationally.
In the 1960’s, flexitanks were once again employed by the military, when the US Army used the containers to store and transport water and fuel. A decade later, UK carriers began using flexitank containers as an alternative to ISO tanks to transport liquid materials outside the UK.
Their design, as well as their usage, has continued to evolve. By the 1990’s, the traditional rubber containers had been replaced by thermoplastic (PVC), and this became the prototype for modern day flexitank container design.
The Advancement of Flexitank Shipping for Bulk Cargo Transportation
Since their inception in the Second World War, where they were used to transport diesel and fuel, flexitank containers have transformed liquid cargo shipping internationally.
In the 1960’s, flexitanks were once again employed by the military, when the US Army used the containers to store and transport water and fuel. A decade later, UK carriers began using flexitank containers as an alternative to ISO tanks to transport liquid materials outside the UK.
Their design, as well as their usage, has continued to evolve. By the 1990’s, the traditional rubber containers had been replaced by thermoplastic (PVC), and this became the prototype for modern day flexitank container design.
Today’s flexitanks are built using multiple layers of thin polyethylene that can be tailored specifically to the needs of shippers and companies, helping to offer more economical, environmentally conscious, and logistically diverse liquid cargo shipping solutions.
Ask MSC
Being the experts in international shipping and logistics, at MSC we strive to offer you all the shipping solutions you may require including flexitank container shipping, designed to meet the specific needs of your cargo. Our team understands that bulk liquid cargo transportation requires care, precision, and expertise, and will work with you to offer bespoke solutions that support your overall liquid supply chain.
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Learn MoreFAQs
What is a Flexitank Container?
A flexitank container is a flexible, single-use bag made of multi-layered plastic materials inserted into a standard 20-foot shipping container, designed for the bulk transport of non-hazardous liquids.
What types of liquids can be transported using flexitanks?
Flexitanks are suitable for transporting a wide range of liquids, including:
- Food-grade liquids (juices, milk)
- Non-hazardous chemicals
- Oils (edible oil, biofuels)
- Water (especially in emergency relief efforts)
- Potable water
Are Flexibag and Flexitank the same?
While the terms ‘flexibag’ and ‘flexitank’ are often interchanged, there is a difference between the two:
A flexibag (which can be used to carry non-hazardous liquids and powders) becomes a flexitank when it is inserted into an intermodal freight container.
Are Flexitank Containers Reusable?
Most flexitanks, especially those that are food-grade or used for chemical transportation are single use to ensure safety and prevent contamination.