Flow State: How Flexitank Containers are Advancing Liquid Cargo Shipping

/zh/lp/blog/solutions/flexitank-container-guide

Flow State: How Flexitank Containers are Advancing Liquid Cargo Shipping

07/08/2025

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.

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.

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.

Our Solutions

Shipping Solutions

Learn More

Digital Business Solutions

Learn More

Inland Transportation & Logistics Solutions

Learn More
MEDLOG Argentina

Warehousing & Storage Solutions

Learn More