Flexitank: Revolutionizing the Global Sea Transport of Edible Oil

In today's globalized trade, how to safely and cost-effectively transport edible oil from production regions to destinations worldwide is a key focus for the fats and oils industry. Traditional methods using steel drums or dedicated tank containers (ISO TANK) involve high costs and numerous limitations. In contrast, the flexitank—an innovative flexible liquid packaging solution—is becoming the preferred choice for shipping edible oil by sea due to its outstanding advantages.

I. What is a Flexitank? Why Choose It?

A flexitank is a large, sterile bag made from multi-layer, co-extruded polymer materials, with a capacity typically ranging from 16,000 to 24,000 liters. It is placed inside a standard 20-foot general-purpose container, forming a temporary "mobile storage tank."

The core advantages of using flexitanks for edible oil transportation include:

Significant Cost Reduction:

Packaging Costs: Flexitanks are single-use, eliminating the costs associated with recycling and cleaning steel drums, as well as the high rental and repositioning fees for ISO TANKs.

Transportation Costs: A single flexitank load in a container is equivalent to approximately 180 steel drums, significantly increasing the shipment volume per trip and reducing the unit shipping cost.

Maximized Loading Efficiency:

Flexitanks fully conform to the internal space of the container, enabling "full-container-load" transportation. The loading efficiency is about 30% higher compared to break-bulk or drum shipments.

Ensured Oil Quality:

High-quality flexitanks feature an inner layer made of food-grade polyethylene (PE), which is non-toxic, odorless, and oil-resistant. Their single-use nature completely eliminates the risk of cross-contamination between different batches of goods. The fully enclosed transportation process effectively isolates the oil from oxygen and moisture in the air, preventing oxidation and rancidity.

II. Key Practical Considerations for Flexitank Oil Transportation

To successfully use flexitanks, the following key aspects must be strictly controlled:

Flexitank Selection: Models specifically designed for edible oil must be selected to ensure material compatibility and safety, along with relevant food-grade certifications.

Professional Operation: Before loading, the container must be thoroughly inspected to ensure smooth inner walls free of sharp objects. The placement, filling, and emptying of the flexitank must be performed by trained professionals using specialized pump and pipeline systems.

Full Process Monitoring: Proper valve design and operation are essential to ensure smooth loading and unloading with minimal residue.

Conclusion

With its cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and exceptional quality preservation capabilities, flexitank technology has become a cornerstone logistics solution in the modern international trade of edible oil. It represents not only an optimization of costs but also a significant upgrade in supply chain efficiency and food safety assurance.