Sea Transport of Bulk Olive Oil: The Guide

In brief. Bulk olive oil is shipped by sea container in one of three packagings: a flexitank (~22,000 L, 1 per 20', lowest cost per tonne), IBCs of 1,000 L (×20 per 20', splittable) or drums of 200-216 L (×40 per 20', for small quantities). Litres are always converted to weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, the container's payload is checked, the incoterm is set (FOB Radès, CIF your port…) and the goods are insured. The port of departure is generally Radès or Sfax. Delivered cost = packaging + port charges + freight + insurance + destination charges.

Olive oil is a liquid commodity, sensitive to heat, light and oxidation. Transporting it in bulk by sea is not just "filling a container": it means choosing between three packagings, respecting the weight, choosing the right incoterm and securing the document file to avoid immobilisation charges. Here is how to proceed, step by step.

How to transport bulk olive oil by sea?

Short answer: bulk olive oil travels in a sea container, packaged in a flexitank (~22,000 L for a 20'), in 1,000 L IBCs (20 per 20') or in 200-216 L drums (40 per 20'). Volume is converted to weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, you check not to exceed the payload, then you add freight, insurance and port charges to obtain the delivered cost.

The choice of packaging, the packing calculation and the mastery of the file form one and the same subject: getting them wrong means erasing your margin or immobilising a container at the port. The logistics acronyms (B/L, IBC, incoterm, demurrage…) are defined in the glossary.

Flexitank, IBC or drum: the comparison table

Indicative benchmarks for bulk olive oil departing from Tunisia, in a standard 20' container. To be confirmed according to the forwarder and the palletisation.

Criterion	Flexitank	IBC (1,000 L)	Drum (200-216 L)
Usable capacity / 20'	~22,000 L	20 × 1,000 L = 20,000 L	40 × 200-216 L ≈ 8,000-8,640 L
Net oil weight (≈ ×0.913)	≈ 20,086 kg	≈ 18,260 kg	≈ 7,304-7,888 kg
Cost / tonne	Lowest	Intermediate	Highest
Splitting	No (single lot)	Yes (per tank)	Yes (per drum)
Reusable	No (single use)	Yes	Yes
Typical MOQ	1 flexitank	2 IBC	10 drums
Ideal for	Large single-lot volume	Medium volumes, multi-customer	Small quantities, samples

Data July 2026, to be confirmed with your forwarder. Calculate your exact load with the packing calculator.

Key takeaway: the flexitank wins as soon as the lot is homogeneous and voluminous (minimal cost/tonne, no palletisation). The IBC is required when you need to split or allow a tank return. The drum remains the solution for first evaluation orders and small quantities.

Converting litres and kilos: the 0.913 density

Direct answer: 1 litre of olive oil weighs about 0.913 kg (oil is lighter than water). A 22,000 L flexitank therefore weighs ≈ 20,086 kg of net oil. This value serves to convert a price €/kg ↔ €/L, to estimate the net weight of a load and to check not to exceed the container's payload.

This is trap #1 of bulk: a container "full in litres" can be overloaded in kilos. A 20' filled with IBCs or drums is often limited by the gross weight (oil + packaging + pallets) before it is by volume. Always check the admissible payload before quoting — details in the sea transport guide.

Choosing the port and the incoterm

Two ports concentrate most Tunisian olive oil shipments:

• Radès (greater Tunis): the country's main container port, reference for FOB Radès quotations, serves the majority of lines to Europe, the Gulf and beyond.
• Sfax: close to the Southern olive basin (Chemlali zone), useful to reduce inland pre-carriage.

The choice is made according to the available shipping line, the proximity of the milling zone and the cost of inland transport. Compare the two options and their connections in the ports and transit guide.

The incoterm, for its part, sets who organises and pays the main transport:

Incoterm	The seller goes as far as	Freight / insurance
FOB (Radès)	Goods loaded at the port	Borne by the buyer
CFR	Freight up to the arrival port	Seller freight, buyer insurance
CIF	Freight + insurance up to the port	Seller (insurance often at minimum)

Reflex: always indicate the precise port in the offer ("FOB Radès", not just "FOB") and the Incoterms® version (2020). An implicit port is a source of dispute and re-quotation. See the incoterms guide.

Insuring and securing the shipment

Transport insurance covers the goods during the journey (damage, loss, wetting, theft). Who takes it out depends on the incoterm: in FOB/CFR/EXW, it is the buyer (optional but strongly recommended); in CIF/CIP, the seller includes it in their price.

• Usual coverage: 110% of the CIF value.
• Indicative cost: 0.2 to 0.6% of the insured value.

Finally, complete the document file before loading: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), EUR.1 for the 0% within the EU quota, COA per lot, phytosanitary certificate. A missing document blocks customs clearance on arrival and triggers demurrage charged per day.

The classic mistake

Quoting a container without checking the packing. This is the leading cause of margin error on bulk: you announce a "full" volume, but discover at loading an overweight (rejection) or an under-filled flexitank (degraded cost/tonne). Another frequent trap: neglecting insurance in FOB, when the goods travel at the buyer's risk as soon as they are loaded.

FAQ

Which packaging to choose for bulk olive oil?

The flexitank (~22,000 L, 1 per 20') for a large homogeneous lot, with the lowest cost per tonne. The 1,000 L IBC (×20 per 20') when you need to split or allow a tank return. The 200-216 L drum (×40 per 20') for small quantities and first orders. The choice depends on the volume and your receiving logistics.

How many litres of oil fit in a 20' container?

About 22,000 L in a flexitank, 20,000 L in IBCs (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Convert to weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, or use the packing calculator for an exact calculation according to your configuration.

From which port does Tunisian olive oil depart?

Mainly Radès (greater Tunis, leading container port, reference for FOB Radès quotations) and Sfax (close to the Southern olive basin). The choice depends on the available shipping line and the cost of inland transport. See the ports and transit guide.

Should olive oil transport be insured?

Yes, it is strongly recommended. In CIF/CIP, the seller includes the insurance. In FOB/CFR/EXW, the goods travel at the buyer's risk, who must take out their own policy.

Does a flexitank fit in a standard container?

Yes: a flexitank of ~22,000 L is in principle installed in a dedicated standard 20' container, without pallets. Its installation must be carried out by an approved operator — a fitting defect is the main cause of leakage in transit. The flexitank is single-use.

How to estimate the total sea transport cost?

Add up the packaging, the port and inland charges (up to FOB), the sea freight, the insurance (from CIF) and the destination charges (duties, VAT, customs clearance). Also anticipate possible demurrage. The sea transport guide details each item.

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Preparing a bulk olive oil shipment? Request a free quote: dated quotation per format (flexitank / IBC / drum) and per incoterm, for your destination port. First calculate your load with the packing calculator, then go deeper with the sea transport guide and the ports and transit guide.

Data July 2026, indicative and to be re-checked before any commitment. Sources: sea container logistics practices, olive oil density ≈ 0.913 kg/L, Incoterms 2020, Radès/Sfax ports (Tunisia).