Maritime transport of bulk olive oil: modes, packaging and

Q: How is bulk olive oil transported by sea?

Direct answer: bulk olive oil travels by sea container from Tunisia (Radès, Sfax), in a flexitank, IBCs or drums, generally FCL (dedicated full container). First convert the volume into weight with the density 0.913 kg/L , check that the gross weight stays under the container's payload, then add freight, insurance and port charges to obta

Q: How is bulk olive oil shipped by sea?

By sea container from Radès or Sfax, in a flexitank (~22,000 L, 1 per 20'), 1,000 L IBCs (×20 per 20') or ~200 L drums (×40 per 20'), generally FCL (full container). The volume is converted into weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, then freight, insurance and port charges are added.

Q: What is the difference between FCL and LCL for olive oil?

FCL (Full Container Load) reserves an entire container for your goods: it is the bulk norm and mandatory for a flexitank. LCL (groupage) shares a container among several shippers: to be avoided for a liquid food, since the repeated handling increases the risk of leakage and contamination.

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

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

Q: What is the density of olive oil?

About 0.913 kg/L : 1 litre weighs ≈ 0.913 kg (oil is lighter than water). This value serves to convert a price €/kg ↔ €/L , to estimate the net weight of a flexitank/IBC/drum and to check that you do not exceed the container's payload .

Q: At what temperature should olive oil be transported?

Ideally 15–18 °C , stable (to be confirmed per the buyer's specifications) . Below about 5–7 °C, the oil solidifies and turns cloudy — a reversible phenomenon on warming but sometimes worrying on receipt. Above, heat accelerates oxidation. A standard container is often enough; a reefer is justified on very hot, long or freezing-exposed ro

Q: Flexitank, IBC or drum: which to choose?

The flexitank (~22,000 L) for a large homogeneous lot (the lowest cost/tonne); the 1,000 L IBC when you need to split or allow a tank return; the ~200 L drum for small quantities and first orders. The choice depends on the volume and the receiving logistics.

Q: Can olive oil be shipped in a 40'?

Yes for IBCs and drums (more units depending on the palletisation and the admissible gross weight). The flexitank is in principle fitted in a standard 20' . The packing calculator handles both sizes and converts litres ↔ kg by format.

In brief

Bulk Tunisian olive oil is exported by sea container from Radès or Sfax, in one of three types of packaging: the flexitank (~22,000 L per 20' container, the lowest cost per tonne), the 1,000 L IBC (×20 per 20', divisible) or the ~200 L drum (×40 per 20', for small quantities). It ships FCL (full container, the bulk norm) or LCL (groupage, rare and discouraged for liquids). The reference density is 0.913 kg/L: it converts litres and kilos and serves to check the payload. Olive oil requires no cold chain, but a stable and moderate temperature (ideally 15–18 °C, protected from freezing and excessive heat) to preserve its qualities. Benchmarks.

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How is bulk olive oil transported by sea?

Direct answer: bulk olive oil travels by sea container from Tunisia (Radès, Sfax), in a flexitank, IBCs or drums, generally FCL (dedicated full container). First convert the volume into weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, check that the gross weight stays under the container's payload, then add freight, insurance and port charges to obtain the landed cost.

Transport is never isolated: it is planned together with the incoterm (which organises and pays for the main carriage), the ports of departure and destination, and the documentary file that must accompany the goods. The acronyms (FCL, LCL, B/L, IBC, flexitank…) are defined in the glossary.

Maritime modes: FCL vs LCL

Liquid food bulk almost always ships in a full container. Here is the fundamental distinction.

Mode	What it is	Relevance for bulk oil
FCL (Full Container Load)	You book an entire container dedicated to your goods	The norm for bulk: essential for a flexitank, recommended for IBCs and drums
LCL (Less than Container Load)	Groupage: your goods share a container with other shippers	Rare and risky for a liquid: multiple handling, risk of leakage/contamination, best avoided
Tank container (ISO tank)	Stainless steel tank for very large recurring volumes	For regular industrial flows, outside the scope of a first shipment

Key point: a flexitank requires FCL (it takes up the whole container). For a small volume of drums, LCL is theoretically possible but discouraged — the repeated handling of a groupage increases the risk of damage to a liquid food. On small quantities, it is better to consolidate into FCL or defer.

Bulk packaging: flexitank, IBC, drum

The format directly determines the cost per tonne and the receiving logistics. Indicative benchmarks in a standard 20' container, to be confirmed with the freight forwarder.

Format	Capacity	Per 20' container	Net oil weight (≈ ×0.913)	Ideal for
Flexitank	~22,000 L	1 per 20'	≈ 20,086 kg	Large single-client lot, minimal cost/tonne
IBC (IBC/tote)	1,000 L	×20 = 20,000 L	≈ 18,260 kg	Medium volumes, multi-client, splitting
Drum	~200–216 L	×40 ≈ 8,000–8,640 L	≈ 7,304–7,888 kg	Small quantities, samples, first orders

Flexitank (~22,000 L): single-use flexible bladder placed in a dedicated 20', without pallets. Lowest cost per tonne, but no splitting and fitting by an approved operator mandatory (a fitting defect is the leading cause of leakage in transit).
1,000 L IBC: rigid, palletised and stackable tank, allowing splitting per tank and possible deposit return. Intermediate cost.
~200 L drum: robust, palletisable, but the highest cost per tonne and many units to handle. Reserve for small quantities and commercial samples.

Format detail on the export formats sheet and exact calculation with the packing calculator.

The density 0.913: converting litres and kilos

1 litre of olive oil ≈ 0.913 kg (oil is lighter than water). This value is the key to all costing:

convert a price €/kg ↔ €/L in a quotation;
estimate the net weight of a flexitank, an IBC or a drum;
check that you do not exceed the container's payload.

Critical point: a container can be full by volume but overweight. A 22,000 L flexitank weighs ≈ 20,086 kg of net oil, to which the weight of the packaging and pallets is added to obtain the gross weight. You must always quote and load at verified net weight, never at theoretical volume.

Seller / exporter's side: check the payload before confirming a load. A container announced "full in litres" may be refused at loading for overweight.

Temperature and "cold chain": what you really need to know

Olive oil is not a fresh product: it does not require a refrigerated cold chain. However, it is sensitive to heat, light and thermal variation, which accelerate oxidation and the degradation of organoleptic qualities.

Ideal storage and transport temperature: moderate and stable, on the order of 15–18 °C (to be confirmed per the buyer's specifications).
To avoid: prolonged exposure to heat in the hold or on an exposed terminal, and above all freezing. Below about 5–7 °C, the oil partially solidifies and turns cloudy (crystals), a reversible phenomenon on warming but one that can worry the receiver.
Standard vs reefer container: for most destinations, a standard container is fine if the transit is reasonable. For very hot, very long routes or those passing through freezing zones, a demanding buyer may request a reefer container (controlled temperature) — an extra cost to factor into the quotation.
Protective packaging: the flexitank and the opaque IBCs/drums naturally protect from light. The container's thermal stability matters more than the cold.

A point of vocabulary: speaking of a "cold chain" for olive oil is inaccurate. We speak rather of temperature control and protection against heat, light and freezing.

Panel: buyer's side / seller's side

The same container is not prepared the same way depending on your role.

Angle	What transport changes for you	Reflex
Buyer (importer)	The format and mode condition your landed cost and your receiving	Ask for a price by format (flexitank/IBC/drum); check that your warehouse handles these containers
Seller (exporter making the sale)	The format, mode and incoterm structure your margin	Quote at net weight (density 0.913); favour FCL; secure the gross weight before quoting
Exporter (Tunisia operations)	The flexitank fitting, the container type and the port set lead times and charges	Book early; flexitank fitting by an approved operator; anticipate the transit temperature

Shared golden rule: validate format, mode (FCL), net weight and temperature before the quotation. A filling error or a temperature incident wipes out the margin or causes a dispute on arrival.

Mistakes to avoid in maritime transport

Shipping a liquid food LCL without reason: multiple handling, risk of leakage and contamination.
Confusing volume and weight: a container "full in litres" may be overweight (density 0.913).
Under-filling a flexitank: it is only worthwhile nearly full (minimal cost/tonne).
Poorly fitted flexitank: fitting must be done by an approved operator, on pain of leakage in transit.
Ignoring temperature: exposure to heat or freezing that alters the oil or turns it cloudy on receipt.
Quoting without checking the packing: leading cause of margin error on bulk.

FAQ — Maritime transport of bulk olive oil

How is bulk olive oil shipped by sea?

By sea container from Radès or Sfax, in a flexitank (~22,000 L, 1 per 20'), 1,000 L IBCs (×20 per 20') or ~200 L drums (×40 per 20'), generally FCL (full container). The volume is converted into weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, then freight, insurance and port charges are added.

What is the difference between FCL and LCL for olive oil?

FCL (Full Container Load) reserves an entire container for your goods: it is the bulk norm and mandatory for a flexitank. LCL (groupage) shares a container among several shippers: to be avoided for a liquid food, since the repeated handling increases the risk of leakage and contamination.

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

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

What is the density of olive oil?

About 0.913 kg/L: 1 litre weighs ≈ 0.913 kg (oil is lighter than water). This value serves to convert a price €/kg ↔ €/L, to estimate the net weight of a flexitank/IBC/drum and to check that you do not exceed the container's payload.

Does olive oil need a cold chain?

No. Olive oil is not a fresh product and does not require refrigerated transport. It requires a moderate and stable temperature, protected from excessive heat, light and freezing. We speak of temperature control, not a cold chain.

At what temperature should olive oil be transported?

Ideally 15–18 °C, stable (to be confirmed per the buyer's specifications). Below about 5–7 °C, the oil solidifies and turns cloudy — a reversible phenomenon on warming but sometimes worrying on receipt. Above, heat accelerates oxidation. A standard container is often enough; a reefer is justified on very hot, long or freezing-exposed routes.

Flexitank, IBC or drum: which to choose?

The flexitank (~22,000 L) for a large homogeneous lot (the lowest cost/tonne); the 1,000 L IBC when you need to split or allow a tank return; the ~200 L drum for small quantities and first orders. The choice depends on the volume and the receiving logistics.

Does a flexitank fit in a standard container?

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

Can olive oil be shipped in a 40'?

Yes for IBCs and drums (more units depending on the palletisation and the admissible gross weight). The flexitank is in principle fitted in a standard 20'. The packing calculator handles both sizes and converts litres ↔ kg by format.

Is olive oil that turns cloudy during transport damaged?

Not necessarily. Under the effect of cold (below about 5–7 °C), olive oil partially solidifies and turns cloudy through crystal formation — this is a physical and reversible phenomenon: the oil becomes clear again on returning to room temperature. It does not mean a degradation of quality, but it is best anticipated to avoid concern on receipt.

Do you need a reefer container for olive oil?

Not in most cases: a standard container is fine if the transit is reasonable and without extreme exposure. A reefer (controlled temperature) is justified on very hot, very long routes, or ones crossing freezing zones, and represents an extra cost to factor into the quotation.

How to estimate the total cost of maritime transport?

Add up the packaging, the port and pre-carriage charges (up to FOB), the ocean freight, insurance (from CIF onward) and destination charges (duties, VAT, clearance). The export cost calculator prices the landed cost incoterm by incoterm.

Ship without unpleasant surprises

You know how to choose the right mode (FCL), the right packaging (flexitank/IBC/drum), convert your litres into kilos and control the temperature. Next step: ports and transit.

Ports & transit » · Export documents » · Markets by country » · Incoterms »

Packing calculator » then export cost calculator ».

Request a free quote — dated quotation by format (flexitank/IBC/drum), by mode and by incoterm, for your port of destination. Drawer pre-filled "Maritime transport".

July 2026 data, indicative and to be re-verified before any commitment. Sources: container shipping logistics practices (FCL/LCL), olive oil density ≈ 0.913 kg/L, storage/transport recommendations (temperature), Incoterms 2020, ports of Radès/Sfax (Tunisia).