What Are Tank Containers Used For?

Tank containers are a cornerstone in modern industry and logistics. They offer a flexible and safe solution for transporting and storing a wide range of bulk liquids, gases, and powders. 

These containers are often used to move raw materials such as industrial chemicals, lubricants, and solvents between production sites or from suppliers to factories. Their robust construction and standardized dimensions make them easy to integrate into supply chains ‒ a major plus for optimised, efficiency-driven operations.

Many industries rely on tank containers for on-site storage as well. In the mining sector, they are used to store and transport process chemicals, fuels, and even water in remote locations. The pharmaceutical industry, in particular, benefits from the hygienic, easy-to-clean interiors of tank containers… ideal for sensitive ingredients and intermediates. Thanks to their modular design, companies can quickly scale up or down their storage capacity without any major infrastructure changes.

Tank containers also play a core role in waste management and recycling. They are used to collect, transport, and temporarily store liquid waste, including hazardous byproducts, before safe disposal or treatment. Their ability to safely contain aggressive or toxic substances makes them indispensable for environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

Benefits of tank containers in global logistics

Tank containers offer several key benefits in international logistics:

• Reduced handling: Cargo stays in the same container from origin to destination, minimizing the risk of spills, contamination, or loss.
• Cost efficiency: By eliminating the need for intermediate packaging or transfer, tank containers help lower overall logistics costs.
• Flexibility: Easily switch between shipping methods to adapt to changing schedules or market demands.
• Cargo security: Robust construction and secure sealing protect valuable or sensitive goods during long-distance transport.
• Regulatory compliance: Most tank containers are certified to meet international safety and transport standards, simplifying customs and border crossings.

These gains make tank containers a preferred choice for companies looking to streamline their global supply chains and ensure reliable delivery of bulk products.

Food and beverage tank containers

The food and beverage industry has demanding requirements for hygiene, safety, and temperature control. The good news is that tank containers are designed to meet these strict standards. The best tank containers are built with food-grade stainless steel interiors, ensuring that products like edible oils, fruit juices, wine, and dairy remain uncontaminated during transit. The smooth, seamless surfaces make cleaning and sterilization straightforward, essential for maintaining product quality and meeting health regulations.

Temperature-sensitive goods can be transported in insulated or heated tank containers, which helps maintain the right conditions from origin to destination. This is especially important for products like chocolate, milk, or certain juices. The last thing you’d want is the product spoiling or degrading due to temperature fluctuations.

Another key benefit is flexibility. Whether you’re moving ingredients between processing plants or delivering finished products to distributors, tank containers can be easily transferred between trucks, trains, and ships. This intermodal capability helps food and beverage companies reach global markets efficiently, while keeping their products intact.

Chemical and hazardous material tank containers

Transporting chemicals and hazardous materials requires strict adherence to safety standards. There are tank containers that are engineered to meet precisely these challenges. Robust construction, pressure relief systems, specialist linings… all features that allow you to move acids, solvents, fuels, and other dangerous goods safely. Many tank containers are certified to carry hazardous materials under international regulations such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG), Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

For companies in the chemical sector, tank containers provide peace of mind by minimizing the risk of leaks, spills, or contamination. The ability to seal and monitor the container throughout its journey ensures that even volatile or reactive substances arrive safely at their destination. Some tank containers are equipped with advanced features including vapour recovery systems or double-walled insulation for added protection.

On top of transport, though, tank containers are often used to store hazardous materials on site, providing a secure and compliant solution for managing your inventory. Particularly valuable for companies operating in remote or temporary locations, where permanent storage facilities may not be readily available.

Intermodal tank containers

Tank containers are a game-changer for intermodal shipping, allowing seamless movement of bulk liquids and gases across different modes of transport – road, rail, and sea – without the need for repackaging. Their versatility is a major scoring point for companies engaged in global trade. Whether you’re exporting chemicals from Europe to Asia or importing food products from South America, tank containers ensure that your cargo remains secure and intact throughout the journey.

And thanks to their standardized dimensions, ISO tank containers especially can be easily loaded between container ships, freight trains, and trucks, streamlining the logistics process and reducing handling times. This also helps to optimize routes, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.

Tank containers for specialist uses and niche industries

Beyond the mainstream applications, tank containers have found a home in several niche industries that require unique solutions. In the energy sector, for example, they are used to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG), biofuels, and speciality chemicals to remote drilling sites or renewable energy projects. The cosmetics and personal care industry relies on tank containers for moving bulk ingredients like essential oils, fragrances, and liquid bases, where purity and contamination control are critical.

In the construction industry, tank containers are sometimes repurposed as mobile water tanks or for storing admixtures used in concrete production. The agriculture sector uses them for distributing liquid fertilizers, pesticides, and even molasses for animal feed. Some companies have even converted tank containers into portable water treatment units or emergency response systems for disaster relief.

Key takeaways

What makes tank containers so valuable is their versatility and adaptability. With the right fittings, linings, or modifications, they can be tailored to handle almost any liquid or gas, no matter how challenging the requirements. This flexibility, combined with their durability and ease of use across multiple transport methods, make tank containers an essential tool across a diverse range of industries.

The experts in tank containers

At Tankcon, we can provide exactly the right tank container you need – whether new or used, for purchase or for rental, made to ISO dimensions or made to order. We are based at the Port of Rotterdam, so you can bet that we know logistics like no other.

Is a tank container the right solution for you?

Which tank container is the best fit for you and your logistics? Speak to us today and our team of experts will help you choose the right solution for your specific needs.