More Than One Type of Tank Container: Finding the Right Container for Your Liquid Cargo

Created on Today

Liquid cargo transportation is never a "one-size-fits-all" business. Different media have completely different requirements for tank containers — some need high pressure resistance, some need cryogenic insulation, some are afraid of corrosion, and some cannot tolerate any contamination. That is why we do not offer just one tank container. We offer a product matrix covering multiple types and configurations.

From T11 to T75: Each Tank Has Its Own Specialty

If you are transporting edible oil, milk, juice, or syrup, the T11 liquid food tank container is the most common choice. It can be equipped with cooling or heating devices as needed, keeping food at the right temperature during transit.

If you are dealing with highly corrosive media like concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or hydrofluoric acid, ordinary tanks are not enough. We offer rubber-lined tank bodies or directly adopt the T20 thickened wall solution — using thicker steel to withstand the corrosion risk.

The T20 also serves another specialized purpose — bitumen transport. For this medium, which needs to stay flowable at high temperatures, the tank is equipped with a dedicated burner heating pipe to ensure smooth unloading.

High Pressure and Cryogenic: Two Extremes, Two Solutions

The T50 tank container serves a special category of cargo: gases that can be liquefied simply by applying pressure at room temperature. LPG, butadiene, propylene, dimethyl ether, as well as liquid chlorine, liquid ammonia, and ethylene oxide — these media have high requirements for pressure ratings. T50 tanks can be manufactured to ASME or GB standards, adapting to over 70 types of media. For liquid chlorine tanks, the valve configuration is particularly critical — safety comes first, cost comes second.

The T75 follows a completely different technical path — cryogenic. LNG needs to be kept at -162°C, oxygen at -183°C, and carbon dioxide at -56.55°C. For these cargoes, the key is vacuum insulation technology, which locks low temperatures tightly inside the tank. LNG tank containers are among the most representative members of the T75 family.

A Few More Specialists

Yellow phosphorus has its own dedicated tank design. Hydrogen peroxide requires special consideration of its oxidizing properties and decomposition risks, with extra requirements for tank material and cleanliness.

For scenarios that do not require frequent lifting — such as overland diesel transport — we offer 20ft and 40ft diesel tank containers, designed specifically for road and rail use, with a simpler structure and more controlled costs.

Behind Every Tank Container: A Deep Understanding of Compatibility

When many customers first learn about tank containers, they ask the same question: "What can you carry?" Our answer is: first tell us what you need to carry.

Each medium has its own "personality." Some cannot stand heat, some cannot stand cold, some corrode steel, and some require absolute purity. Our job is not to sell a standard product, but to help you choose — or customize — a truly suitable "mobile container" after understanding your cargo.

T1 to T22 cover conventional chemical products. T23 is for organic peroxides. T50 handles high-pressure gases. T75 handles cryogenic liquefied gases. T11 handles food products. T20 handles bitumen. This is only part of our product line. If these are not enough, we can do further customization based on your operating conditions.

The world of tank containers is far richer than many people imagine. And we happen to know this world well.

This article is based on technical knowledge of the tank container industry. If you have liquid or gas cargo transportation needs, feel free to tell us your medium type and usage scenario, and we will recommend a suitable tank container solution for you.

ACE Container and Parts Co., Limited is a professional supplier of shipping containers and container parts. We were founded in 2011 and located in Tianjin, China. There is Xingang Port, the largest port in North of China. About 60km far from Beijing International Airport.

We are the No.1 shipping container supplier. We can provide One-Stop shipping container solution for customers. We have obtained ISO9001 and SGS certificate. We can provide shipping containers with CCS, BV, LR, DNVGL Certificate.