Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2010.
The transport of liquids such as chemicals or potable foodstuff (juices, oils) is a niche market that requires specialized containers. Tank containers only come in a dimension of 20 feet because of the higher weight to volume ratio liquids have. A 40-foot tank container would exceed the weight limitations of intermodal equipment. Tank containers have specific transport requirements such as being at least 80% full (surging) and be 95% full at the maximum (thermal expansion of liquids).