Fish oil, prized for its omega-3 fatty acids essential for heart health and brain function, is a key ingredient in dietary supplements and animal feed. However, transporting fish oil is challenging as it is susceptible to temperature changes, oxidation, and contamination. Exposure to air, light, and harsh conditions can degrade its quality, causing rancidity and nutrient loss. Ensuring the integrity of fish oil from production to delivery is crucial. Flexitanks offer a highly effective solution for bulk transport, maintaining the oil’s quality. This blog will discuss how fluid flexitanks can preserve fish oil during transit, highlighting their benefits and optimal usage practices.

Why Use Flexitanks for Fish Oil Transport?

Fish oil, being rich in polyunsaturated fats, is especially prone to degradation from heat, oxygen, light, and moisture. This makes it crucial for shippers to consider transport methods that minimize exposure to these damaging elements. Fluid Flexitanks offer a range of benefits that make them the ideal solution for fish oil transport, including:

1. Sealed Environment Reduces Contaminant Exposure: Flexitanks create a sealed, closed system that dramatically minimizes exposure to air and potential contaminants. Traditional methods like drums or IBC totes can’t match this level of protection, often exposing fish oil to oxygen and light which can degrade its quality. The sealed nature of flexitanks ensures that fish oil is transported in an environment that preserves its nutritional benefits by preventing oxidation.
2. Stable Temperature Control: Temperature fluctuations can adversely affect fish oil, causing it to thicken or degrade. Flexitanks offer superior temperature stability as their large volume allows liquid to experience slower temperature changes than smaller containers. This feature is crucial for maintaining the oil’s viscosity, especially in extreme climates. Flexitanks can also be equipped with thermal liners or heating pads to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the journey.
3. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Flexitanks are highly efficient, capable of carrying up to 24,000 liters of fish oil in a single shipment. This capability reduces the number of containers needed, thereby lowering transportation costs. Additionally, the one-time use nature of flexitanks eliminates the expenses associated with the cleaning and return logistics required for reusable containers. The efficiency in loading and unloading further reduces logistical expenses, making flexitanks an economically advantageous choice for bulk fish oil transportation.
4. Minimized Risk of Leakage and Spillage: Unlike traditional methods that rely on multiple containers each with potential failure points, flexitanks employ a single-seal system that significantly reduces the risk of leaks and spillages. Their flexible design ensures no sharp edges or exposed joints are present, which could compromise the integrity of the container. This design minimizes handling risks during loading, transit, and unloading, crucial for preserving high-value products like fish oil where even minor losses can be financially significant.

Best Practices for Safe Fish Oil Transport

To ensure the safe transport of fish oil, follow these best practices:

• Choose a high-quality, food-grade flexitank to maintain oil purity and prevent contamination.
• Inspect the container for any defects before filling it with oil. Ensure it’s dry, clean, and free of sharp edges.
• Use temperature control options if required to maintain optimal oil viscosity during transit, especially in extreme climates.
• Follow the manufacturer’s filling guidelines to avoid overfilling or underfilling the flexitank.
• Ensure proper valve sealing to prevent leaks and spills during transport.
• Unload the fish oil efficiently, using a pump system to minimize residue and product loss.

Maintaining the oil’s nutrient integrity is crucial for businesses involved in fish oil transport. Flexitanks offer a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution for bulk liquid transport, providing a sealed environment that protects the oil from oxidation, contamination, and temperature fluctuations. 

Contact Fluid Flexitanks today to learn more about our Flexitank solutions for bulk liquid transport and ensure your fish oil shipments arrive optimally.