Use this calculator to estimate how many containers an order of crude palm oil or TSR10 and TSR20 natural rubber needs. For TSR20, a 20ft container typically holds about 20 tonnes net: 576 loose bales of 35 kg, or 16 pallets of 36 bales. For crude palm oil, our standard flexitank in a 20ft container holds 22 tonnes. Every assumption below can be changed to match your contract.
For grade, packing and supply details, see crude palm oil and TSR20 natural rubber.
Depends on flexitank size and oil temperature.
Result
- Net tonnes per flexitank
- 22
- 20ft containers with flexitanks needed
- 5
- Last flexitank
- 12 t
Estimates only. Confirm loads with the seller and your forwarder before booking.
Default assumptions
| Item | Default | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TSR20 bale weight | 35 kg | The most common bale size; 33.33 kg bales also exist |
| Bales per pallet | 36 | Gives 1.26 tonnes net per pallet |
| Maximum net per 20ft (TSR20) | 20.16 tonnes | 16 pallets or 576 bales, within typical weight limits |
| Maximum net per 40ft (TSR20) | 25.2 tonnes | 20 pallets; rubber hits weight limits long before the space is full |
| CPO per flexitank | 22 tonnes | Our standard 20ft flexitank fill |
Why weight, not space, decides the load
TSR20 is dense. A 20ft container has around 33 cubic metres of space, but road, port and container payload limits cap the cargo at a little over 20 tonnes on most routes. A 40ft container doubles the space but adds only part of that in allowed weight. That is why most TSR20 moves in 20ft containers, and why the calculator lets you set the maximum net tonnes for your route.
Check the road weight limit in your destination country too. Some countries limit the gross weight of a truck and container below what the container itself can carry.
How the calculation works
TSR20. The order in tonnes is divided by the bale weight to give the number of bales, rounded up. The number of bales that fit in one container is the maximum net weight divided by the bale weight, rounded down to whole bales, or to whole pallets if palletised. The number of containers is the total bales divided by bales per container, rounded up. The last container shows what is left over.
Crude palm oil. The order in tonnes is divided by the net tonnes per flexitank, rounded up. Bulk and ISO tank shipments use different sizes and are not covered here.
Practical points
- Round to full containers. Freight is charged per container, so an order that leaves a half-full last container costs more per tonne. Adjust the order or use the contract tolerance.
- Use the tolerance. Many contracts allow 5% more or less at the seller's option, which helps fill the last container.
- Pallets add tare weight. The calculator works in net weight. Pallets and crates add to the gross weight that counts against road limits.
- Flexitank fill varies. CPO is loaded warm and its volume changes with temperature, so the net weight per flexitank depends on the tank size and loading conditions.
For more on bales, pallets and loading, read TSR20 container loading. For routes and transit times, see shipping from Monrovia.