Liquid logistics: The fine art of wine transport

Ever since people learned out how to make wine, they also had to figure out how to transport it. In fact, liquid logistics has been around for as long as people have been buying or selling liquids. Some of the most common archeological finds from Ancient Greece are amphora, ceramic containers used in vast amounts to store and transport oils and wine, among other things. The wine amphora even became a standard measure, holding about 39 liters (41 quarts).

Today, 8,000 years on, the challenges of bulk wine shipping have not fundamentally changed. How do we prevent temperature fluctuations, oxidation, and contamination? How can we move as much volume at as little weight as possible? Wine transportation is a specialist field in the logistics industry – one best left to those wine shipping companies who know the liquid logistics supply chain inside out, from the vine to the vessel to the venue.

Bulk wine transportation is in the bag

Wine transport might be eight centuries old, but wine shipping companies – like our own liquid logistics experts at Hillebrand Gori – continue to find new and novel ways to solve age-old problems.

For bulk liquid transport, the latest innovation is the Flexitank, which uses a bag to basically turn a standardized shipping container into a bulk liquid receptacle. The solution is combined with a reefer container for liquids that need to be kept at a specific temperature.

In a conventional twenty-foot container, you can fit around 13,200 bottles – the equivalent of 9,900 liters of wine. A Flexitank more than doubles the volume to 24,000 liters. That not only saves costs but is also good for the environment. Compared to conventional wine transport a Flexitank can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%, or around 2kg of CO₂ per kilometer traveled.

Another lesser-known advantage of bulk liquid transport over bottles and other packaging is that the content is not as prone to sudden temperature changes, thanks to a physical property known as thermal inertia. Basically, a 24,000-liter polythene bag heats up a lot slower than a one-liter bottle of wine.

Bulk wine shipping is also a trend in itself. For example, 40% of wine imports to the UK are bulk liquid transports, and 78% of all wine transports entering France in 2020 were in a bag, not a bottle.

Transporting wine bottles is about cool and clean

But what about wine still shipped in bottles? There will, of course, always be a need to transport wine in bottles and innovative wine transport solutions to do it. For example, to counter the effects of “container rain.” This is when condensation (water droplets) form in airtight containers due to temperature fluctuations, literally raining down on the contents. Container rain can happen as ships move through the seas, travelling from day to night and across latitudes. It can be a real problem for temperature-sensitive goods like wine. Wine shipping companies and freight forwarders specializing in liquid logistics use wine protection solutions, such as insulation liners to keep that rain away from the precious goods.

These liners are also used to minimize temperature fluctuations and avoid “thermal shock”. Extreme temperature changes are one of the biggest risks when transporting wine (or any bulk liquid logistics, for that matter). Contamination from outside as well as humidity can also damage shipments. Beverages can lose their taste – or even acquire a different, unwanted flavor. What applies to wine and other liquids also holds true for their containers. For example, even empty oak wine barrels need special care  during transport to avoid contamination or odors in transit.

But before the correct type of shipping container is chosen, it’s essential to understand the potential climate conditions along the shipping route. That’s why liquid logistics experts rely on systems to predict the temperature and humidity to assess the risks associated with each route.

Wine transportation is an intricate blend

The pandemic may have poured additional challenges onto the already complex world of liquid logistics and wine transport, but the current supply chain risks continue to makes reliability and resilience in supply chains mission critical.

Flexibility is a key tool for tackling complexity and sudden disruptions. While much of the world’s wine transports – at least for transcontinental stretches – are handled by sea, wine shipping companies quickly shift to air if speed is required. For example, some European wine producers turned to the skies to transport their wines to the United States at the beginning of 2021 and avoid a hike in the European wine tax that went into effect on January 14, 2021.

Five secrets to wine logistics, from the specialists at Hillebrand Gori

As you can see, wine transport is a specialized business, which is why we offer the service through our wine and spirits logisticspecialists, Hillebrand Gori. iNow that you’ve had a taste of the toast-worthy world of wine logistics, we’ve bottled up some important knowledge to take with you.

1.     Temperature control
As explained above, maintaining the ideal temperature is paramount during wine transportation. Wine is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can cause chemical reactions, spoilage, and irreversible damage. Specialized temperature-controlled transport methods ensure consistent conditions throughout the journey. Risk management solutions help customers anticipate climate conditions during the shipment, enabling proactive planning and safeguarding the wine’s integrity.

2.     Insulation liners
Insulation is a crucial aspect of wine transportation, providing protection against external elements. Thermal packaging materials are utilized to create a buffer against temperature variations in physical shocks. Insulation liners are a tested barrier against contaminants and other compounds to protect the container from temperature and humidity shifts during transportation.

3.     Customized packaging
Wine bottles require specialized packaging to withstand the rigors of transportation. Wine carriers are designed with individual compartments or inserts that secure the bottles, minimizing movement and reducing the risk of breakage.

4.     Protection against light
Exposure to light, particularly ultraviolet (UV), rays can negatively impact wine’s quality and aging potential. To prevent photodegradation, wine is transported using light-shielding techniques, such as tinted or UV-filtering packaging materials, opaque containers, or even darkened transport vehicles. These precautions shield the wine from light-induced chemical reactions and help preserve its desired characteristics.

5.     Regulatory compliance
Transporting wine across borders or between countries involves navigating a complex web of regulations and legal requirements. Import and export permits, customs duties, and labeling guidelines are just some considerations that must be addressed to ensure compliance and smooth wine transportation. It’s important to work with companies who understand what shipping documents you need.