Bulk wine remains a cornerstone of Australia's export success. According to Wine Australia, unpackaged wine exports reached 416 million litres in the 12 months ended December 2025, accounting for approximately 68% of the country's total wine export volume. As global supply chains become increasingly focused on efficiency, flexibility and sustainability, bulk transportation continues to provide Australian wineries with a powerful route to international markets.
Hillebrand Gori Australia estimates that the equivalent of more than 17,000 standard bulk shipments supports the movement of Australian wine to export markets each year. At this scale, even small improvements in container utilisation can improve operational efficiency across the supply chain.
Why efficiency matters more than ever
Rising freight costs, ongoing capacity pressures, evolving customer requirements and increasing sustainability expectations are challenging producers and exporters to find smarter ways to move more product while maintaining quality and reliability.
For wineries exporting bulk wine, increasing the amount of product carried in each container can help lower transport costs per litre, improve operational efficiency and potentially reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by minimising the number of containers required to move the same volume of wine.
Maximising capacity and flexibility with XL Flexitanks
Hillebrand Gori's XL Flexitank is a two-compartment polyethylene tank that fits inside a standard shipping container, enabling wine producers and exporters to maximise container utilisation without compromising product quality. With a capacity of up to 27,000 litres*, it can carry up to 12.5% more volume than a standard 24,000-litre flexitank, helping reduce freight costs per litre and potentially reduce transport-related emissions by moving more product in fewer shipments.
"Australia is one of the world's leading bulk wine exporters, and our customers are increasingly looking for ways to move more product efficiently while maintaining quality and flexibility," said Rintira Sutthitham, Hillebrand Gori Country Manager - Australia. "As the industry faces increasing pressure to optimise costs and improve operational and environmental performance, making every litre count has become a key priority. The introduction of XL Flexitank solutions reflects the evolving needs of wineries, importers and distributors seeking greater efficiency without compromising product integrity."
Manufactured in-house and developed in collaboration with wine experts, the XL Flexitank incorporates patented barrier technology designed to help protect wine quality throughout transit. Compatible with both dry and reefer containers, it also offers flexible compartment configurations to support different shipping requirements.
*Subject to country-specific weight restrictions.
Looking Ahead
As market conditions continue to evolve, logistics innovation will play an increasingly important role in helping wineries improve efficiency, manage costs and potentially reduce transport-related environmental impact.
For an industry that moves approximately 17,000 bulk shipments annually, every litre, every container, and every efficiency gain matter. Solutions such as Hillebrand Gori's XL Flexitank range demonstrate how smarter bulk transportation can help wine businesses move more product while supporting their operational and environmental objectives.
Interested in exploring how Flexitank solutions can support your bulk wine supply chain? Learn more on the Flexitank solutions page or contact the Hillebrand Gori Australia team at aua-salesteam@hillebrandgori.com for expert advice and tailored transport solutions.
Hillebrand Gori is a Silver Partner of the Drinks Association.