In 1984 Trans Ocean Distribution Limited was formed as a subsidiary of Trans Ocean Leasing. Based in Chandlers Ford near Southampton, its purpose was to offer an international transportation service to bulk liquid customers, using rubber reusable flexitanks. Most of the original staff, some of whom are still with the company today, were bulk liquid experts and could see the benefit of flexitanks as a cost effective alternative to ISO tanks.

The company vision quickly paid off with rapid and consistent growth augmented by the 1988 purchase of Unispeed , the flexitank division of P&O and the 1990 purchase of Trinicon from Sea Containers.

As flexitank technology developed, Trans Ocean’s position as market leader was further enhanced in 1995 when it opened its first flexitank manufacturing plant  in the UK, incorporating exacting quality control standards, which are still in place today in its factories in Shanghai, Port Kelang and Capetown.