Abstract: The application relates to shipping and off-loading of a granular, powdered, or other particulate materials using flexible containers, where the product tends to partially or fully consolidate during loading and/or shipping, therefore making off-loading problematic. One method includes loading a granular product into a flexible container, shipping the product-loaded flexible container to an end user or intermediate storage facility, and off-loading the granular product from the flexible container. The off-loading includes fluidly connecting a fluid supply conduit to the flexible container, commencing flow of fluid into the flexible container, forming a slurry of at least a portion the granular product and the fluid, and routing the slurry out of the flexible container through a slurry off-loading conduit. In some instances the methods include heating the fluid before and/or during its flow into the flexible container.