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Shipping container
moisture problems
Condensation can appear when storing in shipping containers
and during the inclement months of the year this can become
more of an issue. There are a number of contributory factors
that create this problem. To understand this problem in
greater detail well endeavour to explain. Used shipping
containers may have moisture in the floors from
previous uses, and even new builds if left shut for
prolonged periods may produce some moisture inside. |
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The items you are storing may well
contain moisture of some kind even a bed mattress
has a moisture content. Other house hold items like
dishwashers, clothing washing machines, fridges and
freezers, even in winter or summer, will turn that
moisture to vapour and as the temperature changes. Ultimately the
result is that vapour will become water droplets that gather
on the ceiling and start falling to the floor or on stored
items.
To help prevent this there are many views and suggestions about, but
in reality the most successful method is the use of chemical
dehumidifiers. These work very well as they either contain silica
gel or desiccant clay depending on the product you buy. Shipping
lines have always traditionally used gel packets within clothing
containers and electrical goods transportation. However “dry poles”
as they have become known do work well. The costs vary greatly but
you should not pay any more than around £30.00 each. Our recommended
supplier of these is www.itsbonedry.com a very good and
environmentally safe product supplier. Manually insulating shipping
containers with ply clad compressed foam works but it is costly to
achieve.
Equally there is another product proven to be helpful in this area
called “Graffo” this is like a spray on porridge type product which
is water based. This seems a very strange way to eliminate moisture
but it is very good. This insulates the roof internally keeping heat
in and cold out. Please contact us if you wish to learn more about
this method of moisture prevention.
Container moisture technical bulletin
When deciding whether a certain Shipping Container
is suitable for transporting a certain cargo, it is
vital for those involved to have sufficient
knowledge about the anticipated climatic conditions
in the Shipping Container. The three major factors
which have a decisive impact upon the crypto climate
(microclimate) in the Shipping Container are as
follows : external climatic conditions, the type of
Shipping Container and the cargo being transported.
External climatic conditions have a decisive impact
upon the climatic conditions inside containers. The
transport route in particular determines external
climatic conditions, season and time of day and the
current weather (rain, sunlight etc.). Due to the
diversity of these factors, it is not
straightforward to predict how the container climate
will change in transit. It is not possible simply to
transfer the experience gained from one transport
operation to another, as the conditions prevailing
in transit often vary greatly, but an awareness of
how the factors interact is helpful in assessing
transport risks. In a nutshell mother nature rules
the roost.
The factors influencing Shipping Container climate
are highlighted in greater detail below:
1. Temperature conditions in the container:
The temperatures encountered in containers are
primarily determined by heat exchange across the
container walls. Good heat-transfer properties,
especially through the steel walls, and the
relatively large ratio of container surface area to
container volume have a favourable impact in this
respect. There are reflective materials available on
the market to reduce heat transfer, although
expensive.
In addition to solar radiation, external air
temperatures, wind and precipitation also have an
impact upon temperatures. Due to the wide variation
in levels of solar radiation over a day,
considerable temperature variation also occurs
inside the container. This particularly applies to
the air layers located directly beneath the
container roof, as this is where the effects of
solar radiation are at their strongest and thus
where the greatest heat exchange occurs. On exposure
to precipitation, such as rain, the container roof
likewise cools more rapidly than, for example, the
sidewalls, and the underside of the roof thus cools
down most readily. Overheating of the air inside the
container, i.e. heating to above the external air
temperature may be considerable even under normal
weather conditions. In contrast, the variations in
temperature of the cargo inside the container are
less marked.
2. Humidity conditions in the container:
Humidity conditions in the container are primarily
determined by internal factors, i.e. the prevailing
conditions are largely determined by the hygroscopic
characteristics of the cargo and its packaging.
Hygroscopic auxiliary packaging materials, such as
squared lumber for cargo securing, and the water
content of the flooring may also play a significant
part. Incoming outside air usually has no negative
impact upon humidity. Since the temperature
prevailing inside the container is generally higher
than the outside temperature, incoming air would
also reduce relative humidity.
Seawater or rain may penetrate damaged containers.
This constitutes a considerable potential risk. If
the container is packed in wet weather (snow, rain),
additional moisture may get into the container. As
always the visual inspection of Shipping Containers
is crucial for the safe transit of goods. Refer to
our section on Shipping Container inspection for
useful pro-active information. Any of our members
will be able to offer services relating to repairs
and inspection along with CSC certification. |
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Shipping
Container Trader - Unique Condensation
Solution |
| We are currently awaiting an import of a
brand new, cost effective and complete
solution - due within the next few days! We
will be selling this direct from our website
so please check back very soon to find out
more! |
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