Tips To Prevent Shipping Container Condensation

Written by Susan Nalevac | October 26, 2022

Moisture and condensation are perhaps the greatest enemies of shipping containers. Without sufficient maintenance and care, condensation can cause corrosion and rust, reducing the usability of the shipping container.

Keep your shipping container dry and rust-free with these simple tips for preventing shipping container condensation:

• Install More Ventilation
• Utilize Desiccants
• Switch to Plastic Pallets
• Use Barrier Film

Install More Ventilation

Airflow is critical to preventing condensation in any space, especially steel shipping containers. As such, one of the most effective methods for preventing condensation in containers is to provide greater airflow and more balanced temperatures between the inside and outside of the container.

Ventilation helps remove warm and moist air from the container and introduces cooler outside air. Almost all containers have some ventilation, but in some cases, you may need to consider adding additional vents.

Utilize Desiccants

If you’ve ever bought clothes, shoes, or other products and noticed sealed bags at the bottom of the package, you’ve seen how a desiccant works. Desiccants help keep the product and surrounding air dry to avoid a buildup of moisture, and they can also be used for containers.

You’ll need something bigger than those tiny bags for your shipping container, but owners can find larger desiccants for industrial purposes. Desiccants come in various forms, including large bags, blankets, or pads. Remember to take them out if you’re shipping any moist products, as it can ruin them.

Switch to Plastic Pallets

The wooden pallets you use to store goods and products can act as a trojan horse for moisture to infiltrate your container. As we all know, natural wood likes to soak up water and absorb as much moisture as it can—so if it’s exposed to water or rain and brought into your container, it brings that moisture in with it.

Plastic pallets are waterproof and won’t bring any moisture or water into your container. Since they’re waterproof, plastic pallets won’t split or crack after absorbing water or swell like natural wood.

Pro Tip: Plastic pallets also last longer than wood pallets, so while they cost more initially, they offer greater long-term value.

Use Barrier Film

Another technique for preventing shipping container condensation that many container owners have had success with is using vapor barrier film. Visqueen vapor barrier block film is a polyethylene sheet that prevents warm and moist air from entering a structure.

It’s commonly used in construction and insulation, but it’s equally effective in preventing condensation when laid at the foundation under a container. At just a few bucks for a roll of film, it’s one of the simplest and most affordable solutions to preventing shipping container condensation.