Benefits of Using Shipping Container Desiccants

What Are Container Desiccants?

Container desiccant is a type of shipping material that’s used to prevent humidity and water damage to cargo. This type of damage is especially prevalent during sea freight transportation.

Container desiccants generally come in the form of desiccant bags filled with absorbent beads that help retain moisture that may form within a shipping container. This build up of moisture is often referred to as “container rain.”

Container rain happens when the moisture in the air condenses in the cooler areas of the shipping container. When it starts to accumulate, droplets may fall and cause a raining sensation. Container rain is especially prevalent when containers are loaded near the ocean, where the air tends to be more humid. Although it’s more common in sea freight, it is important to note that moisture buildup can also occur during air and land transportation.

This exposure to moisture can be extremely damaging to the contents of your shipping container and may result in value depreciation or rejection of your shipment. Shipping container desiccants are safe to use with a variety of products, including food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, household goods, machinery, auto parts, and more.
In addition to container rain, cargo can be exposed to moisture or other damage due to:
• Flooding
• Cargo contamination
• Odor
• Decaying of fresh goods
• Inefficient temperature control
• Pest infestation

As you can see, the potential for cargo damage is extremely high and, as a result, very costly. However, cargo desiccants can help target moisture exposure at the source and minimize its risk.

5 Ways Container Desiccants Benefit Your Shipment
Container desiccants are an effective way to protect your cargo. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the applications of this tool and share five benefits of using shipping container desiccants.

1. Prevents cargo loss and damage
The primary benefit container desiccants offer is cargo protection. By minimizing potential for cargo damage, this tool helps ensure the integrity of shipped goods so that they can be delivered in good condition. When items are not successfully delivered due to damage, the shipping party eats the cost of the items, and oftentimes the additional costs associated with shipping. One bad shipment is costly enough, but persistent issues can seriously impact the profitability of distribution for your business.

By addressing the source of damage from the start, you can greatly reduce the likelihood that your shipment will face exposure to moisture in transit.

2. Avoids cargo contamination
The global economy depends on imports from around the world to make everyday items, like groceries, cleaning chemicals, auto parts, and more accessible to consumers. This means that your cargo could be transported with any number of other types of products, including those listed above.

When cargo is not properly packaged or protected from things like moisture or temperature changes, the risk for cargo contamination increases. Cargo contamination refers to cargo that is exposed to potentially dangerous substances. This kind of exposure can lead to cargo damage or even threaten the safety of persons and other cargo on board.

By employing leakproof cargo desiccants, you can reduce the potential for cargo contamination, protecting your own shipment and others.

3. Promotes sustainability
When cargo is protected from damage, it helps mitigate the overproduction of goods that happens when items are rendered too damaged or defective for fulfillment. Plus, taking measures to deal with container moisture helps extend the life of the container itself.

4. Cost-effective
While they incur cost upfront, container desiccants can help you avoid more serious expenses later on down the road if your cargo is damaged in transit. Our packaging solutions feature a variety of options for small and large shipments. Plus, our custom options allow you to create a unique solution that suits your shipment’s needs.

5. Easy to use
INPAT Dry desiccant bags for shipping containers come with a cutting-edge hook for quick and simple installation. Add desiccant bags to your shipping container in seconds to protect your cargo in a quick, straightforward operation.

Our container desiccant solutions
Inpat (M) Sdn Bhd offers a wide variety of container desiccants made with fast-acting gel designed to save space while providing maximum absorption. Our inventory features four different styles by Inpat:

• Inpat Dry Magma (2G, 5G, 10G, 25G, 50G, 100G)
  
• Inpat Dry Max (125G, 250G, 500G & 1000G)
  
• Inpat Molecular Sieve
  
• Inpat Dry Silica Gel
  
• Inpat Dry Activated Clay
  
• Inpat Oxygen Absorber