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Shipping container in transit is exposed to various changes in the climate as it passes through different climatic zones causing condensation to occur. Extreme climatic conditions can occur in winter at temperatures below freezing point, when passing through tropical climatic zones or when moving from the tropics to temperate climatic zones.

During transit, the temperature changes are fairly straightforward, direct solar heating of the container during the day and cooling at night, combined with high humidity when passing through tropical zones. But the other contributing factor to condensation is the water content in the container.

Condensation develops inside the shipping container, which leads to spoilage of the contents. In addition, humid air trapped inside containers, or certain hygroscopic items within them, such as wooden pallets, can intensify the moisture problem. This irreversible damage can lead to the impossible loss of millions of dollars in escalated shipping and materials costs.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of moisture or humidity damage in the shipping container is through container desiccants. Specifically developed to combat condensation during long-haul transport via air, sea, or land, container desiccants contain a clay compound capable of absorbing up to half their weight in moisture. These desiccants activate whenever the dew point is reached, and condensation starts to form inside the shipping container.

Desiccants are commonly used to keep products dry and stable. Dry desiccants can absorb moisture from the air either by physical adsorption or by chemical reaction and thus reduce the humidity in the headspace of sealed containers. Desiccants based on a mixture of clay and calcium chloride have a vigorous absorption rate over a large temperature range and work as very good absorbers for shipping containers.

Using desiccants is one of the best ways to minimize the effects of container rain. A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that creates or maintains a state of dryness.

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Cargo Dry Pak is a container desiccant based on Calcium Chloride and works well over a wide range of climatic conditions as it is resistant to aging and temperature variations. These container desiccant bags are available in two sizes: 500 gm can be placed on pallets or products, and 1500 gm can be hung on the sidewalls of the container. Since Cargo Dry Pak is completely safe and hence can be used with pharmaceuticals and food products.