Container condensation and heat: liner and desiccant bags
Against condensation in a container you use two passive means: a container insulation liner for the temperature and desiccant bags for the moisture. Only a moisture problem? Then desiccant bags are enough. Only temperature swings? Then a container liner is enough. If both risks apply, combine them.
Condensation in a container: where does container rain come from?
Condensation in a container, also called container rain, comes from moisture in the container. That moisture causes mold, corrosion and warped cardboard packaging.
Container insulation liner and condensation: what does the liner do?
A sea container insulation liner lines the cargo space with reflective, aluminum-coated bubble foil. This gives the cargo a more stable inside temperature, and that helps reduce condensation. It works in heat and in cold, can be placed without specialist tools and is reusable when handled with care.
Mind the limits. Can a container liner against condensation prevent it completely? No: it does not absorb moisture and it does not cool. It limits temperature differences, nothing more. There are liners for 20DV, 40DV, 40HC and 45HC containers. You can read more about the choice between insulating inside and outside in insulating a sea container: protect your cargo from heat and condensation.
Desiccant bags against condensation in the container
Desiccant bags absorb moisture from the air in the container and so prevent condensation on the cargo. They hang from the eyes in the container and stay in place, even in rough transport conditions. There are two versions: a set of 20 bags of 600 grams, which each absorb up to 2 liters of moisture, and a set of 10 bags of 1,200 grams, which each absorb up to 4 liters. See the container desiccant bags.
Container desiccant bags: the product details
According to the product description, container desiccant bags absorb moisture from the air in closed containers. They are meant to prevent condensation, mold and other moisture-related problems. There are two sets.
| Set | Weight per bag | Absorption per bag | Absorption of the whole set |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 pieces | 600 grams | up to 2 liters | up to 40 liters (20 x 2) |
| 10 pieces | 1,200 grams | up to 4 liters | up to 40 liters (10 x 4) |
The bags have hanging hooks, which you attach to the eyes in the container. The bags are light in weight. The 600-gram bag is also known as a container dry bag.
What the desiccant bags are meant for
- Food: vegetables, fruit and meat, against mold and fermentation.
- Metal products: against corrosion and rust during sea transport.
- Cardboard packaging: keeps boxes dry and prevents warping from condensation.
- General goods that are sensitive to moisture.
Heat damage in the container: what the liner does
According to the collection text, wine, oil, chocolate, cosmetics and electronics are at risk from heat, up to 60 °C in summer in a container, or from frost on winter routes. The liner limits those extremes. It does not cool.
According to the product description, a sea container without insulation is sensitive to external temperature swings. The liner lines the cargo space with reflective, aluminum-coated bubble foil and provides a more stable internal temperature. Four liners exist for the different container types.
| Liner | Dimensions (cm) | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Sea container insulation liner 20DV | 589 x 233 x 233 | Aluminum-coated bubble foil |
| Sea container insulation liner 40DV | 1,200 x 233 x 233 | Aluminum-coated bubble foil |
| Sea container insulation liner 40HC | 1,200 x 233 x 269 | Aluminum-coated bubble foil |
| Sea container insulation liner 45HC | 1,335 x 233 x 269 | Reflective aluminum-coated bubble foil |
According to the product description, all four can be installed without specialist tools and are suitable for reuse when handled with care. The description of the 40HC liner adds that the thermal protection helps reduce condensation. The liners come with an installation guide as a PDF: 9 steps with photos, from unrolling the liner on the container floor to zipping up the door cover.
Condensation and heat damage are two problems
Heat is a temperature problem, condensation is a moisture problem. A container liner tackles the first, desiccant bags tackle the second. If the cargo is sensitive to both risks, you use them together.
Which solution fits which risk?
| Risk | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Moisture control only | Desiccant bags |
| Temperature swings only | Container liner |
| Both risks | Container liner plus desiccant bags |
| Strictly refrigerated | Reefer |
Unsure between a reefer and a liner? Then read container liner or reefer: when to choose what.
Frequently asked questions about condensation in the container
Does a container liner prevent condensation completely?
No. It helps reduce condensation because the temperature stays more stable, but it does not absorb moisture. For moisture-sensitive cargo you combine it with desiccant bags.
Which desiccant bags are there?
There are two versions: a set of 20 bags of 600 grams, each with an absorption of up to 2 liters, and a set of 10 bags of 1,200 grams, each with an absorption of up to 4 liters.
How much moisture do the desiccant bags absorb together?
A set of 20 bags of 600 grams absorbs up to 2 liters per bag, up to 40 liters together. A set of 10 bags of 1,200 grams absorbs up to 4 liters per bag, also up to 40 liters together.
For which containers are there container liners?
For 20DV (589 x 233 x 233 cm), 40DV (1,200 x 233 x 233 cm), 40HC (1,200 x 233 x 269 cm) and 45HC (1,335 x 233 x 269 cm).
Is a container liner enough if my cargo must stay cooled?
No. A liner limits temperature change, but it does not cool. If the cargo must stay actively cooled, a reefer is the right route.
Order directly
See our container insulation solutions against condensation: container liners, desiccant bags and, for single pallets, insulated pallet covers. Available from stock.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
