Skip to main content

Moisture and Condensation as a Challenge for Cargo in Transit

One of the main problems our clients from all different industries encounter in terms of damage of cargo in transit is the moisture and condensation – especially on those shipments with long transit time. It is common practice to use moisture absorbing ‘desiccant’ bags in order to minimize the risk – but once saturated, they serve no further purpose. Also the risk is rather the condensation, which will happen depending on the dew point. Desiccant bags may marginally reduce the dew-point-threshold, but they can’t eliminate the risk of condensation.
The Relative humidity of an average shipment can easily vary between 40% and 90%. However, the up and down of the relative humidity is not always relevant and most likely will not affect the cargo as the container is a closed ecosystem.
Assuming a temperature of 11.5 °C with a relative humidity of 91% inside the container would lead to a dew point of 10.1 °C. Desiccant bags may reduce the relative humidity inside the container to 89% or 85%, which reduces the dew point only marginally to 9.8 °C and 9.1 °C, respectively.
If the outside temperature however in this example falls below 9 °C, condensation will happen and affect the cargo quality.

Attached picture shows the impact of condensation along the walls for a container full of coffee beans.
Thanks to real-time cargo monitoring, the shipper can be informed immediately when condensation most likely is happening and/or give a condensation-risk-forecast based on local weather forecast. It enables the shipper to make decisions on
  • reposition container
  • inspect container
  • claims handling
  • proactively inform client

At the same time, real-time monitoring also allows to
  • detect holes in the container, through which water can enter the container
  • improve the end-to-end performance,
  • improve the security

All this information allows to optimize supply-chain processes, mitigate future risk, reduce insurance premium and capital cost.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Networked Supply Chains Require Better Visibility

As manufactures and retailers increasingly depend on extended rosters of sourcing companies, the resulting networked supply chain requires improved visibility. Importers are using multiple sourcing vendors to improve their ability to respond to market demand and opportunities. With this increased sourcing agility comes the increased risk of delivery failure due to a supply chain disruption and, concurrently, the increased importance of visibility into each step of the supply chain. The ability to in real time identify the location and status of the sourced goods gives the importer the ability to fine tune its distribution channels, its inventory management and its ability to fulfill commitments to its end users. The ability to real time monitor the status of goods requires a combination of container based technology, back-end business applications and an extended network of logistics fulfillment partners. In response to this emerging demand, many companies are offering RFID, GSM and si
3 comments
Read more

Traceability: Meet your food before your first bite!

  Traceability is a digital solution that enables companies to effectively track their products from origin to consumer by utilizing digital markers for identification. Various traceability solutions exist, including Digital Traceability, Laboratory Traceability, and Mapping Traceability. With the growth of the market for high-quality food products, the importance of traceability and origin verification has increased significantly. These measures are crucial in protecting brands and ensuring ongoing consumer satisfaction. 58% of consumers are willing to pay a premium if it supports local farmers. In food production, consumers have a strong desire to have complete visibility into their food's origin and production methods. Research conducted by Label Insight revealed that 81% of consumers actively seek more information about where their food is grown or raised before purchasing. Moreover, 58% are willing to pay a premium if it supports local farmers, while 57% will only buy items ce
Post a Comment
Read more

What are the Impediments to an Effective Global Trade?

If you define an ‘Effective Global Trade’ as a trade that is executed on schedule, without damage to the cargo and at planned cost, then your threshold for an ‘Effective Global Trade’ is too low. If you define an ‘Effective Global Trade’ as a transaction that is on schedule, at cost, end to end visible, continuously monitored, agile enough to enable redirecting the container and inventory while in transit, with managed and authorized custody, all transactions executed on line, 100% compliant with Customs and regulatory rules, and with fulfillment data integrated into your supply chain management system and ERP’s, then your concept of an ‘Effective Global Trade’ is aspirational. What challenges do Consignees or traders, LSP’s and Regulators face in trying to realize an aspirational “Effective Global Trade’? Consignee, LSP’s and Regulators: the consignee, fulfillment and regulatory takeholders business practices and culture attributes that impede an effective trade include: · Cons
2 comments
Read more