During transport, rust doesn’t just appear ‘by chance’. It often stems from an invisible enemy: moisture and condensation. And by sea (or during long periods of storage), the risk increases.
The good news is that corrosion can be prevented. The bad news is that simply ‘adding plastic’ isn’t enough: you need a combination of targeted protective measures, chosen according to the product and the journey.
Why corrosion forms during transport
All it takes is a change in temperature, a container that “sweats”, or an unheated warehouse: moisture turns into condensation and settles on metal surfaces. The result: oxidation, stains, rust, damaged components and disputes upon delivery.
In practice: the goods may arrive intact… but non-compliant.
The 3 most commonly used solutions
1) VCI: ‘active’ corrosion protection
VCI (Vapour Corrosion Inhibitor) is a technology that creates a protective environment around metal parts. It is often used when:
– you have ferrous components or sensitive machined parts
– you want effective protection without heavy oiling
– the shipment involves medium to long transit times or multiple handling operations
It’s not magic: it works if the packaging is set up correctly (volume, sealing, combination with other barriers).
2) Moisture barrier: when you need to “seal”
A moisture barrier is needed when you need to reduce the ingress of vapour or create insulation from the external environment (typical for long journeys, sea freight, containers). It makes sense when:
– the goods are sensitive to moisture and condensation
– you anticipate temperature fluctuations and prolonged stops
– you want a more “controlled” level of protection
3) Desiccant salts: the right choice against condensation
Desiccants help manage residual moisture and any moisture that may form over time inside the packaging. They are recommended when:
– transport/storage times are long
– the journey includes sea routes or humid environments
– you want to reduce the risk of “container sweat”
The golden rule: protection is essential, but avoid over-packaging
Packing ‘everything together’ isn’t always the best choice.
A proper approach starts with a simple question: what is the actual risk?
– destination and mode of transport (land/sea/air)
– timeframes (transit + any storage)
– product material and finish (steels, alloys, treatments)
– aesthetic/technical tolerance (even a stain can be a problem)
From here, we decide whether protection alone is sufficient, or whether a combination of VCI + moisture barrier + desiccants is required.
Our approach
For Cavanna, corrosion protection is not a “standard option”: it is a project. We design the solution based on:
– destination
– transit and storage times
– product type and surfaces
– handling and packaging methods (crate, cage, pallet)
Objective: to ensure the goods arrive intact and ready for use, with no surprises upon opening.
Have you already experienced rust issues during delivery, or do you need to ship by sea?
Tell us the destination, transit times and type of components: we’ll help you choose the right combination of VCI, moisture barrier and desiccants, avoiding excessive packaging and unnecessary costs.
