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Discover the handy dunnage bag used to brace loads from shifting in transit.

Your Dunnage Bag questions answered.

When it comes to the safe transportation of goods, ensuring the stability and security of cargo is paramount. This is where dunnage bags provide a unique solution to a widespread problem many in the business of logistics experience. Learn about the dunnage bag and how it can help you protect your items in transit.

What are dunnage bags?

Dunnage bags are inflatable bags made of strong, flexible materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. They are used to fill the gaps and secure cargo loads in shipping containers, trucks, or railcars to prevent movement, shifting, and damage during transportation.

How do dunnage bags work?

Dunnage bags work by being placed in the void spaces between cargo items or between cargo and the walls of a shipping container or truck. Once positioned, the bags are inflated using compressed air, typically through a valve. As the bags fill with air, they expand and create a tight brace, exerting pressure on the cargo to immobilize it and prevent movement.

Dunnage Bags correctly placed, brace goods from collapsing or tipping over.

What are the benefits of using dunnage bags?

The use of dunnage bags offers several advantages:

Secure cargo: Dunnage bags provide a reliable solution for preventing cargo movement, reducing the risk of damage during transit.

Versatility: They can be used with a wide range of cargo types, including pallets, crates, and irregularly shaped items.

Cost-effective: Compared to other securing methods like wood bracing or metal strapping, dunnage bags are often more affordable.

Time-saving: Inflating and deflating dunnage bags is quick and easy, saving time during the loading and unloading process.

Safe to Handle: With no sharp edges or metal components, dunnage bags can easily be manipulated into position.

What sizes and types of dunnage bags are available?

Dunnage bags come in various sizes to accommodate different void spaces and cargo loads. Additionally, dunnage bags are available in different types, such as round bags, square bags, and wedge-shaped bags. The choice of bag type depends on the specific requirements of the cargo and the available space.

Protection Experts Australia supply three dunnage bag sizes:

  • Small – 90 x 120cm
  • Medium – 90 x 180cm
  • Large – 90 x 210cm

Are dunnage bags reusable?

Yes, dunnage bags are often reusable. They are designed to withstand multiple uses, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run. After the bags are deflated, they can be easily stored and reused for future shipments.

Can dunnage bags be used for international shipping?

Yes, dunnage bags are suitable for international shipping. They are widely used in various industries, including logistics, automotive, and manufacturing, for both domestic and international transportation. However, it’s important to ensure that the dunnage bags meet the specific requirements and regulations of the shipping company and the destination country.

Are there any safety precautions when using dunnage bags?

While dunnage bags are generally safe to use, it’s important to follow proper guidelines:

  • Choose the correct bag size and type to adequately fill the void space.
  • Ensure the bags are properly positioned and inflated to provide sufficient bracing.
  • Avoid overinflating the bags, as excessive pressure could damage the cargo. Pro-Ex bags come with a red stripe, which if visible indicates the bag has been over-inflated.
  • Regularly inspect the bags for any signs of wear, damage, or leaks.
  • Train personnel on proper handling and inflation techniques.
  • Follow any specific instructions provided by the dunnage bag manufacturer.

Dunnage Bags provide a safe, reliable and re-usable option when protecting cargo from shifting in transit risking damaging your goods. Check out Protection Experts Australia dunnage bag range including bags, inflator guns and hoses.  Reach out to our team who are happy to help find you the right product.

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Understanding Container Rain

Moisture damage 101 – What is container rain?

PUBLISHED BY ABSORTECH GROUP 19 MAY 2022

The following article by Absortech Group takes a look at container rain. What is it and why don’t they just keep the roof closed?

The first thing to say about container rain is that it isn’t like normal rain. You won’t open a container door to see that it’s turned into the showers at the gym. But the moisture-damaging effect on precious cargo is certainly like leaving goods out in the rain.

In actual fact, container rain is more like the dewy moisture that collects on the outside of a cold glass of beer or lemonade on a hot summer’s day. And just like your glass, you’ll want to put some protection like a coaster down so that the moisture doesn’t damage the antique table that’s been in your partner’s family for three generations…

Dewly noted

The science goes like this: when warm air meets the cooler surface of a chilled glass or steel container walls and ceilings that cool at night, the moisture in the air condenses on that surface. This condensation creates small water drops, which are drawn to each other to create larger drops. And finally these drops get so big that they fall down onto your shipment of high-tech, sensitive electronics or finely graded, powdered chemicals.

So how much of a temperature drop is needed to make it “rain”? A drop of 5°C is often all it takes. Which, with the warm days and cool nights of shipping by sea, effectively means there’s always a big risk.

Container breathing as well?

Unfortunately, it gets even worse for our sea cargos. Because these long-haul voyages take weeks, there may be 20, 30 or even more of these day/night temperature changes. And each time, the air inside warms and expands during the day, spilling out of the container. Then contracts as it cools at night drawing in more humid sea air from the outside. This is known as container breathing, and it means new moisture (and rain) to protect against every time the container “breathes in”.

Wait a minute. Container disco!!!?

Whenever you close the container door a disco starts up inside, then when you open the door it immediately stops … Don’t worry, we made that up.

Just checking you’re still with us.

What can you do about container rain?

Quite a lot is the reassuring answer. All it takes to protect expensive cargo is a little extra care and a simple, cost-effective moisture prevention strategy:

1. Make sure the container doesn’t have holes or damaged doors

A container that’s in good condition only allows air and moisture to move in and out slowly. Which will make a huge difference. But you can also tape over the ventilation holes for almost all shipments – except certain organic materials like cocoa that contain a lot of moisture that will easily evaporate into the air and can cause container rain from within.

2. Make sure the container and its contents are dry at the very start

Containers are normally washed before loading. But to avoid leaving the container too wet, avoid high-pressure washing and make sure excess water is dried up.

And remember – the pallets, wooden dunnage and sometimes the goods themselves will also bring in extra moisture. When the temperature rises in the container during the day, this moisture on the floor and in the pallets, packaging material and goods will evaporate into the air. Increasing the humidity and, in turn, greatly increasing the risk of container rain once the air cools at night.

3. Take care of any extra moisture with high-quality, reliable desiccants

Once you’ve minimised the moisture in the container at the start and avoided too much air flow during the voyage, you just need the final, yet all-important touch – desiccants that you can rely on and that will give you and your cargo a generous buffer. A top-quality, cost-effective desiccant solution from a trusted supplier (cough Absortech) means you can remove excess moisture from the air. And prevent the build-up of moisture to levels where it causes container rain and damage to goods.

Container rain

Container rain happens when containers experience temperature changes during shipment and you also have humid air and/or excess water in the container.

Which can mean the vast majority of shipments. But hopefully this has given you a good grasp of container rain and how to avoid it.

This article was written by the Absortech Group appearing in the May 2022 Moisture Magazine. For further insights check out the Absortech Group Moisture Magazine. Protection Experts Australia is the exclusive distributor of Absortech products throughout Australia.

Pro-Ex offer a range of shipping desiccants to help you manage the risks of container rain, making sure your goods arrive in the condition they left. Contact us today.

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Build Supply Chain Resilience

Building in Supply Chain Resilience

PUBLISHED BY ABSORTECH GROUP 21 JULY 2021

Building in supply chain resilience should be a business priority. Pressures on our supply chains, congestion, delays and rising costs are unfortunately a familiar challenge facing business today. The following article by Absortech Group discusses how businesses need to adapt by building in supply chain resilience. Disruptions will continue, how will you respond?

Container shortages, increased costs, congested ports, delays … the pandemic has put untold pressure on traders, shippers, planners and the customers and supply chains that rely on them. What’s more, it looks like we won’t be getting back to normal until mid-2022. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill to remove these headaches. But there is a way to ease some of the pain and reduce your exposure to risk – moisture protection you can really trust.

Imagine the situation: you’ve spent a lot of time and effort putting in the groundwork for the shipment of your valuable goods. You’ve got your hands on the containers you need, found the optimal sailing, negotiated the best deal and everything’s going exactly to plan. But then the ship can’t dock and your cargo spends days sitting there in hot and humid weather or with condensation pooling in the container. And even when the container finds land perhaps it joins at the end of another line waiting for the backlog to clear. At times like this, you don’t want to be sweating on whether your moisture protection measures can cope.

Get peace of mind

We believe that you should never have to worry about the risk and costs of moisture damage to your goods. Especially at a time like this when there are more difficult shipping challenges to focus on. But we’ve got you covered – our Absortech range of calcium chloride-based desiccants and moisture protection solutions gives you over 10 times the effectiveness of traditional silica-based alternatives. And we have the know-how to make implementation quick, cost-effective, hassle-free and always tailor-made for the goods you ship.

Switching to the future

We think you could do with a helping hand during this current shipping crisis. But we also know a switch now will pay off in the long run – and far beyond 2022. Not only does 10 times the performance help you better safeguard goods and deliveries, but it also means you can reduce the weight and cost of your moisture protection going forward. And, with a lower CO2 footprint all the way to fully carbon-neutral solutions, Absortech’s range helps you sustainably build for a brighter future and a new, better normal.

You haven’t got time to worry about optimal moisture damage prevention, but that’s pretty much all we think about. So just gives us a call – we’re here to help.

This article was written by the Absortech Group appearing in the July 2021 Moisture Magazine. For further insights check out the Absortech Group Moisture Magazine. Protection Experts Australia is the exclusive distributor of Absortech products throughout Australia.

Pro-Ex offer a range of shipping desiccants to help you make sure your supply chain remains resilient to disruptions. Contact us today.

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