Temperature & Humidity in Ocean Containers

The second stage is the actual time at sea or aboard a ship. This may or may not be the
longest stage during the container’s journey. During this stage, daily cycles of temperature and
humidity are usually very minor or completely non-existent. Temperature changes are gradual,
often occurring over days rather than hours. Occasionally, a single temperature/ humidity cycle
occurs as the ship makes stops along the route, however extreme conditions are rare. Figure 5
includes a slow temperature rise and fall as a winter route takes the ship near the equator and
then north to The Netherlands.
The final stage begins when the container is removed from the ship and continues until
the recorder is removed during the freight unloading process. This may include varying periods
of time spent in customs, on trains, on trucks, and in storage. Daily temperature and humidity
cycles are common and may be extreme.
Temperture F and Relative
Humidity %
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
Japan
Figure 5: Typical Winter Shipment
Japan to The Netherlands
Temperature
Relative Humidity
J
Ocean
10
-12
01-Dec-05 11-Dec-05 21-Dec-05 31-Dec-05 10-Jan-06
Date
Ocean Container Temperature and Humidity Study
Dave Leinberger – Dimensions.06
Netherlands
28
23
18
13
8
3
-2
-7
Temperature C