What stainless? How was it fabricated and finished?
What is the environment?
The first step is always chemical passivation. Before it goes into service and before there is any corrosion. Passivation will remove traces of Fe from the surface that came from tools and handling. Often rust staining is no more than these spots corroding, but they can serve as sites for pitting to initiate also.
Neither 304 or 316 can be expected to survive unprotected ocean shipment.
They must be fully protected, and even then I would not be surprised by some superficial corrosion.
daisypl, is your corrosion due to contamination with iron or carbon steel during the manufacturing process?
If so, you need to improve the processes taking care to prevent the contamination. Segregate the work. Use only new or segregated grinding wheels, wire brushes, drill bits etc. Cover plate rolls, forming tools, jigs, etc. with carpet, or use stainless tooling, and so forth. Then pickle and passivate.
Regards,
Mike
The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
My experience 40 years ago: After hydraulic test the vessel was drained over entire night. In the morning pitting was found in 100% surface.
Be careful with the quality of water during hydraulic test.
Your pressure vessel was inspected inside prior shiping ?