What are Reefer Containers?

Reefer containers (refrigerated containers) are temperature-controlled shipping containers that keep perishable goods, such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, flowers and pharmaceuticals, chilled or frozen from origin to destination.

How a reefer container works

Each reefer has its own refrigeration unit and needs a power supply, from a terminal, a ship, a generator set (genset) or the tractor unit on the road. A built-in microprocessor logs supply and return air temperature, set-point changes and defrost cycles. Four factors decide whether the cargo arrives in condition: temperature, ventilation, humidity and drainage.

Temperature settings and typical cargo

Standard reefers hold roughly +25 °C down to -25 °C (special units go lower). Typical settings:

Reefer containers in road transport

On the road, a reefer travels on a container chassis behind an articulated truck, like a standard container. Running the cooling unit adds fuel use and has to be documented continuously, which makes refrigerated transport more planning- and cost-intensive than dry freight.