"As the logistics landscape evolves, the efficiency of reefer containers remains paramount for maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive cargo."
Joel Reyes, Head of Professional Services Americas
Reefer containers play a vital role in the global supply chain. They carry food, medicines, and electronics wherever needed. Designed to carry such temperature-sensitive goods, reefers are undoubted one of the essential container types out there.
Reefer container is short for the refrigerated container, also abbreviated as RF container. A refrigerated container is a shipping container that remains its cargo at a regulated, cool temperature. A reefer usually works at a temperature range of -30°C and +30°C and handles frozen, chilled, or cold goods. Special refrigerated containers (super freezers) can maintain a temperature down to -70° C (further reading: Reefer operations - How to optimize efficiency and safety).
Usually, a reefer has his refrigeration unit. This unit needs power to generate chilled airflow, maintaining the desired temperature and humidity.
Learn how real-time reefer information impacts safety and productivity in container terminals.
As the refrigeration of the container is done by air, airflow is the most vital part of a reefer container. The generator blows cold air along the floor or side into the container on one side of the reefer. The floor is T-shaped and distributes the airflow below the cargo unobstructed. As a result, the cold air ascends and returns on top of the load on the other end of the reefer container. That said, a reefer container maintains the pre-cooled temperature of the cargo, but it cannot reduce the temperature of the cargo! In other words: a load of a reefer container has to be brought to the desired temperature before loading.
A generator provides the necessary power to create the airflow which is needed for the refrigeration unit to work. One type of reefer is connected to power sources (for instance, on vessels). Still, very sensitive cargo may need a backup power source when disconnected (for example, in a container terminal). The best idea is to equip a reefer with its genset. Gensets can be built directly into the container, which means that special chassis with gensets or other logistics arrangements for clip-on gensets are unnecessary.
Ventilation is another vital aspect of a refrigerated shipping container besides controlling temperature. Fruits, vegetables, and plants release C02, water, heat, and ethylene. Not removing these can spoil the cargo by causing uncontrolled ripening, ageing, and altering flavour. Therefore, reefers are kept ventilated by fresh air.
Additionally, humidity plays also an essential role in keeping cargo safe. A dehumidification setup maintains the correct levels of moisture in a reefer. Keep in mind that different cargo needs different humidity levels. Although some newer units can reach 50%, the standard is between 60% and 85% relative humidity (RH).
To control power (check: reefer plugs), temperature, C02 levels and humidity, microprocessors (data loggers) register and transmit data continuously with the help of remote modems. This device stores all data, such as supply air and return air temperature, remote cargo probe temperatures, defrost activity, changes to the setpoint, power on and off time, etc.
Completing the technical reefer container functionalities, a built-in drainage system gets rid of excess water in case of water accumulation. In addition, their design prevents water or insects from getting into the container.
(Further reading: Reefer productivity)
The main components (besides the genset) include:
A variety of reefer shipping containers may have additional features such as remote reefer monitoring or specially constructed frames to prevent explosion when transporting sensitive materials.
Reefer containers come in different measures and specifications. Most of them are manufactured according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. Nevertheless, some reefer specifications may vary depending on the manufacturer and container age.
| Measurement | 20ft Reefer | 40ft Reefer | 40 High Cube Reefer |
| Internal length | 17.9 ft / 5.44 m | 37.9 ft / 11.56 m | 38.0 ft / 11.59 m |
| Internal width | 7.5 ft / 2.29 m | 7.5 ft / 2.28 m | 7.5 ft / 2.285 m |
| Internal height | 7.5 ft / 2.27 m | 7.4 ft / 2.25 m | 7.9 ft / 2.40 m |
| Tare weight | 3,080 kg / 6,790 lbs | 4,800 kg / 10,584 lbs | 4,600 kg / 9,880 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 27,400 kg / 60,417 lbs | 27,700 kg / 61,079 lbs | 29,500 kg / 65,036 lbs |
| Cubic capacity | 999 cu ft / 28.3 m³ | 2,093.3 cu ft / 59.3 m³ | 2,366 cu ft / 67.0 m³ |
A reefer may have a particular cubic and payload capacity. Still, due to airflow, a reefer container cannot be packed to utilize all the space like a dry container.
Inside a refrigerated container, goods should not hang over pallets to allow proper air movement. The boxes should have vent holes to enable vertical airflow from the bottom of the container. Align all vents in boxes to maintain air moving as smoothly as possible. Allow air to move between the roof and the top of the boxes.
Different goods have different needs; they must be stowed differently to ensure constant airflow. With chilled cargo, air must flow through it as it will remove heat and gasses. Ventilation is vital here. Frozen goods must be stacked next to each other to have no gaps between the cargo and the walls. This blocking of airflow helps the foods keep a low temperature. Otherwise, the cargo's texture, taste, and quality may get altered.
As mentioned above, it is crucial to pre-cool goods before they are loaded into the reefer container. To do so, it's optimal to use a dedicated cooling facility as it is more feasible and energy-efficient to pre-cool the goods than to pre-cool the reefer. If you pre-cool the reefer container, warm and moist air from outside will enter the reefer and cause excess development of moisture and unnecessary defrost cycles, further reducing the ability of the reefer container to cool the product efficiently after loading.
Learn how automated monitoring of refrigerated reefer containers results in fewer claims.
Anyone purchasing refrigerated containers must know the features that ensure optimal cargo conditions. One of the most important aspects to consider is the quality of insulation.
High-quality insulation is a must. It helps maintain interior conditions by preventing outside temperatures from affecting the environment. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation performance and, thus, the energy efficiency.
The "R" in the R-value stands for "resistance." It quantifies a material's ability to resist heat transfer and is affected by factors such as material type, thickness, and density. The value is defined as the ratio of the temperature difference (in degrees Fahrenheit) across the material to the heat transfer rate (in BTUs per hour).
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a unit of measurement for thermal energy. The unit represents the energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water at sea level by one degree Fahrenheit.
Refrigerated container insulation is usually made of materials such as polyurethane foam or fibreglass, but the materials are often used in combination.
Polyurethane foam is known for its excellent thermal insulation properties. It can conform well to different shapes and sizes, while its lightweight and volume allow for compact designs. Polyurethane foam can be injected into doors, panels, and seals. It is often used in corner panels to effectively eliminate thermal bridges and thus improve overall performance.
Fiberglass also has excellent thermal insulation properties, and its corrosion resistance makes it ideal for harsh environments. The material is very durable and can withstand temperature fluctuations well. It is also lightweight and helps to keep fuel consumption low during transportation. Fiberglass can be shaped to suit individual designs.
Reefer containers are critical in the global supply chain, ensuring the safe transportation of temperature-sensitive goods like food, medicine, and electronics. These refrigerated containers maintain temperatures between -30°C to +30°C, relying on a generator to power airflow, which keeps cargo at a consistent pre-cooled temperature. Proper ventilation and humidity control prevent spoilage, while insulation quality is vital to energy efficiency. Reefer containers are equipped with microprocessors to monitor and log key data like temperature and humidity. Proper stowing techniques are essential to maintain airflow and preserve the quality of different cargo types, ensuring efficient and safe transport.
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Note: This article was updated on the 22nd of October 2024