Things you must know Before you Buy Refrigerated Shipping Container | LOTUS Containers

A chunk of thoughts keeps hitting your mind when you approach container suppliers to buy shipping containers. If you’re involved in shipping operations, especially international shipping by any means, you ought to have detailed knowledge of each container type and functionality. Refrigerated Containers are invented for the storage and shipping of goods that cannot be kept safely in standard shipping containers. 

Most people confuse them with insulated shipping containers, but they both are way different from one another. Let’s see in detail what they are and how they are different from others. 

Reefer reminds of the line once said by Professor Plato, “Necessity is the mother of invention”. Although the discovery of shipping containers by Malcolm McLean has brought about the biggest transformation, shipping of perishable and temperature-sensitive products was still one of the major issues confronted by shippers and vendors dealing with such products. And this necessity gave birth to the ubiquitous reefers. It was invented specifically to provide security and safeguard all types of perishable products including, food items, flowers, medicines, vaccines, photographic film, and whatnot.

How is it possible to safeguard perishable products?

The temperature inside the reefer container is maintained between -25degrees to +30 degrees Celsius. The chilled air is distributed with a T-shaped deck that helps in maintaining the temperature throughout the reefer. This T-shaped deck and other operations of reefers are operated through an external power supply. The generator is attached to aid the container with electricity supply. 

After looking at the work, let’s see the types of reefers.

What are the different types of reefers?

There are three different types of reefer to help the shippers transport various perishable items. 

• Closed Reefer: Closed reefers are a type of conventional reefer that has an inherent front wall. They come adorned with total automatic electric cooling and heating unit. 

• Modified Atmosphere/ Controlled Atmosphere Reefers: They maintain the balance between airflow and deterioration rate inside the container. They are fitted with an air-exchange system that keeps replacing the consumed oxygen to keep the same atmosphere throughout. 

• Automatic Fresh Air Management Reefer: It maintains the temperature of the shipping box by controlling the composition of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and other such gases. 

What are the dimensions of reefer containers?

The refrigerated shipping containers or reefers generally come in two different dimensions of 20ft and 40ft high cube. They are perfect for transporting huge perishable cargo to the destination without damaging them. The dimensions of both sizes are given below:

 20ft

Internal dimension	17’10” x 7’6” x 7’5”
External dimension	19’10” x 8’ x 8’6”
Door Opening	7’6” x 7’4”
Max gross weight	67200 pounds

 

40ft High Cube

Internal dimension	38’2” x 7’6” x 8’2”
External dimension	40’ x 8’ x 9’6”
Door Opening	7’6” x 8’3”
Max gross weight	67200 pounds

 

What are the benefits of refrigerated shipping containers?

There are various benefits of refrigerated shipping containers but some of them outstand others. Let’s see the points below that throw light on them. 

• Can carry frozen and chilled products

They are perfect for carrying frozen and chilled products as they maintain the temperature inside and don’t let them get rotten. 

• Do not need to be put into cold storage

The shipper doesn’t have to worry about keeping the merchandise in cold storage just after the arrival of cargo. As the temperature is maintained throughout the journey. 

• Available in various dimensions- 20ft and 40ft high cube

Being available in different dimensions of 20ft and 40ft high cube they can be sent to the destination by using intermodal transportation. 

• Can be partitioned into different compartments

They can be compartmentalized easily by maintaining different temperatures. So, the shippers can easily put frozen and chilled goods in the same box without a worry.

• Offer durability and strength

Being made of highly corrugated heavy-duty steel they can work for a longer time period with the same excellence. 

 • Prevent products from ripening

The shippers can now send the fruits, vegetables, or any such goods without taking the tension that they will get ripened in the journey and go to waste. 

• Extensively used in Bio Products Shipping

The pharmaceutical companies are using the shipping units more as they can transport the blood, organs, chemicals, medicines, vaccines, etc. safely and with ease. 

What are the things to consider before buying refrigerated shipping containers?

Dimension

Reefers generally come into two different dimensions- 20ft and 40ft high cube. They can accommodate huge cargoes over long distances. Based on the cargo volume, the shipper can determine the size of the reefer that meets the cargo needs.

Accommodation

Not every reefer has the same functionality. The refrigeration units that suit your one type of cargo (let say fruits) may not suit the other type of cargo. In such a case, you need to specify this to your container supplier and ask them for containers satisfying your product need.

Temperature Control

These boxes are fitted with electric or diesel cooling/heating machines which can maintain temperature ranging from -25°C to +30°C. So make sure if the product temperature lies in this range. Or you can ask your shipping container company to submit their substitutes.

Be Aware

Refrigerated containers require an understanding of temperature. It’s critical to be aware of the temperature-related terminologies and other information while dealing with refrigeration units. But with the help of an honest and proficient shipping container supplier, you can get what you need. 

Know your purpose

Before you jump into buying reefers; make some deep analysis like whether you should buy reefer containers or refrigerated storage containers based on your purpose. Whether you should lease it or purchase it. Buying does not go economical for short-term needs. If your work doesn’t require frequent shipping, better lease shipping container instead of buying them

Thus, we see that refrigerated shipping containers or reefers containers are the special types of shipping unit that is specially designed to transport perishable cargo that was not possible earlier with standard shipping containers. 

There are many shipping container suppliers who help the shippers by providing different types of shipping containers available in different container dimensions. From dry van containers, pallet-wide, tanker, and other various container types, they can help you get it all. You can buy a new container or get an old or used container for sale depending on your budget and needs.