How Does Reefer Containers Work? | LOTUS Containers

Approximately 90% of the entire world’s cargo is transported via shipping containers. The journey of a particular shipment depends on the transportation of goods from one location to its destination. For this journey, there are many different types of shipping containers that are used by shippers widely all over the world to ship their goods. One such container type is reefer containers.

Among different types of shipping containers used for freight forwarding, reefer container is one such type that makes the transportation of perishable products possible over long distances. The word reefer is the shortened version of 'refrigerator'. It works similar to the refrigerator at our homes. Just like we store fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat in refrigerators to be used for weeks, reefers are used in logistics and shipping lines to store temperature-sensitive products in bulk like vegetables, fruits, blood, organ, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.          

Reefer containers can also be referred to as refrigerated shipping containers or refrigerated storage containers as they can be used for both purposes. Simply put, a reefer container is a big fridge that is used to store or transport cargo that requires temperature control like perishable items like fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, seafood, etc. Some goods need to be shipped frozen or chilled, and reefer containers make that happen while maintaining the required temperature during transit.                    

Unlike insulated containers that can only retain temperature, a reefer has an inbuilt refrigeration unit that enables it to maintain temperature regardless of the temperature outside. They can maintain temperatures ranging from -35°C to +35°C. Reefer containers come in different container dimensions like 20 feet and 40 feet high cube variants.

Ever since the advent of reefer containers in 1960, they have incessantly evolved. Various improvements in technologies have made them more efficient and versatile. Reefers being the backbone for perishable products has led to the remarkable growth of seaborne trade for the past few years.

Why a standard container cannot be used as a refrigerated container?

Unlike reefers, a standard shipping container cannot retain temperature. This is because:

• Steel is a good conductor of heat. A rise in temperature outside affects the temperature inside.

• Rainwater or moist air outside makes its way to the interior of the container through spaces left around doors, roofs, or corners. Rainwater is then condensed in the presence of heat and damages the cargo inside.

• Since air is made up of small molecules, they find their way to the shipping container and impact the temperature inside. The hot air in summer enters the box and raises the internal temperature while cool air in winter lowers down the temperature inside the container.

How does a Reefer Container function?

• For a cargo container to be used as a refrigerated container, it must be first made airtight. The panels, roof, and doors should be insulated properly to prevent the passage of air molecules to the interior of the container.

• In addition to insulation, they are fitted with electric or diesel-based cooling/heating units. That is why, besides just cooling, they are also able to raise the temperature when required.

• The floor of reefers is designed in T-shape for uniform and consistent distribution of chilled air from the floor across the entire cargo properly.

• The inbuilt refrigeration unit helps to regulate moisture, humidity, temperature, and ventilation and makes them favorable for cargo shipments.

• The airflow requirement of each commodity is not the same and can vary diversely. For chilled cargo, the air is made to flow through the cargo at all times to remove the heat while for frozen cargo, the air is made to flow around the cargo to diminish the gap between the cargo and the walls and cargo itself.

• Stowing plays a vital role here. Cargo must be stowed based on their type (chilled or frozen). Stowage should allow the air to circulate properly as heat, water vapor, and other gases like CO2 produced during the transition can damage the cargo. Therefore, stowing should be done in such a manner that it allows the cool air to circulate through the entire package.

• Refrigerated units can maintain or lower the temperature of your shipment, even in the most difficult conditions.

An important thing to mention here is that reefer containers are designed to reduce the temperature of the cargo that is being transported in them. Their job is to maintain the pre-cooled temperature of the goods during transit.

LOTUS Containers is a shipping container supplier providing storage container solutions for over a decade. We offer superior quality reefer containers for the storage and transportation of cargo that need to be temperature controlled. With a decade long of experience, we have become experts in providing new and used containers that are suitable for your shipping requirements.

All you have to do is get in touch with us and we will take care of the rest for you.