A reefer container (RF) carries goods requiring temperature-controlled conditions. It resembles a standard container but includes refrigeration equipment and insulation. Fresh products and some medicines may require this equipment. What should you consider when using it?
How a reefer container works
Reefers distribute cooled air from the floor through specially designed T-shaped channels, helping air circulate throughout the load space.
The refrigeration unit and insulated structure maintain the required conditions. The source describes a temperature range of −30°C to 30°C, accommodating products from vegetables to frozen goods.
Insulation reduces outside temperature effects, while sensors and automatic controls maintain the selected setting.
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Key considerations when using a reefer
A reefer is specialized equipment, so cargo preparation and loading require particular attention.
1.Precool the goods before loading
The unit is designed primarily to maintain cargo temperature rather than bring a warm load down to the required temperature. Bring goods to their specified shipping temperature before loading.
2.Arrange the cargo for its temperature requirements
Incorrect stowage reduces refrigeration effectiveness and can lead to damage.
The source distinguishes the following airflow arrangements:
Chilled goods, described as requiring temperatures from −5°C to above 0°C: Air needs to pass through the load. Suitable ventilation and spacing between packages are important.
Frozen goods: Air needs to circulate around the load. The article describes tightly stowed, enclosed packages for this category.
3.Allow for reduced usable internal dimensions
Refrigeration equipment and insulation reduce usable length, width, and height. Plan against the actual internal dimensions rather than the exterior size. The source's sentence about loading beyond the red line appears to omit a prohibition and requires review before operational use.
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Size examples for common reefer containers
Reefers come in sizes from 10 to 45 feet, with 20-foot and 40-foot units among the most common.
20-foot reefer
The exterior follows the standard 20-foot format. The source lists approximate dimensions of 2.59 m high, 6 m long, and 2.44 m wide, while describing usable length after refrigeration equipment as about 17 feet. These dimensions require checking against the equipment specification.
40-foot reefer
The exterior resembles a standard 40-foot container, but the interior is smaller. The source gives internal dimensions of approximately 11.58 m long, 2.29 m wide, and 2.22 m high, with usable length described as around 37 feet.
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40-foot high-cube reefer
The source again describes around 37 feet of usable length, with internal dimensions of approximately 11.57 m long, 2.29 m wide, and 2.52 m high.
These are the main reefer considerations discussed for cargo transportation. Because both equipment and cargo are specialized, temperature control must be maintained throughout the shipment.