Reefer Containers and Refrigerated Shipments

General cargo containers are very useful when used in transportation of consumer goods that do not require special conditions.But some goods require special conditions. 

For example you can not carry fresh fruits with a general cargo containers from Brazil to European Union countries.The average transport time between a port of loading in Brazil to Port of discharge in Europe is 25-35 days.If you ship fresh fruits with a general cargo containers from Brazil to Europe, the cargo turns into trash and lost its economical value during the transportation.As a result you have to ship perishable goods via reefer or refrigerated containers.

Today I am going to explain the basics of reefer containers and refrigerated shipments. 

What is a reefer container?

Reefer containers or refrigerated containers are designed for transport of perishable goods in a temperature, humidity and atmosphere controlled environment.

What kind of goods should be shipped with reefer containers?

• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Frozen Vegetables and fruits
• Fresh Fish
• Frozen Fish
•  Other Foodstuff: Chilled and frozen meat, milk and dairy products, margarine, egg, juice and concentrate, chocolate, butter etc.

What are the key characteristics of a reefer container?

• They are designed to keep the temperature, humidity and atmosphere at a constant value during the transportation.
• Some of them can supply fresh air to the inner area during the carriage.
•   All of their walls are supported with polyurethane foam which is also known as a “sandwich-panel” to provide maximum insulation. 
• They are equipped with a compact-design compressor unit with air-cooled condenser, which can supply both cooling and heating interchangeably. 
• Temperature can be set to + 35°C to –35°C.

Important points of consideration when making refrigerated shipments

•  Refrigerated  shipments are expensive than dry cargo shipments as reefer containers require special equipment and they consume electricity from beginning to the end of the carriage.
•   Refrigerated containers are rare in numbers comparing to general purpose dry cargo containers.
• You have to be very careful especially on pick periods when everybody is rushing to ship their orders, because you may not be able to find a refrigerated container to load your cargo on time one of those tight time.
• Refrigerated containers have narrower internal dimensions comparing to dry containers. Be careful with the pallet loading numbers before giving any offer to your customer.
•  Not all reefer containers have the same specifications. Please try to understand your cargo requirements and type of refrigerated container that you may be in need of. Then contact local refrigerated transportation specialist of the carrier to get detailed information.
•  Do not stick with only one carrier. Try to reach all refrigerated container carriers that have services for your carriage.
•   Do not choose the cheapest option. You may loose thousands of dollars while trying to save couple of hundred dollars from the freight cost.
• Try to understand pros and cons of each carrier. Check container specifications, learn transit time and ask all questions in your mind to the reefer container customer service specialist.

Top reefer container carriers around the world

• CMA CGM
• ZIM
• Hamburg Süd
• Maersk
• Hapag-Lloyd
• Evergreen