Reefer container
A reefer is a refrigerated container that holds a set temperature throughout the journey.
What is a reefer container?
A reefer is a container with its own refrigeration unit for goods that need a controlled temperature: food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, flowers. It maintains the set temperature for the whole journey.
It costs more than a standard container but keeps perishable and temperature-sensitive goods in condition. As the shipper you agree the temperature regime with us and, for chilled goods, pre-cool them before loading.
How it works in practice
A reefer holds a set temperature from −25 to +25 °C along the whole route, but must be plugged into power on the vessel, in port and on a truck with a generator. We book reefers for food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, agree the regime with the supplier (chilled goods must be pre-cooled before loading), monitor the temperature log and pass it to the consignee.
At the border such goods undergo veterinary or phytosanitary control, so we prepare the documents before arrival.
Reefer containers: frequently asked questions
Which goods travel in reefer containers?
Food and drink, fruit and vegetables, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, flowers, and some chemical components that are sensitive to heat or frost. For goods with a narrow temperature range, a container with precise control and ventilation is chosen.
How much more does a reefer cost than a standard container?
Freight is 1.5–2 times higher, plus charges for power connection in ports and for a generator on the road leg. For small consignments a refrigerated groupage truck from Europe is more economical.
What if the temperature is not maintained in transit?
The data logger records are the basis for a claim against the shipping line or carrier. That is why we arrange insurance covering spoilage from temperature deviation and read the logger at unloading in the presence of the consignee.
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