Reefer Containers: The answer to cold chain logistics

As consumer demands increase, so too do shipping containers and logistics technologies grow and innovate to cater to the needs of the industry.

The seaborne transportation segment, a method of transporting large amounts of goods using carrier ships, have been developing a new technology for cold chain logistics like reefer containers, to be able to transport items that require temperature control over long periods of time on the sea.

What is a reefer container?

A reefer container or refrigerated freight container, is a modified or engineered shipping container which can maintain a cargo’s temperature at a desired setting, whether to a cold degree or a warm degree.

Reefer containers have a built in refrigeration engine and insulated walls and is commonly used to transport items with a lower shelf-life and special flammable chemicals.

How do reefer containers work?

The built in cooling units are air circulated by two fans. Cold air circulates the bottom of the container while the warm air is fed back to the upper cooling unit. The temperature of the warmer air fed to the reefer unit is monitored so that the refrigeration unit can keep the cargo temperature at the desired set temperature. The reefer containers are built to allow ambient temperature to affect cargo and are noticeably marked white to allow solar radiation to evaporate.

Controlled Atmosphere Reefer Containers

All perishable items have their own special temperature requirements or special requirements in order to be kept fresh and safe. These innovative shipping containers are an innovative method of catering to the needs of more and more suppliers and consumer demands to transport highly perishable contents which allows the logistics market to expand their services.

The cold chain method can extend the shelf life of these products and slow the deterioration of quality in agricultural products which can widely benefit the market.

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