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What is a Reefer Container: All You Need to Know
27/08/2025
Reefer containers are a type of shipping container with refrigerated units integrated into their external structure.
But why are they important? The technology used on reefer containers, consisting of a microprocessor inside and an external unit enables perishable goods, or cargo which must be kept at a certain temperature, to be shipped worldwide. Without them, everything from the milk you put in your coffee, to the medications and pharmaceutical products you rely on, wouldn’t be available when needed.
Available as a Reefer 20' or Reefer 40’ HC, since their invention, reefer containers have been transporting your frozen or chilled cargo across the globe efficiently reducing food waste.
Cool Cargo: The History of Reefer Containers
The evolution didn’t stop there, and in 1877 Ferdinand Carré launched another refrigerated ship (Paraguay) with an improved refrigerating plant along the South America route.
Progress continued in 1879, when Henry and John Bell, and Joseph James Coleman completed the Bell-Coleman dense-air machine.
Cool Cargo: The History of Reefer Containers
The evolution didn’t stop there, and in 1877 Ferdinand Carré launched another refrigerated ship (Paraguay) with an improved refrigerating plant along the South America route.
Progress continued in 1879, when Henry and John Bell, and Joseph James Coleman completed the Bell-Coleman dense-air machine.
This was launched on Circassia, an anchor liner that successfully transported chilled beef cargo from the USA to London.
In 1880, a nine-week voyage covering 15,000 miles was completed by Strathleven. The ship was fitted with a Bell–Coleman air machine, and sailed from Melbourne to London carrying beef, mutton, butter and kegs.
The refrigerated process continued to evolve in 1881. After buying the Bell–Coleman dense-air patents in 1878, Alfred Seale Haslam equipped the Orient with Haslam refrigeration compressors. He would eventually go on to fit four hundred plants and ships with Bell-Coleman machines.
By 1890, and after acquiring the patent for the Franz Windhausen's CO2-compression refrigeration system the first marine CO2 refrigerator system was installed by the J & E Hall company on Highland Chief.
Just a decade later, and a global survey found that in 1900 there were 356 refrigerated ships worldwide. Statistics showed that to keep cargo cold, of these refrigerated ships:
- 37% were fitted with air machines
- 37% with ammonia compressions
- 25% with CO2 compressors
1900 also saw a huge growth in the amount of recorded edible cargo being transported worldwide. It was reported that Great Britain imported over 360,000 metric tons of refrigerated meat from Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. There were also weekly ‘banana boat’ sailings that shipped bananas from Central America to the UK on refrigerated boats.
A year later, and the ‘banana boats’ had developed when the first shipment equipped with a CO2 machine transported 23,000 stems of bananas at a controlled temperature from Jamaica to the UK. By 1902 the growing demand meant that the United Fruit Company started building refrigerated banana boats in the UK to transport passengers and cargo between ports in the United States and Central America.
In 1910, the British company J & E Hall had installed 1800 CO2 refrigeration machines in ships. In the same year UK refrigerated meat imports rose to 760,000 tons per year.
UK use of refrigerated ships continued to rise, as 230 refrigerated ships with a cargo capacity of 440,000 tons were recorded in 1935.
A year later, and the ‘banana boats’ had developed when the first shipment equipped with a CO2 machine transported 23,000 stems of bananas at a controlled temperature from Jamaica to the UK. By 1902 the growing demand meant that the United Fruit Company started building refrigerated banana boats in the UK to transport passengers and cargo between ports in the United States and Central America.
In 1910, the British company J & E Hall had installed 1800 CO2 refrigeration machines in ships. In the same year UK refrigerated meat imports rose to 760,000 tons per year.
UK use of refrigerated ships continued to rise, as 230 refrigerated ships with a cargo capacity of 440,000 tons were recorded in 1935.
Over the next 20 years, refrigerated imports in Britain expanded. In 1935 alone, 1,000,000 metric tons of meat, 500,000 tons of butter, 130,000 tons of cheese, 430,000 tons of apples and pears, and 20 million stems of bananas were transported to Britain using refrigerated shipping technology.
Did you Know?
By 1899, refrigerated fruit ship traffic to the US reached 90,000 tons per year.
Unlocking Cold Logistics: Defining Features of a Refrigerated Container
Designed to maintain specific temperatures, humidity, and atmospheric levels during transit, there are several key features of a reefer container:
Temperature
Reefer containers are built to maintain specific temperatures, not bring cargo down to a certain temperature. As such, pre-cooling your cargo is critical ahead of reefer shipping. All standard reefer containers can maintain a temperature between +25° C and -25° C, making them ideal for transporting both chilled and frozen cargo.
For specific cargo types that require even colder temperatures, there are some reefer containers that can maintain a temperature of -35° C or below, while special containers can maintain a temperature down to -70° C.
Ventilation
To create chilled temperatures, a constant airflow through the cargo is critical to ensure the removal of unwanted heat and gases, thereby helping to protect your cargo. Because of this, reefer containers are fitted with ventilation systems.
It’s important that airflow is continuous, however there should be no large gaps between the container, the walls and the cargo itself. Cargo should, therefore, be stowed in blocks during reefer shipping.
Humidity
Certain reefer products, such as specific types of fruits or vegetables require lower humidity levels during shipping. Each reefer unit used for temperature-controlled shipping is fitted with a dehumidification function that can lower the moisture levels in the air.
The standard levels of relative humidity are between 60% and 85% relative humidity (RH); however, some newer reefer units can reach 50%.
Drainage
In instances where excess water can appear, reefer containers are designed with a drainage system to remove the liquid and protect your cargo. These drains also prevent water or insects from accessing the container and harming your cargo.
Technology
Aside from the temperature and humidity control, reefer containers are also fitted with a microprocessor. This device, which records and stores data like supply and return air temperature, offers additional insight into your cargo’s temperature control throughout transportation. Not only is this data helpful within your overall supply chain, but also alerts you to any problems with your cargo while in transit, helping you to raise any issues that may impact the quality of your cargo.
The Transformative Impact of Reefer Containers on Global Shipping
Since the 19th century, the use of refrigerated shipping has been monumental, and modern reefer containers form a crucial part of global supply chains today. Despite this, there are some disadvantages, which must be considered, such as:
- Higher costs compared to standard containers due to advanced refrigeration systems.
- Increased energy consumption resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions during shipping.
- More limited availability compared to standard containers during peak times.
- The potential for longer journey times which can adversely affect product quality of chilled or frozen cargo.
However, global trade wouldn’t be in its current position without the many advantages of reefer containers, including:
Preserving the quality of fresh products over long periods of time
Enabling different populations to enjoy various types of perishable produce on a regular basis
Increasing the efficiency of transporting perishable goods through bulk transportation
Reducing costs and waste within your overall supply chain
Protecting delicate goods such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals during transportation
Ask MSC
At MSC our reefer cargo shipping solutions are supported by a team of reefer shipping experts, who will work with you to understand and optimize your overall supply chain, so you can continue to deliver the best quality cargo to your customers.
Our fleet is among the most modern in the world, and we invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology to transport your cargo securely and efficiently to its destination. We follow four highly standardized control procedures to optimize the cooling process including Cold Treatment (CT) and Controlled Atmosphere (CA).
Reach out to our experts today and find out more.
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