Setpoint, ventilation and pre-trip checks
The shipper gives the carrier the cargo's temperature setpoint when booking, and for chilled produce often a ventilation and humidity setting too. Before release, the depot runs a pre-trip inspection to confirm the unit works. Cargo should be pre-cooled to the setpoint, because a reefer is built to hold temperature, not to pull warm cargo down quickly. A wrong setpoint on the booking is a common cause of reefer claims.
Power gaps at every handoff
A reefer protects its cargo only while it has power. The risky moments are handoffs: gate in at origin, waiting in the yard, transshipment, discharge and the road leg, where it needs a plug or a generator set (genset). Terminals have a limited number of reefer plugs, so receiving windows for reefers can be tighter, and power is often billed while the box waits. A discharged reefer that sits unclaimed adds cost and cargo risk at the same time.
Temperature logs complete the picture
Movement milestones show where a reefer is, not how cold it is. The unit's controller records temperatures, carriers can usually download that log on request, and some lines offer remote monitoring during the voyage. If cargo arrives out of range, request the log and compare it with the milestones to see whether the change lines up with a handoff, such as a slow road leg after gate out.
Example
Frozen shrimp ships from Guayaquil in a 40 ft high cube reefer set to minus 18 degrees Celsius, and the trucker attaches a clip-on generator for the road leg to the importer's cold store.
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Questions
What does Reefer Container mean?
A reefer container is an insulated container with a built-in refrigeration unit that holds cargo at a set temperature, chilled or frozen, during transport. It needs electrical power from the ship, the terminal or a generator to keep running.
Can a reefer container carry dry cargo?
Yes. Carriers sometimes accept dry cargo in a reefer with the unit switched off, often called a non-operating reefer, especially where empty reefers need repositioning. Availability and terms vary by carrier and lane.
Are reefer containers always 40 ft high cubes?
No, but 40 ft high cube reefers are very common. Reefers also come in 20 ft and standard-height versions, and the booking should state which one the cargo needs.