Reefer container is short for the refrigerated container, also abbreviated as RF container. A refrigerated container is a shipping container that remains its cargo at a regulated, cool temperature. A reefer usually works at a temperature range of -30°C and +30°C and handles frozen, chilled, or cold goods.

Special refrigerated containers (super freezers) can maintain a temperature down to -70° C (further reading: Reefer operations - How to optimize efficiency and safety). Usually, a reefer has his refrigeration unit. This unit needs power to generate chilled airflow, maintaining the desired temperature and humidity.

How dose Reefer container work

As the refrigeration of the container is done by air, airflow is the most vital part of a reefer container. The generator blows cold air along the floor or side into the container on one side of the reefer. The floor is T-shaped and distributes the airflow below the cargo unobstructed.

As a result, the cold air ascends and returns on top of the load on the other end of the reefer container. That said, a reefer container maintains the pre-cooled temperature of the cargo, but it cannot reduce the temperature of the cargo! In other words: a load of a reefer container has to be brought to the desired temperature before loading.