Reefer or Refrigerated Containers
A reefer is a type of intermodal or shipping container used in the import, export or transport of freight or cargo where cold temperatures need to be maintained. They are rarely, if ever, used in the construction of shipping container homes.
In the shipping container industry, the reefer or refrigerated container sector is a very specialist area where utilization of the latest cooling technology is critical.
These days, few people are aware of the benefits that reefers have brought to society in general. Without such technology, the fresh produce that is exported around the world would not be a possibility.
Markets for tropical fruits, New Zealand lamb, Argentinian beef, for example, would be significantly smaller.
Many small countries, therefore, have come to depend upon the reefer container for a significant portion of their national income.
This can be provided from land-based electrical points, power from a container ship or from diesel generators attached to trucks on road journeys.
If a reefer container is located low down in a ship’s hull, some reefers will rely on a water cooling system. This is to ensure removal of the heat generated by the cooling device which is difficult to achieve in cargo holds.
Modern ships and vessels however, tend to have independent ventilation systems as water cooling systems can be expensive.
For maintaining the correct temperatures, advanced technologies have evolved which have now been harnessed by the world’s leading container companies.
Reefer Container Sizes
Intermodal container ISO codes are allocated to every standard sized 20 and 40 foot reefer.
More detailed information about all reefer internal and external sizes (both imperial and metric) are provided on other pages on this website:
- 10 reefer container dimensions
- 20 reefer container dimensions (ISO standard)
- 30 reefer container dimensions
- 40 reefer container dimensions (ISO standard)
- 45 reefer container dimensions (ISO standard)
- 48 reefer container dimensions (ISO standard, mainly US rail & road)
- 53 reefer container dimensions (ISO standard, mainly US rail & road)
High Cube Reefers
Given that reefer containers require extra space for temperature management devices, high cube reefers are sometimes used to gain extra capacity. They provide an extra foot of height inside the reefer.
For precise internal and external measurements, see high cube reefer container dimensions.
- 10 foot high cube reefer
- 20 foot high cube reefer (ISO standard)
- 30 foot high cube reefer
- 40 foot high cube reefer (ISO standard)
- 45 foot high cube reefer (ISO standard)
- 48 foot high cube reefer (ISO standard)
- 53 foot high cube reefer (ISO standard)
Reefer Container Parts
A number of additional accessories and reefer container parts are generally available allowing personalization of your intermodal container.