# Refrigerated container

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> When perishable cargo such as fish, meat, fruit, or pharmaceuticals moves by sea or road, the refrigerated container—known in the trade as a reefer—is the standard solution.

When perishable cargo such as fish, meat, fruit, or pharmaceuticals moves by sea or road, the refrigerated container—known in the trade as a reefer—is the standard solution. It is an ISO-standardised unit, predominantly in 20- or 40-foot format, with an independent refrigeration unit permanently built in. The freight forwarder sets the target temperature before loading; data loggers and remote monitoring record the temperature continuously throughout the entire transport chain. Unlike an insulated passive container, a reefer actively generates cold and maintains defined temperature ranges even under extreme ambient conditions. Operating costs—chiefly power consumption on board or via shore power at the terminal—are charged on top of standard container hire and must be itemised separately in the freight quotation.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BChlcontainer](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BChlcontainer)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Refrigerated container |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 118 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BChlcontainer |

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