GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Portable Data Loggers for Reefer Cargo

A portable data logger for reefer cargo produces an unbroken, timestamped record of conditions inside a refrigerated container or vehicle from the point of loading to final delivery.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_logger

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

A portable data logger for reefer cargo produces an unbroken, timestamped record of conditions inside a refrigerated container or vehicle from the point of loading to final delivery. Activated before departure, the compact battery-powered device stores temperature, humidity, and sometimes shock readings at fixed intervals – typically every 15 or 30 minutes – entirely on-board. On arrival, the log is downloaded via USB, Bluetooth, or NFC and serves as documentary proof of cold chain integrity throughout the journey. For pharmaceutical shipments, this record is a regulatory requirement under GDP guidelines; for food exports to the US market, FSMA sets equivalent standards. Unlike connected IoT sensors, a conventional data logger does not transmit readings in real time – the data remains stored locally until the device is physically retrieved and read out.