GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026
Reefer Container
When temperature-sensitive cargo moves by sea, the reefer container is the standard solution: an ISO-compliant intermodal unit fitted with an active refrigeration system that continuously controls temperature and humidity throughout the voyage.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/temperature-controlled/
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Definition & Explanation
When temperature-sensitive cargo moves by sea, the reefer container is the standard solution: an ISO-compliant intermodal unit fitted with an active refrigeration system that continuously controls temperature and humidity throughout the voyage. On container vessels, reefer units plug into shipboard sockets (reefer plugs) that supply uninterrupted power to the refrigeration machinery. Deep-freeze cargo typically travels at around −25 °C, while fresh produce such as bananas or berries requires narrowly defined temperature windows just above freezing, sometimes combined with controlled-atmosphere technology to slow ripening. Unlike passive insulated containers, the reefer generates its own cooling—making it indispensable for long ocean transits. Modern units carry IoT sensors that stream condition data to carriers and shippers in real time, serving as documentation for food safety and pharmaceutical compliance audits.
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