Ever wondered how your favorite mangoes from India make it to your breakfast table in Canada, still fresh and delicious? Or how do life-saving vaccines travel across oceans without losing their potency? The answer lies in the quiet heroes of global trade: refrigerated shipping containers.
Forget worrying about weather, because refrigerated containers are built to guarantee a constant, ideal temperature for your cargo, no matter if it's scorching deserts or stormy seas. Refrigerated shipping containers play a crucial role in transporting perishable goods like fruits and vaccines across continents. These containers ensure that the freshness and potency of perishable items are preserved throughout their journey, from origin to destination. Whether it's tropical fruits or life-saving medicines, refrigerated containers maintain the optimal conditions needed to keep perishable goods safe and ready for consumption.
Now, let's dive deeper into the tech behind this chilling efficiency and how it brings the world to your plate.
How does a refrigerated shipping container work?
Refrigerated shipping containers operate on 3-phase power. The refrigeration unit draws cold air from the bottom of the container through a T-shaped duct. Cold air enters the reefer container through portholes and ducts, flows around the goods, and then exits through the top, going back to the refrigeration unit.
When you choose to buy a refrigerated shipping container, you need to take these factors into account:
- When shipping perishable goods, every detail matters. You need to keep an eye on the required temperature, humidity levels, adequate ventilation, and atmospheric conditions in the container throughout the transit to ensure the cargo remains fresh.
- If you are shipping frozen goods, then you will need a refrigerated shipping container with high-grade insulation that maintains low temperature levels. On the other hand, if you are transporting ready-to-cook foods, then you will need a fridge container that can maintain lower temperatures compared to those needed for frozen goods.
- If your business involves importing or exporting perishable goods by sea, you might need a larger refrigerated shipping container based on your goods requirements. The 40 foot high cube containers offer plenty of space for large and bulkier shipments and provide flexible loading options.
How to Keep Your Cargo Cold
Understanding Refrigerated Shipping Units
What They Are: Refrigerated shipping containers, also called reefers , are insulated containers designed to keep cargo cold during transportation.
How They Work: These containers use a refrigeration unit to circulate cool air, maintaining consistent temperatures inside and preventing spoilage or damage to goods.
The Benefits of Cooling Shelves
Keeping Goods Fresh: Cooling shelves, made of insulating materials, ensure that perishable items like food or flowers remain fresh during transit.
Choosing the Right Option
Considerations: When selecting cooling racks, factors such as container size, temperature range, insulation type, and cooling unit condition should be taken into account to meet specific cargo needs.
Different types of cryogenic shipping containers
The global marketplace thrives on the ability to deliver perishable goods across vast distances. But how do delicate fruits, life-saving vaccines, and temperature-sensitive materials reach their destinations fresh and potent? The answer lies in cryogenic shipping containers, the unsung heroes of refrigerated transport.
Today, we'll delve into the diverse world of these essential vessels, uncovering their features, types, and capabilities:
Refrigerated Sea Containers: The Basics
Cooling racks are indispensable in the shipping industry, facilitating the transportation of perishable goods over long distances. With several container options available, each with unique advantages and drawbacks, understanding the fundamentals of refrigerated shipping containers is essential for selecting the right fit for your needs.
Exploring Insulated Cargo Containers: Key Characteristics
Various types of cryogenic shipping containers are available, offering different features to meet your requirements. For instance, if temperature maintenance is crucial, a refrigerated container is necessary. These containers are equipped with insulation and cooling systems to preserve the coldness of your items.
Exploring types of chillers:
There are three types: insulated, thermal, and refrigerated. Insulated containers rely on layers of insulation; thermal ones use metal plates to remove heat; and refrigerated containers have built-in cooling units to keep cargo cold.
Reefers: Sizing
Reefer cargo containers are available in various sizes, about 20, 40, and 45-foot variants. In terms of marine shipping, the 40-foot-high cube containers are mainly used to ship perishable goods, such as vegetables, fruits, sea food, frozen food, meat, poultry, and dairy products.
While 20ft and 40ft are the most common, you can also find 10ft and 60ft options. These containers may be refrigerated or insulated, and some even offer a combination of both functionalities.
The 40-foot-high cube container comes with an exterior height of 9'6" that provides a larger loading volume by accommodating taller perishable cargo, utilizing space usage, and ensuring cost-efficient transport and storage. With a maximum door height of 8’5”, they can accommodate up to 26,300 kg.
The containers have a shelf life of 10 to 12 years and can be upgraded for further use. The reefer containers can maintain a consistent temperature to preserve the quality and freshness of the perishable goods during transit. These containers are well ventilated to circulate sufficient air and prevent moisture or food contamination.
Availability of Cryogenic Shipping Containers
Insulated cargo containers are offered in various sizes and types, including standard and refrigerated variants. Container size influences the available space for refrigeration. Moreover, the type of refrigeration system impacts both the price and availability of these containers.
Advantages of Refrigerated Shipping Containers
Temperature Regulation
Refrigerated shipping containers offer precise temperature control, ensuring that your cargo remains at the desired temperature throughout transit. Whether it's perishable food items or temperature-sensitive goods, these containers guarantee that your products arrive in optimal condition, and ready to eat upon arrival.
Loading and Stacking of Perishable Cargo
Methods of loading and stacking differ depending on the nature of your cargo, whether it is frozen or chilled. You need to pack your cargo carefully, ensuring that there are no gaps between the cargo and container walls to facilitate even airflow. Remember to follow block stacking principles to ensure uniform cold air circulation, helping to maintain the specific temperature throughout the container.
Protection from the Elements
Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, refrigerated containers shield your items from harsh environmental conditions. Their insulation maintains a consistent internal temperature, safeguarding your cargo against fluctuations in weather, be it scorching heat or freezing cold.
Cost Savings in Transportation
Utilizing cryogenic shipping containers can significantly reduce transportation expenses, particularly for businesses dealing with perishable goods. By keeping products cold during transit, businesses can mitigate the risk of spoilage and minimize associated costs.
Enhanced Product Quality
Refrigerated transport units play a vital role in preserving product integrity. By maintaining cold temperatures, these containers help prevent spoilage, ensuring that your products reach their destination in pristine condition. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also reduces product waste.
Refrigerated shipping containers serve as indispensable components of the global food supply chain, safeguarding merchandise and guaranteeing freshness upon arrival, ready to eat without compromising quality.
Conclusion
Refrigerated shipping containers are the unsung heroes of global trade, ensuring that perishable goods reach their destinations fresh and intact. From fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to vaccines, these containers maintain precise temperatures, protect against environmental extremes, and enhance product quality. They're essential for preserving freshness and promoting health in every shipment.
For reliable transportation of perishable agricultural products, choose Citrus Freight's refrigerated shipping containers. Whether you're exporting fruits or vegetables, our containers guarantee freshness and quality. Contact us today to explore our options and ensure your cargo stays cold and your business stays successful.