In today’s globalization, reefer containers marked a tremendous development allowing for more efficient and reliable handling of perishable goods from one port to another. In this blog, we will learn about the reefer temperature range and have an idea how to set temperature on reefer containers to preserve the quality of various perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables , sea food , frozen food , meat , poultry and dairy products .
What is a Reefer Container?
A reefer container is a specialized type of shipping container designed to maintain a consistent, cool temperature. It achieves this by combining insulation with a cooling system powered by electricity. This makes it ideal for transporting products that need specific temperature conditions. Think of it as a big refrigerator on the move. Reefer containers are capable of maintaining temperatures within a range, usually between -25°C and +30°C. They find application not only in transporting fresh produce but also play a crucial role in disaster management and various other scenarios where controlled cold storage is essential. These smart containers are outfitted with refrigeration units that sustain a specific reefer temperature range to retain the freshness and quality of the goods.
Composition of a reefer unit:
A reefer container consists of various components that work together to create a controlled environment for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo . At the front, there's a controller unit allowing adjustments to temperature, ventilation, and humidity settings tailored to specific cargo types.
Key Components of a Reefer Container:
1. Genset: This is the power source for the reefer unit. Usually, it's a dual-powered generator set that can run on fuel or the power unit on a ship. Gensets can be either clip-on, attached to the container's side, or underslung, placed on the chassis of a truck or another container.
2. Humidity Control: Essential for maintaining optimal conditions, humidity control ensures the right moisture levels for perishables, electronics, or pharmaceutical products.
3. Air Temperature Control: Reefer containers are typically air-cooled, though some can be water-cooled. They incorporate air cooler fans to remove heat, a compressor unit, a condenser to cool the air, and an evaporator to keep the cargo dry.
4. Controller Unit: Located at the front, the controller unit allows precise adjustments to temperature, ventilation, and humidity settings. It serves as the brain of the reefer container, ensuring that the cargo remains in the desired condition throughout the journey.
5. Power Plug Cable: Fitted with a cable, the reefer container can be plugged into a vessel, a terminal, or the genset on a truck. This cable ensures a continuous and reliable power supply to the container.
These components work in tandem, enabling reefer containers to maintain a temperature range of -20 to 30 degrees Celsius. This makes them well-suited for transporting goods that require a carefully controlled environment to preserve their quality during transit.
The steps to transport perishable goods in a reefer container are as follows:
Handling of Perishable Goods: The reefer temperature range enables the perishable foods to minimize the fungal growth and retain the quality. There are various factors, such as hygiene, pre-cooling, and storage temperature, to prevent food spoilage.
- Pre-Cooling: It is a must to pre-cool the perishable goods that helps to remove excess heat from the food and reduces high moisture levels.
- Cold-Chain Distribution: If you are shipping or seafood, you need to pre-cool the chilled perishable goods before loading into a reefer container. Make sure to maintain an appropriate reefer temperature range.
- Temperature fluctuations: While loading and unloading perishable goods, you need to remove the container’s plug. Remember to plug them in when the goods are ready to dispatch and disconnect after completing the unloading.
- Air-Circulation: Perishable goods need sufficient air inside the reefer container. The air should be circulated around the surroundings to keep the goods chilled. Proper storage prevents hotspots and keeps the temperature balanced throughout the transit.
- Choose the proper packaging: When it comes to shipping perishable goods, you need to use the best packaging method to keep your perishable goods fresh and intact. It is best to use insulated materials like boxes, coolers, or thermal bags to maintain the temperature. You can add gel packs or dry ice to stabilize it. You need to make sure that the packaging is leak-proof and label the package with the name of the specific product you are exporting so that your perishable cargo doesn't get lost or misplaced.
Benefits of Shipping Perishable Products Using Reefer Containers:
Choosing to ship perishable products via a reefer container offers several advantages:
1. Temperature Control: Reefer containers provide precise temperature control, ensuring that perishable goods remain at the required temperature throughout the journey. This is crucial for products like fruits, vegetables, and meats that can spoil if exposed to temperature variations.
2. Extended Shelf Life: The controlled environment inside a reefer container helps extend the shelf life of perishable products. This is beneficial for maintaining the freshness and quality of goods, reducing the risk of spoilage.
3. Versatility: Reefer containers are versatile and can accommodate a wide range of perishable items, from fruits and vegetables to pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive products.
4. Global Reach: Reefer containers facilitate the perishable export business throughout the globe to export various kinds of perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products, and more.
5. Reduced Spoilage and Waste: By maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels, reefer containers minimize the risk of spoilage during transit. This, in turn, helps reduce waste and ensures that a higher percentage of the shipped goods reach their destination in good condition.
6. Compliance with Regulations: Many perishable products are subject to strict regulations regarding temperature control during transportation. Using reefer containers helps businesses comply with these regulations, avoiding potential penalties and ensuring the integrity of the products.
7. Market Expansion: Reefer shipping enables businesses to expand their market reach by accessing consumers in different regions. This is particularly beneficial for industries that rely on the export of perishable goods.
8. Year-Round Availability: Reefer containers enable the year-round availability of seasonal and perishable products, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh produce even when it's out of season in their local region.
Best practices for Reefer Shipping: What to Do and What to Avoid
Reefer shipping has some important rules to make sure goods stay fresh and safe during the journey.
Here's what you should do and what to avoid:
Dos:
Pack Tight: Make sure the cargo is packed tightly and doesn't move around.
Right Temperature: Set the reefer at the right temperature and humidity for what you're shipping.
Pre-cool if needed: If necessary, cool down the cargo before putting it in the reefer.
Good Ventilation: Make sure there's enough air circulation and the settings are correct.
Get Insurance: It's a good idea to insure your cargo because reefers can have more issues than regular containers.
Don'ts:
Avoid overloading: Don't put cargo above the marked red line inside the container.
Don't Go Too Far: Keep the cargo within the marked T-floor area; don't go past it.
No Blocking Airflow: Avoid packing things too tightly so air can still move around.
Skip Pre-cooling Unnecessarily: If the reefer isn't in a cold place, don't cool it down before loading.
No Gaps: Make sure there are no gaps between pallets and the door.
And always, don't miss the shipping deadlines, especially for things that can go bad quickly. Following these simple rules helps keep your goods in good shape during reefer shipping.
Conclusion
Shipping perishable goods in a reefer container is a costly affair. You need to go for meticulous planning of proper methods such as proper pre-cooling of the perishable goods, sealed packaging, and good airflow. It is mandatory to abide by the international rules and food safety standards to export perishable goods across international borders.
For a reliable shipping partner, choose Citrus Freight . We offer competitive reefer containers for your global perishable goods shipping needs.