Reefer Cargo or refrigerated shipping refers to refrigerated ships and refrigerated shipping containers that transport perishable goods by sea. Refrigerated shipping or Reefer Cargo is used for perishable materials such as fruits, meat, fish, vegetables, dairy products, flowers, medicines, concentrated juices, and chocolate. In other words, Reefer Cargo is the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods. Long distances in refrigerated containers.
A reefer ship is a container ship that carries exclusively refrigerated containers, but reefer ships differ from traditional container ships in terms of size, design, power generation, and electricity distribution equipment.
The main difference is that they are smaller and require power to be supplied to each container’s own refrigeration system, so reefer containers are equipped with a refrigeration unit connected to the onboard power supply.
While refrigerated containers pose a challenge to transport companies and ports, requiring high operating costs and regular maintenance, the refrigerated shipping (Reefer Cargo) market is growing at a rapid rate.
Methods of dividing Reefer Cargo into refrigerated containers:
Goods shipped in refrigerated containers are divided into refrigerated, frozen and special goods
1-Refrigerated goods
Reefer Cargo mostly include fresh fruits and vegetables (especially bananas and pineapples), fresh meat and seafood, eggs, fresh juices, milk and dairy products, sweets, and flowers, i.e. goods that must be transported at temperatures below the freezing point. Reefer containers can automatically control cooling using their supply air sensor. They are able to detect and change temperature.
These goods must have uniform air flow through the load, and the air must be able to circulate through the package and over the product in order to remove the heat of maturation, carbon dioxide and C2H4 (ethylene), and regenerate oxygen.
The amount of air depends on the product’s breathing level and its ability to withstand low oxygen and high carbon dioxide and ethylene levels. Cartons should be stacked on top of each other with the holes aligned so air can circulate freely throughout the load. Any material that could block air flow should be removed.
This method keeps goods fresh for up to two to three times longer compared to other methods. Atmosphere control technology uses computer systems to monitor and control the atmosphere composition of the container.
One of the benefits of refrigerated transportation is the elimination of fruit flies, their larvae, or their eggs. This is done by keeping the load at a low temperature for a specified period and preserves the goods without resorting to the use of chemicals.
2-Frozen goods
Frozen goods are goods that must be shipped and stored at a temperature below -20°C, such as some goods with a high fat content, such as ice cream.
It is important to know the local regulations regarding the temperature of transporting some frozen goods, which may differ from one country to another.
Frozen loads should be stacked so that there are no gaps between packages and there should be no holes in the package. Air must be able to flow over the load and dissipate any heat that may have entered the refrigerated container. Here ventilation is not required because the goods do not breathe like candy. And medicines or any frozen goods.
Frozen goods mostly include frozen meat and seafood, frozen fruit concentrates, frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen prepared foods, and ice cream.
3-Special goods
Special goods are not food products but are goods that require protection from temperature and/or humidity during transport. That is, they are goods that need to be treated with the utmost care. These include, for example, medicines, medical care products, tobacco products, chemicals, film and photo equipment, or sensitive industrial products.
Correct handling methods for goods shipped in refrigerated containers
Proper handling of the product is crucial. From hygiene and pre-cooling to stowage and storage temperature many factors affect the shelf life of products.
- Pre-cooling of goods is essential. It quickly removes heat from goods and reduces the rate of water loss for many perishable items. It is necessary to know the appropriate cooling for each item and know the recommended temperature before loading it into the container.
- The product must be kept refrigerated or frozen until it reaches the consumer in this case. This distribution cycle is called the cold chain.
- Refrigerated containers must be delivered as soon as they arrive on board the ship, and separation and unloading take place as late as possible in order to avoid temperature fluctuations during loading and unloading due to the lack of necessary refrigeration.
- When transporting internally, sets of generators are used, which are portable power sources used to generate electricity to maintain the necessary cooling of the goods.
- Internal air circulation is necessary to maintain the set temperature in the refrigerated container. As such, air is constantly directed over the load space. Load stowage must ensure that air can move freely over the load.
- The shelf life of each commodity must be known, as well as its temperature, ventilation, humidity and drainage requirements, the type of packaging, the type of packaging and the nature of the product itself in order to ensure the maintenance of optimal quality during transportation, as all of these are factors that affect the quality of the product.
If you would like to ship your goods in a refrigerated container, do not hesitate to contact us, our refrigeration experts around the world will support you in this matter.