What are Reefer Containers and What are They Used For?
A reefer container, short for refrigerated container, is a specialized shipping container designed to keep products at a specific temperature while they are being stored or transported. Think of it as a heavy-duty, mobile refrigerator that can move across highways, rail lines, and oceans without breaking the cold chain.
These containers are commonly used to move fresh produce and dairy, meat, poultry, fish, seafood, frozen foods, prepared meals, flowers, plants, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other temperature-sensitive products. In short, if a product needs to stay cold, chilled, or within a specific temperature range from the moment it leaves the supplier until it reaches the final destination, a reefer container is usually involved.
Because these goods often travel long distances before reaching the consumer, keeping them at a stable temperature is critical. Proper temperature control protects product quality, extends shelf life, and helps ensure safety by preventing spoilage and contamination throughout the journey.
How Reefer Containers Keep Things Cold (or Warm)
Reefer containers are built with insulated walls and a built-in refrigeration unit. Once you set the temperature, the unit works to keep the inside of the container within that range.
They can be:
- Plugged into power at ports, warehouses, and yards
- Powered by the ship while at sea
- Connected to clip-on generators during trucking
That means your container can stay “on” from the time it is loaded until the time it is unloaded, whether it is sitting still or moving.
At Transocean, our reefer containers are:
- Wind and watertight
- Fitted with secure, lockable doors
- Available both new and used
- Offered in standard 20-foot and 40-foot sizes
So you are getting something that works for shipping, storage, or both, depending on what you need.
Temperature Range and Airflow: Why They Matter
A Wide Temperature Range to Work With
Reefer containers can usually maintain temperatures from about -30°F up to 80°F. That gives you a lot of flexibility.
You can:
- Keep frozen foods rock solid at sub-zero temperatures
- Chill produce, beverages, or dairy
- Hold certain goods at slightly warmer but stable conditions
The unit constantly monitors and adjusts the temperature. It is not a simple “on or off” cooler. It is designed to stay in the range you choose, even in tough conditions.
Why Airflow Matters So Much
Temperature alone is not enough. If the air inside the container does not move correctly, you get hot spots or overly frozen sections.
Here is how airflow works inside a reefer:
- For frozen products, cold air circulates around, underneath, and up along the sides of the load, helping keep everything at a consistent temperature.
- For chilled goods, air is directed around and through the load as much as possible, which helps preserve freshness and reduces the risk of warm pockets.
This is one of the big reasons a true reefer container is more reliable than trying to cool a standard container with a portable unit.
Why Businesses Choose Reefer Containers
Portability and Flexibility
Reefer containers are built on the same footprint as standard shipping containers, so they can be moved and stacked with the same equipment. That makes them ideal when you need:
- Mobile cold storage at different sites
- Temporary refrigeration during remodels or expansions
- Seasonal storage for busy periods
- Short-term solutions for events or remote locations
You can position them almost anywhere you can set a container and provide power.
Cost Control and Reduced Waste
There is an initial cost to buying or leasing refrigerated containers, but the savings come from what you do not lose.
Reefer containers help you:
- Reduce spoilage and product loss
- Maintain quality and safety standards
- Extend shelf life
- Protect high-value inventory
Over time, the cost of a unit is often offset by fewer rejected loads, less waste, and more consistent product quality.
Who Uses Reefer Containers?
Reefer containers show up in far more places than just ports and ships. Here are some of the most common real-world uses.
Food and Hospitality
Businesses that handle food frequently run short on cold space, especially during peak seasons or large events. Reefer containers are a practical way to add capacity without building a new walk-in cooler.
They are ideal for:
- Restaurants and hotels with overflow needs
- Commercial kitchens during remodels
- Seasonal operations at fairs, festivals, and outdoor events
- Catering companies that need on-site refrigerated storage
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Many medical and pharmaceutical products must stay within a strict temperature range from the moment they are produced until they are administered.
Reefer containers are used for:
- Pharmaceutical storage
- Vaccines and temperature-controlled medications
- Medical, biomedical, and lab supplies
Because they can be monitored and locked, reefers are a secure and reliable choice for sensitive healthcare products.
Agriculture and Food Production
From the farm to the distribution center, temperature control affects quality and safety.
Common uses include:
- Produce storage at farms and packing facilities
- Meat processing and cold storage
- Seafood wholesale and distribution
- Food and beverage distribution hubs
Reefer containers allow producers and distributors to stage inventory closer to their operations while maintaining proper conditions.
Industrial and Specialized Uses
Some non-food products also require controlled environments to prevent damage or degradation.
Reefer containers are often used for:
- Floral industry storage and distribution
- Chemical supply and manufacturing where temperature stability is required
- Specialty materials and components that cannot be exposed to extreme heat or cold
In any situation where heat, cold, or humidity can damage your product, a reefer container becomes a practical piece of insurance.
Why Work With Transocean Equipment Management?
If your business depends on temperature-controlled products, not just any container will do. Partnering with an experienced provider ensures you get the right equipment and support.
Transocean Equipment Management offers:
- Wind and watertight refrigerated containers
- Secure, lockable doors to protect high-value inventory
- New and used units to match different budgets
- Standard 20-foot and 40-foot options
- Industry knowledge to help you choose the right solution for shipping or storage
Whether you need a single reefer for seasonal overflow or multiple units for ongoing operations, our team can walk you through the options and help you plan for power, placement, and usage.
Talk to Transocean About Reefer Containers
If you are storing or shipping temperature-sensitive products, relying on inconsistent refrigeration or hoping for mild weather is not a strategy. A reefer container gives you control over your environment from start to finish.
Do not wait for a spoiled load or rejected shipment to highlight the weak spots in your cold chain.
To discuss refrigerated containers, sizes, availability, and pricing, call Transocean Equipment Management. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
