Container Availability
Reefer (Refrigerated) Container
Quick answer: A reefer container is an insulated unit with its own cooling machinery that holds a set temperature range — commonly about −30 °C to +30 °C — instead of cooling cargo down. It suits perishables and pharmaceuticals, is typically 40ft high-cube size with about 67 m³ of space, and needs a 3-phase power connection.
A reefer is a refrigerated container with its own cooling machinery, built to hold a set temperature range rather than to cool cargo down. It suits perishables, pharmaceuticals and temperature-sensitive goods. Machinery takes internal space and needs a power source, so planning differs from a dry unit. Confirm all figures against the actual unit offered.
Typical specifications
Bottom line: Reefer capacity is really two figures: about 67 m³ of insulated space, minus what the machinery and airflow clearance take — plan the load around the actual unit’s stowage diagram.
Key figures: A typical reefer measures 12,192 mm long, 2,438 mm wide and about 2,896 mm high externally. The machinery reduces internal length to about 11,590 mm and capacity to roughly 67 m³. Temperature range is commonly about −30 °C to +30 °C; power is a 3-phase connection, with a genset for transport legs.
| Measure | Nominal value |
|---|---|
| External length | 12,192 mm (40ft HC typical) |
| External width | 2,438 mm |
| External height | ≈ 2,896 mm |
| Internal length | ≈ 11,590 mm (machinery reduces length) |
| Internal width | ≈ 2,286 mm |
| Internal height | ≈ 2,505 mm |
| Cubic capacity | ≈ 67 m³ |
| Temperature range | Commonly about −30 °C to +30 °C, machinery-dependent |
| Power | 3-phase connection; genset for transport legs |
Nominal ISO figures for planning only. The offered unit’s actual specification, tare and payload are confirmed against your enquiry, with photographs and documents where required.
Common uses
- Perishable food and agricultural exports
- Pharmaceutical and chemical movements with temperature limits
- Cold storage where a fixed facility is impractical
Condition options
Reefer condition covers the box and the machinery: ask for the machinery make and model, a temperature test record and the service history, alongside photographs of the interior, doors and floor. State the required temperature range and power arrangement at your site. See condition grades for the structure itself.
Related guidance
- Plan powered transport and genset requirements
- Cross-border reefer movements
- Send a reefer requirement
Inspection checklist before you buy
Photographs help, but check these points on the actual unit (in person or through an independent inspection) before you commit:
- Machinery make, model and a recent pre-trip inspection (PTI) record
- A run test reaching the required set point
- Interior panels and insulation free of punctures and delamination
- Door gaskets seal fully and drain plugs are in place
- Floor T-rails clean and undamaged so air circulates under the cargo
- For cargo use: a valid CSC plate and service history
The cargo-worthy vs wind & watertight guide and the CSC plate guide explain which documents matter for which use.
Buy or lease?
Buying suits long-term storage or a conversion you will keep. Leasing suits a fixed project or a short peak in demand, without resale risk at the end. The leasing vs buying guide compares the two, and you can request either option through the enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature can a reefer hold?
Most machinery holds roughly −30 °C to +30 °C, but the actual range depends on the specific unit and its condition. Confirm the required set point, and ask for a temperature test record for the offered equipment.
Does a reefer need a power connection?
Yes. The machinery runs on a 3-phase power supply at the site and a generator set (genset) during transport legs where no plug-in power exists. Define the power arrangement at each point in your enquiry.
How heavy is an empty reefer container?
A 40ft high-cube reefer typically weighs about 4,500 to 4,800 kg empty, because the insulation and refrigeration machinery add weight. Confirm the tare on the unit before planning lifting.
Can a reefer be used as cold storage on site?
Yes, if a suitable 3-phase power supply is available and the machinery is serviceable. Ask for a recent pre-trip inspection (PTI) record and plan for the unit to run continuously.