Refrigerated containers, commonly known as reefer containers, are designed for transporting goods that require temperature control during shipping. These containers come with a refrigeration unit connected to the ship’s power supply.

Temperature: Standard reefer containers can maintain temperatures between +25°C and -25°C for chilled and frozen cargo. Some of the global reefer fleet can even maintain temperatures as low as -35°C or lower. Special containers, known as super freezers, can keep temperatures down to -70°C.

Non-operating reefers are refrigerated containers that function as dry boxes by deactivating the refrigeration unit during transit. This allows reefer containers to be redistributed from surplus areas to regions where they are in short supply, effectively utilizing otherwise empty space on a ship. There is often a price incentive for using NORs, although they offer less loading space compared to dry containers due to the space occupied by the refrigeration unit. However, not all dry cargoes are suitable for transport in a reefer container.