Refrigerated containers and trailers can support chilled, frozen and other temperature-sensitive goods. Suitable equipment and handling depend on the product and route, so agree the requirements before booking.
What information should I provide?
Tell AJF the required carriage temperature and acceptable tolerances, product type, package sizes, total weight, origin, destination and dates. Provide any ventilation, humidity, handling or monitoring instructions supplied by the product owner or manufacturer. Goods with different requirements should not be treated as one compatible load without checking.
Can a reefer freeze warm goods?
Do not assume that transport refrigeration will cool or freeze goods to the required condition after loading. Agree the required product temperature at handover and arrange appropriate preparation before the shipment begins. The equipment's operating range is not a universal storage recommendation for every product.
See the carrier's reefer handling guidance on pre-cooling goods and respecting loading limits.
How should the load be prepared?
Use packaging suitable for the product, handling and journey. Agree the loading pattern with the operator so the cargo is secure and the equipment's airflow paths and load limits are respected. Avoid obstructing the circulation needed to maintain the specified conditions. Confirm any segregation or hygiene requirements for food and other sensitive cargo.
Hapag-Lloyd's cargo-handling guidance explains the importance of packaging and air circulation. Follow the booked operator's instructions for the actual unit and cargo.
Can different temperatures travel together?
Some equipment offers separate temperature zones, but this must be specifically booked and checked for the proposed products. An ordinary reefer should not be assumed to provide different conditions for incompatible cargoes.
What does a temperature setting tell me?
The refrigeration set point is an equipment instruction; it is not a direct measurement of every product in the load. Product temperatures can vary with their starting condition, packaging, airflow and handling. Agree any temperature-recording equipment, reporting and action on alarms before dispatch.
What happens at transfers or inspections?
Plan for collection, loading, terminal handling, power arrangements, border inspections and final delivery. Tell us about time-sensitive stages and any permitted periods outside controlled conditions. Agree the responsibilities and handover instructions for each stage of the journey.
AJF does not handle frozen airfreight shipments.
For refrigerated freight and current fish-import information, see our temperature-controlled shipping service. Contact AJF before booking so we can check the proposed arrangements.