Reefer Cargo Guidelines and Preparing Your Shipment

Reefer Cargo Guidelines and Preparing Your Shipment

February 4, 2020

When you’re shipping fruits, vegetables and other goods that need to be refrigerated on a long journey, it’s important that you pack the cargo container to maximize its cooling abilities. Unlike packing things in a suitcase, you can’t just jam a bunch of boxes into a cargo container and call it a day. There’s actually a method to the madness, which helps your goods stay cool and undamaged during their trip.

Here are guidelines and tips for effective reefer cargo preparation in North Charleston, SC:

  • Pre-cooling the cargo: Each reefer shipping container comes with a refrigeration unit that helps keep the goods cold during the journey from Point A to Point B. With that in mind, it wouldn’t make sense for you to stuff room temperature (or warmer) cargo in the cooling unit—it will cause your unit to work overtime and may affect the quality of the goods during travel. To combat this, you should pre-cool the cargo to the shipping temperature before you pack.
  • Prepping the container: Next, you’ll need to prepare the container itself. Make sure that the container has been set to the desired temperature, and that the vents are open (this allows gases to escape which would otherwise affect the cargo’s freshness). Switch off the machinery before you start packing to reduce condensation.
  • Cargo stuffing: Packing your reefer cargo properly is key to making sure that it arrives cool and undamaged. It’s important that you have a stuffing plan in place before you start moving cargo, since it can affect the cargo’s temperature—and since you’ve pre-cooled it, you won’t want to lose that time or effort. The most important thing to remember is that you want to evenly distribute the cargo both horizontally and vertically, while leaving some space for airflow. That means if you can’t fill the entire container, you’ll need to use spacers or filler so that the boxes don’t collapse into the empty space upon shipping. You should pack semi-empty containers with the cargo closest to the refrigeration unit. Never overstuff the container, as the airflow is necessary for keeping the entire container cool.
  • Pallets and spacers: You can also use pallets and spacers to promote stability and air flow. Be sure to pick pallets that can withstand the weight of the entire stack, and follow the above guidelines to pack the space efficiently.

With a little careful preparation, you can maximize your cargo’s chances of getting to its destination perfectly safe and cool.

Reefer cargo preparation in North Charleston, SC

If you have additional questions about reefer cargo guidelines in North Charleston, SC, be sure to contact the team at All Points Transport. We are your local shipping experts, whether you need reefer shipping, hazmat shipping or port drayage. Our company offers a full range of commercial and industrial shipping services so that all you have to worry about is deciding where and when you’d like your goods to be delivered. Let us help you haul—give us a cal today!

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