What is the main difference between a 20-foot and a 40-foot refrigerated container?

The 20-foot (20' RF) is more compact and is often used for heavier cargo (frozen meat). The 40-foot High Cube (40' RH) has increased height and volume, making it the standard for transporting palletized fruits, vegetables, and lightweight bulky goods.

What is a PTI inspection for a reefer, and is it mandatory?

PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) is a pre-trip technical check. For refrigerated containers, it is strictly mandatory. It confirms that the compressor, defrost system, and sensors are functioning correctly. MyContainers provides a PTI certificate for every reefer we lease or sell.

Do I need a genset for a refrigerated container during road transport?

Yes. A refrigerated container does not have its own power source. On a ship or at a terminal, it is plugged into a socket (clip-on). For road or rail transport, you must use a diesel generator set (genset), which we also provide for lease.

Can I lease a refrigerated container one-way (One-Way Lease)?

Yes, we provide this service. It is especially cost-effective when importing fruits or exporting frozen products, as it saves you from paying for the return empty haul of expensive equipment.

What temperature range do your refrigerated containers support?

Standard units (e.g., Carrier or Thermo King) support a range from -30°C to +30°C with an accuracy of up to 0.1°C.

What is a T-bar floor and why is it needed?

These are aluminum rails on the container floor. They elevate the cargo above the floor, ensuring unobstructed circulation of cold air under the pallets, which guarantees even cooling throughout the entire volume.

How does CA (Controlled Atmosphere) technology differ from standard ventilation?

Standard ventilation simply refreshes the air by removing ethylene. CA technology actively manages the chemical composition of the air inside the chamber (lowering O₂ and raising CO₂), which puts the produce into a "dormant state" and significantly extends its shelf life.

Can I use a refrigerated container as a regular dry warehouse (without turning on the cooling)?

Technically yes, but it is not cost-effective. Reefers have less internal volume due to the thick insulation and are more expensive to lease or buy. For storage without temperature control, it is better to use standard dry containers (DC/HC).

How is a refrigerated container cleaned before loading new cargo?

Before release, we perform professional washing and steam or chemical disinfection of the chamber, removing odors and residues from the previous cargo. Upon request, we provide a Cleanliness Certificate, which is critical for food and pharmaceutical cargo.

What happens if the reefer breaks down in transit?

When leasing through MyContainers, you get 24/7 technical support. In case of a breakdown, we promptly organize repairs at the nearest authorized service center or provide replacement equipment, minimizing downtime for your cargo.

Is special calibration required for transporting pharmaceuticals?

Yes. For pharmaceutical cargo (under GDP standards), not only a PTI but also a valid calibration certificate for temperature sensors issued by an accredited laboratory is required. We provide such containers upon prior request.

How much electricity does a refrigerated container consume?

On average, 3 to 8 kWh, depending on the set temperature, the difference with the ambient temperature, and the frequency of defrost cycles. When leasing a genset, diesel fuel consumption is approximately 1.5–3 liters per hour.

Can I buy a used refrigerated container in CW condition?

Yes. We sell reefers in Cargo Worthy (CW) condition. They are fully airtight and functional but may have cosmetic wear and tear. Before sale, they are mandatorily checked for operational functionality.

In which cities in Russia and the CIS can I lease or buy a reefer?

We maintain a reefer fleet in key hubs: Vladivostok, Novorossiysk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, as well as in Chinese ports (Shanghai, Nansha) and CIS terminals (Almaty, Minsk).

How do I book a refrigerated container with a genset?

Submit a request on the MyContainers website, specifying the cargo type, required temperature regime, route, and dates. Our manager will select the equipment, confirm genset availability, and send you the contract and invoice within 2 hours.

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Refrigerated Containers Overview: How to Choose, Key Differences, and Leasing Terms from MyContainers

A comprehensive guide to refrigerated containers (20' and 40' HC). Temperature regimes, CA technology, PTI inspection, and leasing/sales terms with a genset.

Refrigerated Containers Overview: How to Choose, Key Differences, and Leasing Terms

Transporting perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals requires flawless adherence to temperature regimes. A mistake in choosing the right equipment or assessing its technical condition can lead to the loss of the entire cargo and millions in damages.

A refrigerated container (or "reefer" in industry jargon) is not just a "refrigerator on wheels." It is a highly technological, insulated chamber with its own climate control unit. Since 2020, MyContainers has been supplying and leasing verified refrigerated equipment worldwide. In this guide, we will break down how to choose the perfect reefer for your specific needs.

1. Main Types and Dimensions of Refrigerated Containers

The market offers two main standard sizes. The choice between them depends on the cargo volume and logistics requirements.

Feature	20' RF (20-Foot Reefer)	40' RH / HC RF (40-Foot High Cube Reefer)
External Dimensions (L×W×H)	6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m	12.03 × 2.44 × 2.90 m
Internal Volume	~28.4 m³	~67.0 m³
Max Payload	~27,800 kg	~29,600 kg
Temperature Range	-30°C to +30°C	-30°C to +30°C
Design Features	Compact; ideal for heavy cargo (frozen meat, fish)	Increased height and volume; ideal for bulky cargo and pallets (fruits, vegetables)
Floor Type	T-bar aluminum floor for bottom air circulation	T-bar aluminum floor

Important: The abbreviation RH (Reefer High Cube) or HR is used specifically for 40-foot high-cube refrigerated containers to distinguish them from standard dry HC containers.

2. Advanced Technologies: How Modern Reefers Differ

Not all refrigerated containers are created equal. For specific cargo types, standard cooling is simply not enough. MyContainers provides equipment with advanced optional features:

Standard Cooling/Heating: Maintains a set temperature and humidity level. Ideal for frozen meat, fish, and ice cream.
Fresh Air Ventilation: Allows you to regulate the intake of fresh air (in cubic meters per hour) to remove ethylene and CO₂. This is critical for fresh fruits and vegetables (bananas, citrus, avocados) so they can "breathe" and avoid overripening in transit.
Controlled Atmosphere (CA): The gold standard. This system automatically adjusts oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels inside the chamber, slowing down the ripening process. It allows fruits to be shipped by sea instead of using expensive air freight.
Modified Atmosphere (MA): A simplified version of CA, where the gas environment is created once during loading (often used in conjunction with MA liners/bags inside the boxes).

3. How to Choose a Refrigerated Container for Your Cargo

Cargo Type	Recommended Container	Temperature Regime	Key Requirement
Frozen meat, fish, ice cream	20' RF or 40' RH	-18°C to -25°C	Airtightness, temperature stability, functioning compressor
Fresh fruits and vegetables	40' RH	+2°C to +13°C	Fresh Air Ventilation or CA capability
Pharmaceuticals, vaccines	20' RF or 40' RH (with calibration)	+2°C to +8°C	Valid sensor calibration certificate, PTI protocol
Chocolate, cosmetics, wine	40' RH	+12°C to +18°C	Stable temperature without sharp fluctuations, moisture protection
Chemicals	20' RF or 40' RH	Depends on MSDS	Special chamber cleaning, no residual odors from previous cargo

4. The Critical Importance of PTI Inspection (Pre-Trip Inspection)

Buying or leasing a reefer "blind" is unacceptable. A PTI inspection is a mandatory pre-trip technical check that MyContainers conducts before every equipment release.

What is included in our PTI checklist:

Visual Inspection: Checking the integrity of the insulation, door seals (gaskets), and the T-bar floor.
Unit Check: Starting the compressor, checking oil and refrigerant levels.
Load Test: Verifying the unit's ability to reach and maintain the set temperature (Pull-down test).
Calibration: Comparing temperature sensor readings against reference instruments.
Documentation: Issuing a PTI certificate and, if required, a calibration report.

Without a successful PTI, we do not allow the container to be shipped.

5. MyContainers Services for Reefer Fleets

We cover the full cycle of temperature-controlled equipment needs:

Sales: Containers in IICL and CW (Cargo Worthy) condition with a full set of documents.
Leasing (Trip Lease and One-Way Lease): Competitive rates for reefers with delivery from China, Europe, or inland depots in Russia.
Genset Provision: For road and rail transport, we lease diesel generator sets to ensure autonomous power supply for the reefer.
Secure Storage: Storing your reefer fleet at guarded facilities with the option to plug into the power grid for periodic startup and checks.

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.

*MyContainers is a partner of MyWay.

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