Specialized Containers

Refrigerated shipping containers are the ideal way to transport and store goods that require reliable temperature-controlled facilities. When shipping or storing meat, cheese, dairy or seafood, a refrigerated container, also known as a ‘reefer’, is an absolute must-have. Fruits, flowers and many vegetables also need a steady temperature to make sure they arrive at their destination in their best condition, though they may only require an insulated container – it really does depend on the product, how far you are shipping, and how long the journey takes.

Unlike refrigerated containers, which have a power source and controlled temperature range, insulated containers rely on their insulation properties to maintain a steady temperature throughout. This is an advantage if your goods are being shipped a relatively short distance, when no power is available, or when a regular temperature is all that’s required rather than refrigeration. For instance, pre-cooled cargo from cold storage can be used with an insulated shipping container to maintain a cold chain very successfully on short trips, and many goods don’t even require cooling methods at all – the insulation of the container itself is enough to keep the goods in perfect condition. Insulated shipping containers are also increasingly being used for storage and accommodation as well.

Shipping bulk goods that need to be loaded by crane require a form of specialised shipping container called an open top shipping container. The result of another clever ‘out of the box’ modification to the original general purpose shipping containers, open top shipping containers are designed to transport bulky or heavy cargo that either won’t fit through normal container doors, or else require a crane for efficient loading. General industrial goods, pipes, steel bars, cables, iron ore, mining materials and logs are just some examples of the types of goods that can be transported in an open top shipping container.