Container shipping is the movement of standardised intermodal boxes by sea, and for frozen or chilled food it relies on reefer containers that maintain a set temperature throughout the ocean leg.
In trade practice
Booking reefer capacity requires specifying the set temperature, ventilation settings and humidity requirements in writing to the carrier. Shippers must confirm reefer plug availability at both the port of loading and the port of discharge, as gaps cause cold chain breaks. A common mistake is failing to record pre-trip inspection results, which weakens any claim if cargo arrives above the agreed temperature.
In a specification
A purchase contract or booking confirmation should state the required set-point temperature, acceptable temperature range during transit and the container type, referencing the relevant Incoterms rule to allocate risk.