When you are going to load a refrigerated container, there are certain factors to consider to do it correctly and make sure the product reaches its destination in optimal condition, since in most cases the cargo is perishable.

Recommendations for loading a refrigerated container correctly

As a general rule, companies that offer this service have staff for each specific area: cleaning, structural assessment of the container, safety inspectors, loading crews and professionals in charge of the electrical and refrigeration engineering. Each of them has a role even before the containers are loaded.

The following aspects must be watched:

Container inspection

Before loading a refrigerated container, it is vitally important that trained staff inspect it structurally, both outside and inside. This matters because it can prevent financial losses or even accidents by discovering cracks that could compromise the cargo or the expensive refrigeration equipment these units carry.

At this inspection stage, the technical staff in charge of the refrigeration systems must also be present to assess all the equipment that will hold the container's temperature. This inspection covers the electrical side and the cold chain.

Hygiene of the refrigerated container

Because food is involved, this activity is usually governed by very strict health regulations. That means the container must be deep-cleaned before use.

Although it will mostly depend on the type of product transported and how it is packed, health laws require a container to be cleaned with specific chemical products and pressure-water systems.

Pre-cooling the container

Before a container is loaded, it has probably spent a considerable time exposed to the elements. Depending on the place, country or region, the inside of the container may literally be baking hot. The container must be closed and pre-cooled until the interior reaches the right temperature for the goods to be transported.

How to load a container correctly depending on the goods

It is essential that containers are at the ideal temperature before loading. After the staff have made sure everything is hygienically clean and the cooling system is in good condition, it must also be verified that the drainage system and ventilation ducts are free of any object or residue that could affect the container's temperature.

These are the minimum recommendations before loading a container, depending on the goods to be transported:

Goods should not touch the ceiling or the walls of the container.
Allow the minimum space required so air flows correctly over all the products.
If the cargo is mixed and includes fruit and similar produce, make sure their ripening and decomposition do not affect other products.
Sort the goods and, if necessary, use separate refrigerated units: products that must travel frozen, such as meat, keep well, but other foods could suffer damage to their molecular structure if exposed to low temperatures.

Conclusion

A container is usually operated by trained technical staff, because specific knowledge is required. The goal of this kind of transport is to cover long distances by sea or air while keeping the cold chain intact throughout the journey.

You may also be interested in: The importance of containers for foreign trade

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