Prior Loading Checklists

Pre-cooling of Product

Proper pre-cooling of the products will have a positive effect on their shelf life and improve the cargo outturn. The products should always be pre-cooled to the required carriage temperature prior to being stuffed into the container.

Furthermore, reefer containers are built to maintain the temperature of the products rather than to decrease the temperature. When the products are loaded at temperature above the carriage temperature, the strain on the reefer unit will be considerable and can eventually result in the breakdown of the machinery.

Pre-cooling of the Container

Before loading pre-cooled products, the container should also be pre-cooled by operating the unit with the doors closed for about 30 minutes, or until the set temperature is reached.

Once pre-cooled the unit should be turned off and product loaded immediately for best results. If the hot humid air enters the refrigeration unit, moisture condensed on the cold cooling coils and turns to ice. Cooled air is not confined to the container and escapes out the rear door as the cycling continues.

The unit should remain off during loading and unloading to avoid the buildup of excess ice on the cooling coils. Once ice formed, the machinery will go into a short defrost mode. As a result, less capacity will be available for cooling the cargo.

Check Lists


The check lists should always be followed before and during loading the shipment of perishable products: 		Pre-cooling (if necessary). The temperature setting is correct. The ventilation setting is correct. The recommended loading pattern. The packaging material and cartons used. The transit time. Cargo is never stowed above the red load line. Cargo is stable and evenly stowed. The total cargo weight does not exceed the maximum payload of the container.