Reefer containers and dry containers play an important role in maritime logistics
In the world of maritime logistics and international trade, containers play an essential role in the safe and efficient transportation of goods around the world. Reefer containers and dry containers are two types of containers that are particularly important in the logistics sector. Each has different characteristics and uses, and they enable a wide variety of goods to be transported around the world. Dry containers are the most common type and are mainly used to transport dry cargo. Reefer containers, on the other hand, are temperature-controlled, which is necessary when transporting perishables or temperature-sensitive cargo. These two types of containers enable the versatility and flexibility of transporting goods via maritime logistics and contribute significantly to global trade and economic activity. In this topic, we'll learn more about both types of containers and how they function as key elements of logistics.
In the world of maritime logistics and international trade, containers play an essential role in the safe and efficient transportation of goods around the world. Reefer containers and dry containers are two types of containers that are particularly important in the logistics sector. Each has different characteristics and uses, and they enable a wide variety of goods to be transported around the world. Dry containers are the most common type and are mainly used to transport dry cargo. Reefer containers, on the other hand, are temperature-controlled, which is necessary when transporting perishables or temperature-sensitive cargo. These two types of containers enable the versatility and flexibility of transporting goods via maritime logistics and contribute significantly to global trade and economic activity. In this topic, we'll learn more about both types of containers and how they function as key elements of logistics.
A reefer container is a special type of container designed to transport frozen or refrigerated goods, and it uses electricity or fuel to regulate the temperature inside to keep goods such as food, plants, and pharmaceutical products fresh.
Reefer containers can typically maintain a temperature between -25°C and +25°C, and a modern reefer can automatically adjust the temperature, relative humidity, or ventilation inside.
They also have the ability to record temperature changes during transportation for easy documentation, and can be integrated with GPS data to monitor temperature changes by cargo location.
They also have the ability to record temperature changes during transportation, enabling easy documentation, and can be integrated with GPS data to monitor temperature changes by cargo location.
Reefer containers can typically maintain a temperature between -25°C and +25°C, and a modern reefer can automatically adjust the temperature, relative humidity, or ventilation inside.
They also have the ability to record temperature changes during transportation for easy documentation, and can be integrated with GPS data to monitor temperature changes by cargo location.
They also have the ability to record temperature changes during transportation, enabling easy documentation, and can be integrated with GPS data to monitor temperature changes by cargo location.
1. Types and Sizes of Typically Used Reefer Containers
[Reefer Container Specifications] 
2. Other Reefer Containers
1) Super Freezer Containers
- They can store goods at cryogenic temperatures and are often used to ship expensive seafood and other goods.
2) Controlled Atmosphere Containers
- By regulating the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside, they can keep perishables fresher for longer.
3) Tank Reefer Container
- They can ship cargo in liquid form and have large tanks installed inside.
4) Dual Compartment Reefer Container
- They are divided into two separate compartments and can carry two types of cargo at the same time with different temperature settings.
1) Super Freezer Containers
- They can store goods at cryogenic temperatures and are often used to ship expensive seafood and other goods.
2) Controlled Atmosphere Containers
- By regulating the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside, they can keep perishables fresher for longer.
3) Tank Reefer Container
- They can ship cargo in liquid form and have large tanks installed inside.
4) Dual Compartment Reefer Container
- They are divided into two separate compartments and can carry two types of cargo at the same time with different temperature settings.
(Source : Getty Images Bank) 
Reefer containers are used to transport cargo that requires a specific temperature to be maintained. Due to these characteristics, the industries where reefer containers are mainly used have the following characteristics:
1) Food Industry
- Reefer containers are most commonly used to transport fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, etc., to maintain their freshness during domestic and international transportation. In particular, they are considered essential for the transportation of refrigerated and frozen foods that need to remain fresh regardless of time and distance.
2) Pharmaceutical Industry
- Many pharmaceutical products and vaccines need to be stored at a specific temperature to maintain their efficacy. In particular, some expensive pharmaceutical products require strict temperature conditions. Reefer containers ensure that these products can be safely shipped around the world.
3) Flower and Plant Industry
- Fresh flowers and some plants are very sensitive to temperature changes. Reefer containers are used to ensure that they remain fresh and vibrant when shipped to international markets.
4) Chemical Industry
- Certain chemicals and raw materials can change their properties at high or low temperatures. Some chemicals can only be stored reliably at certain temperatures, and reefer containers are used to ship these materials safely.
In these industries, the use of reefer containers has more meaning to it than just keeping products "cold.” They play a key role in ensuring product quality, stability, and freshness until the products reach the end consumer, making reefer containers an indispensable asset in these industries.
1) Food Industry
- Reefer containers are most commonly used to transport fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, etc., to maintain their freshness during domestic and international transportation. In particular, they are considered essential for the transportation of refrigerated and frozen foods that need to remain fresh regardless of time and distance.
2) Pharmaceutical Industry
- Many pharmaceutical products and vaccines need to be stored at a specific temperature to maintain their efficacy. In particular, some expensive pharmaceutical products require strict temperature conditions. Reefer containers ensure that these products can be safely shipped around the world.
3) Flower and Plant Industry
- Fresh flowers and some plants are very sensitive to temperature changes. Reefer containers are used to ensure that they remain fresh and vibrant when shipped to international markets.
4) Chemical Industry
- Certain chemicals and raw materials can change their properties at high or low temperatures. Some chemicals can only be stored reliably at certain temperatures, and reefer containers are used to ship these materials safely.
In these industries, the use of reefer containers has more meaning to it than just keeping products "cold.” They play a key role in ensuring product quality, stability, and freshness until the products reach the end consumer, making reefer containers an indispensable asset in these industries.
Dry containers are the most common type of container and are durable, fully enclosed structures that protect cargo from being influenced by external environments. They are primarily used to transport dry goods and can carry a wide variety of cargo, including furniture, clothing, toys, construction materials, etc. As opposed to reefer containers, most cargo that does not require special temperature or humidity conditions is transported in dry containers. Due to their efficiency and wide range of uses, dry containers are used to transport cargo by a variety of means, including ships, trucks, and trains.
1. Types and Sizes of Typically Used Dry Containers
[Dry Container Specifications] 
(Source : Getty Images Bank) 2. Other Dry Containers
1) Train Containers
These containers are used when transporting cargo by train, and are often used in Russia and Central Asia. They come in 20-, 40-, and 53-foot sizes.
2) Pallet Wide Dry Containers
These containers are made to fit the size of a pallet, allowing for efficient transportation of palletized cargo.
3) Flat Rack Dry Containers
The front and back of the container are open, making it easy to load long cargo.
4) Open Top Dry Containers
These containers either do not have a ceiling or the ceiling can open, allowing cargo to be loaded from above. These containers are ideal for transporting large and heavy cargo.
As above, there are many different types and sizes of dry containers, so depending on the type and volume of cargo, appropriate containers for transportation can be used.
1) Train Containers
These containers are used when transporting cargo by train, and are often used in Russia and Central Asia. They come in 20-, 40-, and 53-foot sizes.
2) Pallet Wide Dry Containers
These containers are made to fit the size of a pallet, allowing for efficient transportation of palletized cargo.
3) Flat Rack Dry Containers
The front and back of the container are open, making it easy to load long cargo.
4) Open Top Dry Containers
These containers either do not have a ceiling or the ceiling can open, allowing cargo to be loaded from above. These containers are ideal for transporting large and heavy cargo.
As above, there are many different types and sizes of dry containers, so depending on the type and volume of cargo, appropriate containers for transportation can be used.
[Flat Rack Container] 
(Source : iStock)
(Source : iStock) 
Dry containers are the most common type of container used in a wide range of industries. Because they do not have a temperature control function, they are primarily suitable for transporting dry cargo that is not temperature-sensitive, and the industries that primarily use dry containers have the following characteristics:
1) Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry exports a wide variety of products around the world, including machine parts, electronics, and more. Dry containers are used to safely transport or store products or parts, many of which are not very temperature-sensitive. As such, dry containers can be used to safely transport vehicles, appliances, machinery, and equipment.
2) Agriculture
While fresh agricultural products require reefer containers, agricultural products such as dry grains, beans, and wheat are transported in dry containers, and are also shipped in bulk carriers without containers. As such, the transportation of agricultural products in dry containers plays an important role in the global food supply chain.
3) Construction Industry
Cement, rebar, wood, tiles, and many other construction materials are transported to construction sites around the world.
Construction materials often need to be transported in large quantities, which is why dry containers are so popular.
4) Consumer Goods Industry
Consumer goods such as clothing, furniture, and toys are produced in large quantities and shipped around the world. These products are generally not affected by temperature much, which is why they are often shipped in dry containers.
The versatility of dry containers is also reflected in the diversity of industries that use them. Suitable for most cargo that does not require temperature control, dry containers play a pivotal role in international trade and logistics, enabling the movement of goods around the world.
1) Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry exports a wide variety of products around the world, including machine parts, electronics, and more. Dry containers are used to safely transport or store products or parts, many of which are not very temperature-sensitive. As such, dry containers can be used to safely transport vehicles, appliances, machinery, and equipment.
2) Agriculture
While fresh agricultural products require reefer containers, agricultural products such as dry grains, beans, and wheat are transported in dry containers, and are also shipped in bulk carriers without containers. As such, the transportation of agricultural products in dry containers plays an important role in the global food supply chain.
3) Construction Industry
Cement, rebar, wood, tiles, and many other construction materials are transported to construction sites around the world.
Construction materials often need to be transported in large quantities, which is why dry containers are so popular.
4) Consumer Goods Industry
Consumer goods such as clothing, furniture, and toys are produced in large quantities and shipped around the world. These products are generally not affected by temperature much, which is why they are often shipped in dry containers.
The versatility of dry containers is also reflected in the diversity of industries that use them. Suitable for most cargo that does not require temperature control, dry containers play a pivotal role in international trade and logistics, enabling the movement of goods around the world.
The biggest difference between reefer containers and dry containers is the presence of a temperature control function. Reefer containers are suitable for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo as they have temperature control capabilities, whereas dry containers, lacking such features, are used to transport various cargo types excluding those sensitive to temperature control.
Reefer containers can generally adjust temperatures between -25°C to +25°C, although this may vary depending on the type of cargo. They can transport specific products that require lower or higher temperatures.
First, it is crucial to accurately determine the required temperature for maintaining food freshness. The utmost importance in transporting fresh food, lies in ensuring that the items remain fresh and do not spoil during transportation. Therefore, factors such as loading methods, ventilation, humidity conditions, and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the journey are vital aspects to manage.