Container Land supplies reefer shipping containers to buy or rent across South Africa. Most operators choose a reefer over a built cold room because it arrives ready to run. You simply plug it into 3-phase power, set the temperature and then load it the same day.
What Are Reefer Shipping Containers?
A reefer shipping container is an intermodal shipping container with built-in refrigeration. It is the same as an ISO steel frame that ships dry cargo, but it’s fitted with insulated panels and an aluminium T-floor that lets cold air circulate under the load with the refrigeration unit sitting at the front end. A reefer shipping container can move from a vessel to a truck to a yard without breaking the cold chain.
Common Features of a Reefer Shipping Container
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Fully insulated build: Reefer containers have polyurethane-foam insulation throughout the container. The panels limit heat transfer so the unit holds your set temperature without short-cycling, even when the box is sitting in 35°C Gauteng summer sun.
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Integrated refrigeration unit: Each reefer ships with a refrigeration unit installed at the front. On site it runs on 3-phase 380 to 460V power, and it will switch to a clip-on diesel genset for road transport. That dual supply is why a reefer can run continuously through a 1,500km haul from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
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Adjustable temperature range: The unit holds set points from -30°C to +30°C, which covers the necessary temperature ranges for ice cream at -25°C, frozen meat at -18°C, dairy at +4°C or cut flowers at +2°C. The temperature is set on the digital controller and the unit cycles to hold it within roughly 1°C.
How Would You Convert a Reefer Container?
Container Land also converts shipping containers into cold storage units for clients who need a permanent solution on site rather than a transport unit.
Alternative cold storage solutions
Food processors and pharma distributors often need cold storage without building a permanent walk-in cold room. We fit reefer containers with shelving racks, internal LED lighting and a side personnel door so staff can walk in, pick stock then walk out without warming the whole box. The result is a cold room you can move when your operation moves.
Portable refrigeration units
Pop-up markets and remote event sites need cold storage on a deadline. A converted reefer can be dropped off on site, gets plugged into 3-phase power, and is ready to run. Container Land has supplied units to event organisers in the Cape winelands and outdoor sports venues where no permanent cold storage exists.
Specialised conversions
Reefer shells also become mobile laboratories, floristry units, hydroponic pods or blast freezers. Each conversion uses the same insulated shipping container. Some keep the original refrigeration unit and others get a higher-spec one for blast freezing down to -40°C.
Container Land for Reefer Sales, Rentals and Conversions
Container conversion specialists
We have spent years turning standard shipping containers into working spaces. The team handles every step from sourcing the right base unit to delivering it converted and signed off. Container Land works across the size range, from a single 6-meter reefer for a butchery to a multi-unit setup for a packhouse.
Customised solutions
You can buy or rent a 6-meter or 12-meter reefer from our stock. We also resize units down for tight sites and run specialised conversions like cold rooms or blast freezers down to -40°C. Our team works to your operational spec, so the unit you receive matches your power supply and your temperature requirements.
Quality from start to finish
Every reefer we sell or rent goes through a pre-trip inspection. The refrigeration unit is run-tested. The insulation seals and door gaskets are checked before the container leaves our yard. When you rent from Container Land, the unit arrives ready to run and serviced for the duration of the lease.
See more of what Container Land has to offer.
Get Your Reefer Shipping Containers At Container Land
We tailor every reefer to the way you actually plan to use it, from the temperature set point to the door layout.
Container Land’s solutions are backed by years of experience with South African clients. Get a quote to buy, rent or convert a reefer shipping container by contacting the team and we will match a unit to your operation.
