Supply chain risks are rising
Supply chain food spoilage wastes $3.8 billion yearly in Australia. Pharmaceutical supply chains face even stricter tolerances.
Temperature swings ruin stock fast. From berry farms to vaccine hubs, the causes for these temperature fluctuations include heatwaves, broken chillers, and long transit lines.
Portable reefer containers give producers and logistics teams a mobile safety net.
What is a Reefer Container?
Refrigerated shipping containers — a.k.a. ‘reefers’ — provide snap-in cold storage wherever Australia’s climate hits extremes. These shipping container modifications are game-changers.
Insulated Corten walls, polyurethane foam, and clip-on refrigeration units are utilised to keep produce at –25 °C to +25 °C.
High-cube models (9 ft 6 in tall) add 30 cm to the internal height, accommodating pallet stacks, roll-in vaccine cages, or hanging beef rails, while maintaining airflow above loads.
Typical Conversion Timeline for Reefer Containers
Mobile & Stationary Use Cases
- Agriculture:
Grape harvest overflow cooling in Swan Valley. Mango pre-chill in Katherine. - Seafood & fishing:
Snap-freeze prawns on trawler wharves from Cairns to Albany. - Pharma logistics:
2–8 °C vaccine hubs at regional airports such as Dubbo and Rockhampton. - Event catering:
Pop-up cool-rooms for music festivals and corporate marquees. - Food manufacturing:
Long-term –18 °C buffer storage beside HACCP plants in Melbourne’s west.
Standard temperature bands & uses
Based on 20-ft container, 30°C ambient, 415V mains.
The Power of Refrigerated Shipping Containers
- Corten shell retains structural strength down to –30 °C.
- Polyurethane foam walls (75 mm, R-5.4) isolate internal air.
- Clip-on Carrier or Thermo King unit cycles refrigerant; digital controller manages ±0.25°C accuracy.
- Floor T-rails promote even airflow under pallets, preventing hot spots.
2025 Power Options
- Three-phase mains — lowest running cost.
- Diesel genset — good for remote harvest blocks.
- Solar-assist hybrid — 6 kW roof array feeds batteries; diesel duty cycle slashed 40%.
HACCP & Pharma compliance
- Stainless-steel lining for easy swab tests.
- Temp logger with 0.1°C resolution; 7-year data memory.
- SMS/email alerts when temp deviates >1°C for 5 minutes.
- Optional UV-C air scrubbers for Listeria control.
Average Costs in Australia for Refrigerated Containers
Conclusion
Reefer containers bridge the gap between farm, factory and final mile. At Gatehouse Container Modifications, we build HACCP-ready units with solar hybrids that will cut diesel, slash waste and keep auditors smiling.
