Since the introduction of reefer container for seaborne transportation, international trade of reefer products has increased continuously with the development of refrigerate technology, increased speed of the ship and change of consumption pattern. In spite of recent global financial crisis affecting the consumption of reefer products, the demand for reefer products tends to be slow for a while but now back to previous state. Most of experts forecast that global reefer market will be increased about 2~5 percent annually by 2015.
In general, reefer container cargo comprises chilled and frozen products that require different temperature level maintenance to guarantee during transportation. Chilled goods are mainly composed of fruit cargoes and require a temperature around 0℃ or higher, while frozen products need to be maintained at -18℃ or even less and include primarily meat, seafood and dairy products.
Reefer cargo is perishable and sensitive to temperature, humidity compared to general cargo and normally reefer cargo is more valuable than general cargo. Therefore it needs special care for cargo handling in transit including land and sea in order to prevent cargo damage.
However, lots of claims relating to reefer cargo damage rise frequently in workplace. It may increase unnecessary logistic cost and time.
The purpose of this study is how to improve and prevent damage to reefer container cargo. To accomplish the aim of this study, I have collected some data from survey report, claim case and news article and so on.
After examining the data, this paper shows types and causes of damage to reefer container cargo and presents the improvement of damage to reefer container cargo.
Most damages to reefer container cargo are shipper's negligence or careless handling of reefer cargo before or during stuffing works at shipper's door and the other key factor of causing damage is break down and malfunction of reefer unit during transportation or storage at the container terminal.
To improve damage to reefer container cargo, from the aspect of shipper, they have to select good condition of cargo, to sanitize reefer products properly, to put cargo into export packing avoiding cargo damage during transportation and also they inform shipping line of accurate shipping information like temperature, ventilator setting and humidity when they book the space.
From the aspect of shipping line, they should maintain and inspect reefer container regularly before releasing to shipper in order to prevent break down or malfunction of reefer container in transit.
In case of break down or malfunction of reefer container at sea, it should be repaired by ship's crew immediately to prevent cargo damage.
According to above procedures, the damage to reefer container cargo will be improved much more. It may give benefits to both shipper and shipping line to save unnecessary logistic cost and time and contribute to deliver the cargo more safe and efficiently to destination.