Reefer container stowage
Reefer containers require special care after they are loaded on board ship. These containers need to be supplied with power, monitored closely for proper function and repaired as required in case of malfunction.The article here is about procedures and guidelines on refere cargo care at sea.
At sea, all reefer containers shall be monitored by checking physically at least Twice daily (weather permitting). All monitored data for each reefer container on board shall be entered in a reefer monitoring log and retained for 3 years. Some reefer containers with special cargo (e.g.: VIP cargo) come with instructions for more frequent monitoring and reporting. Such instructions shall be strictly followed.
During the daily reefer container checks, its condition shall be checked for the following:-
a) Power supply
b) Cooling water supply maintained in case of water cooled machinery
c) Present actual temperature on partlow chart and digital indicator
d) Partlow chart verify if any disruption to power supply or fault in unit if abnormal trend is observed
e) Any alarms displayed on the digital indicator
f) Control box door firmly tightened to prevent any water damage
g) Any abnormal noise or vibration from the refrigerating equipment
In case of a reefer container malfunction, the facts must be reported without delay to concerned parties as required by the voyage instructions. Repair work on the malfunctioning reefer container must be undertaken with best efforts after consulting manuals/drawings and instructions from concerned lines technical department. It is an obligation upon the carrier (and ships crew) to exercise due diligence in preventing any cargo damage.
Subsequent technical reports shall be sent to concerned parties in line with voyage instructions, until the reefer container is repaired or discharged at the next port. The reefer remote monitoring system where fitted and operational shall be used whenever possible. Alarms generated on this system shall be attended to promptly and condition of the concerned reefer container confirmed.
Spare parts and manuals for reefer containers shall be maintained on board as required. Usually these are maintained booking line wise or otherwise as per voyage instructions from vessel operator. Periodical inventory of reefer container spares shall be taken, maintained and requisite spare parts ordered to maintain stock levels.
Master shall submit inventory list of reefer spare parts to each booking line at Intervals specified by them.
Normally spare parts belonging to one booking line shall not be used for repair of a reefer container of another booking line. However in case of emergency, this may be permitted subject to the condition that a reefer unit of the other booking line is not suffering due to this consideration.
Reefer containers require special care after they are loaded on board ship. These containers need to be supplied with power, monitored closely for proper function and repaired as required in case of malfunction.The article here is about procedures and guidelines on refere cargo care at sea.
At sea, all reefer containers shall be monitored by checking physically at least Twice daily (weather permitting). All monitored data for each reefer container on board shall be entered in a reefer monitoring log and retained for 3 years. Some reefer containers with special cargo (e.g.: VIP cargo) come with instructions for more frequent monitoring and reporting. Such instructions shall be strictly followed.
During the daily reefer container checks, its condition shall be checked for the following:-
a) Power supply
b) Cooling water supply maintained in case of water cooled machinery
c) Present actual temperature on partlow chart and digital indicator
d) Partlow chart verify if any disruption to power supply or fault in unit if abnormal trend is observed
e) Any alarms displayed on the digital indicator
f) Control box door firmly tightened to prevent any water damage
g) Any abnormal noise or vibration from the refrigerating equipment
In case of a reefer container malfunction, the facts must be reported without delay to concerned parties as required by the voyage instructions. Repair work on the malfunctioning reefer container must be undertaken with best efforts after consulting manuals/drawings and instructions from concerned lines technical department. It is an obligation upon the carrier (and ships crew) to exercise due diligence in preventing any cargo damage.
Subsequent technical reports shall be sent to concerned parties in line with voyage instructions, until the reefer container is repaired or discharged at the next port. The reefer remote monitoring system where fitted and operational shall be used whenever possible. Alarms generated on this system shall be attended to promptly and condition of the concerned reefer container confirmed.
Spare parts and manuals for reefer containers shall be maintained on board as required. Usually these are maintained booking line wise or otherwise as per voyage instructions from vessel operator. Periodical inventory of reefer container spares shall be taken, maintained and requisite spare parts ordered to maintain stock levels.
Master shall submit inventory list of reefer spare parts to each booking line at Intervals specified by them.
Normally spare parts belonging to one booking line shall not be used for repair of a reefer container of another booking line. However in case of emergency, this may be permitted subject to the condition that a reefer unit of the other booking line is not suffering due to this consideration.
