Key Takeaways
- Offshore refrigerated containers (reefers) preserve perishable cargo like food, medicine, and chemicals in extreme marine conditions.
- These containers are DNV 2.7-1 certified, corrosion-resistant, and built to endure offshore weather, movement, and handling.
- Applications include storing crew food, vaccines, temperature-sensitive chemicals, and lab samples for offshore R&D.
- Key features include dual temperature zones, shock-resistant frames, plug-and-play cooling, and real-time monitoring.
- Choosing the right container involves considering cargo type, temperature range, available space, and power compatibility.
- MGS Offshore offers custom-sized reefers with advanced insulation and temperature control, ensuring cold chain integrity offshore.
Introduction
Perishable items inherently require strict temperature ranges to prevent spoilage or avoid hazardous reactions. In fact, for vaccines and pharmaceuticals, brief deviations from recommended conditions can render them ineffective.
Since these products often traverse multiple climate zones before reaching their destinations, the risk of spoilage only increases. To exacerbate issues, extreme heatwaves or unpredictable storms can sometimes force route diversions. This consequently extends transit times, overwhelming temperature control systems.
Fortunately, temperature-controlled storage offers a viable solution to maintain the integrity of perishable items such as medications and chemicals on offshore installations.
What Are Offshore Refrigerated Containers?
Offshore refrigerated containers are specialised shipping containers designed to keep their cargo at precise, regulated temperatures during storage and transport.
Commonly known as “offshore reefer containers,” these facilities are usually equipped with advanced temperature and humidity control mechanisms, robust insulation, and integrated refrigeration units.
MGS IceStorm Offshore Reefer Container image
These components work in unison to preserve perishable and temperature-sensitive goods, regardless of external climate conditions at offshore sites.
In practice, offshore reefers are also designed with reinforced frames and corrosion-resistant materials to endure exposure to seawater, strong winds, and constant movement. This is exemplified by their strict compliance with the DNV 2.7-1 certification.
This globally accepted technical standard establishes strict standards for the design, manufacture, and certification of offshore containers. Thereby, guaranteeing that reefers can endure the demanding conditions of offshore environments.
Applications of Offshore Refrigerated Containers
Offshore refrigerated containers can be deployed for different purposes in offshore settings, such as:
● Food storage for rig crew: They can keep perishable foods safe during long deployments, reducing the risk of foodborne illness in extreme marine conditions.
● Medical supplies and temperature-sensitive drugs: Offshore reefers sustain strict temperature ranges dictated for pharmaceuticals and vaccines. This consequently ensures critical medicines remain potent throughout offshore operations.
● Chemical substances that degrade in heat: They can store chemicals that could become unstable or hazardous if exposed to high temperatures. As such, they protect personnel and cargo from the risks of dangerous reactions.
● Lab samples for offshore R&D: They support offshore research and experimentation by providing a stable environment for preserving scientific samples.
Key Features of Offshore Refrigerated Containers
Offshore refrigerated containers typically have specific features that help preserve disparate temperature-sensitive cargo. For instance:
- Dual temperature zones that enable simultaneous freezer and chiller storage to accommodate various cargo needs.
- Reliable real-time temperature monitoring systems that guarantee accurate control and prompt action in the event of a deviation.
- Shock-resistant frames are designed to withstand the rigours of marine handling, including heavy lifting.
- Easy forklift and sling access that facilitates efficient loading and unloading in confined offshore spaces.
- Plug-and-play cooling systems that can be easily integrated with an existing power supply for uninterrupted operation.
MGS Offshore’s reefer containers maintain all the above features. Available in 10ft, 20ft, and custom sizes to suit various operational needs, they boast robust insulation and precise temperature control mechanisms. These mechanisms ensure cargo integrity even in extreme weather conditions.
Additionally, their full compliance with offshore safety standards guarantees reliability and crew safety, despite the uncertainty of offshore environments.
Benefits of Using Refrigerated Containers in Offshore Operations
Refrigerated containers help improve the efficiency of offshore operations by:
- Maintaining worker health and ensuring food safety by keeping perishable goods in ideal conditions.
- Minimising expensive food, medication, and chemical waste by reducing spoilage and material loss.
- Supporting operational safety and legal requirements through the adherence to strict offshore laws for the storage of food and medical supplies.
- Allowing for longer offshore missions without frequent resupply to improve operational effectiveness and lessen logistical difficulties.
How to Choose the Right Refrigerated Container: Factors to Consider
To ensure cargo integrity and operational efficiency, choosing the right refrigerated container necessitates careful consideration of a number of variables, such as:
- Internal volume versus available deck space: The container must fit the physical constraints of the platform, without compromising storage needs.
- Type of items to be stored: The container’s design and ventilation controls must be tailored to the specific cargo requirements—whether perishable food, pharmaceuticals, or sensitive chemicals.
- Required temperature range: Different goods demand precise temperature settings and stable environments to prevent spoilage. So, select a container that can reliably maintain disparate frozen or chilled temperatures.
- Power compatibility: Any prospective reefer must be compatible with diverse onboard power supplies or external generators to prevent temperature deviations. This appreciably enhances operational reliability and minimises the risk of spoilage.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, reliable refrigeration offshore isn’t a luxury but an operational necessity! It is mission-critical to maintaining safety, compliance, and efficiency in demanding marine environments.
Without consistent temperature control, perishable food, medical supplies, and research samples risk spoilage or degradation. This, in turn, often leads to health hazards, regulatory violations, and costly operational disruptions.
Offshore conditions—characterised by saltwater exposure and extreme weather—only amplify these risks. As such, refrigerated containers are indispensable to the preservation of cargo integrity and support of uninterrupted offshore missions.
MGS Offshore’s refrigerated containers are uniquely engineered specifically to meet offshore demands. They combine DNV-certified structural strength with advanced temperature control technology to ensure that offshore operations remain compliant with food and medical storage regulations. This helps to safeguard crew health and mission-critical supplies and maintain operational continuity.
By delivering reliable, energy-efficient refrigeration tailored to remote conditions, MGS Offshore’s reefers appreciably reduce offshore logistical challenges. Thus, reinforcing that dependable cold chain solutions are essential for offshore success.
Business Director
A graduate (Business) from KDU, Jason Tan, is the current Business Director (Sales) for MGS Icestorm and has been associated with the company for the past 10 years.
With over 13 years in the shipping industry, he has had a significant contribution to Malaysia’s oil and gas industry in the engine and boat supply sector.
His expertise includes managing offshore catering business, offshore reefer containers, AI technology, offshore gas tanks, A60 pressurized cabins, etc. His contributions have helped establish MGS, in partnership (joint venture) with Thermo King and Honeywell to produce state of art Offshore Reefer Container products.