If you are not familiar with the term, non-operating reefer container, this article might be well worth the read if you are looking at ways to reduce freight costs and order lead times!
The freight forwarding industry has changed, perhaps irrevocably, over the last two years. One of the contributing factors is a global container shortage brought about by countries in various stages of lockdown, leading to freight transport and storage bottlenecks. With shipping capacity constrained and surging freight costs, “Non-Operating Reefer Containers” have become more important than ever.
Refrigerated containers (also known as Reefers) are used to convey temperature-controlled cargo such as fruit, meat, flowers, chocolates, pharmaceuticals, etc. While large numbers of reefers are used from South Africa and other parts of the world to the Far East, not many reefers are used for exports from the Far East, creating an imbalance of equipment.
To ensure that reefers are not travelling back empty (taking up valuable revenue-earning space on a ship), shipping lines incentivise importers to use these reefer units in a non-operating mode with the refrigeration unit disabled. This is known as a Non-Operating Reefer, or NOR.
Reefer containers have the same outside dimensions as a General Purpose (GP) container, but with smaller internal dimensions due to the genset, as well as thicker, insulated walls.
However, the benefits of using NOR containers far outweighs its limitations.
With a cost saving of up to 30%, while only losing about 10% loading capacity, making use of a NOR container is a great choice for your next shipment from the far east. Apart from the reduced freight rates offered by shipping lines, these containers also receive priority loading at origin. This means that the shipping line will give preference to releasing space to NOR containers over normal GP containers.
As clean, food-grade containers, NORs are perfect for certain dry goods. They are most suitable for cargo packed in boxes or palletized cargo. This includes items like textiles, fabric and clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, food and beverages, raw materials and other general dry goods. With all of this in mind, most of the dry commodities you ship with us today are ready to be shipped in a NOR container.
To find out whether your commodity is suitable for NOR shipment, why not call one of our representatives today. Megafreight is dedicated to finding the best solution for each client, and this might just be it for you.
Contact us at info@megafreight.co.za or 0861 00 6342 (MEGA).
