Booking a reefer is not like booking a dry truck. The details you give the carrier decide whether your cargo arrives in spec.
A reefer — a refrigerated truck or trailer with its own cooling unit — is booked much like any other vehicle, but the information the carrier needs is very different. Shippers new to reefer transport in Saudi Arabia often provide only pickup, delivery and pallet count, and then discover that a wrong set point, an under-sized unit or a shared load has damaged the product. This guide covers what to specify and why it matters.
Information to give the carrier
- Product type and required temperature range (not just "chilled").
- Whether the cargo is pre-cooled and to what temperature.
- Pallet count, weight and whether goods are stacked or airflow-sensitive.
- Loading and unloading times, dock facilities, and whether the receiver has a cold room.
- Any regulatory requirements: SFDA product category, halal, pharma GDP.
Set point versus product temperature
The set point is the air temperature the unit maintains. Product temperature at loading is what actually matters, because a reefer cannot bring warm goods down to range on the road. State both, and ask the carrier to record product temperature at loading and delivery.
Single or dual chamber
If you ship frozen and chilled lines together, a dual-chamber reefer with a movable bulkhead avoids compromising one product for the other. For controlled-ambient goods travelling with chilled, the same applies.
Dedicated reefer versus shared load
A dedicated (FTL) reefer gives you sole control of temperature and door openings. Shared or LTL reefer services are cheaper for small volumes but mean more door openings and a single set point for all customers. High-value pharma and premium food nearly always warrant a dedicated vehicle.
What drives reefer pricing
Reefers cost more than dry trucks because of the unit's fuel burn, maintenance and lower availability. Lane, vehicle size, dedicated versus shared, waiting time at docks, summer peak demand and cross-border requirements all affect the rate.
Common mistakes to avoid
Loading warm product, blocking airflow with tightly packed pallets, opening doors for long inspections, and failing to check that the receiver can unload straight into cold storage.
TQM International books dedicated and shared reefer transport across Saudi Arabia and the GCC, with product temperature recorded at both ends and live monitoring throughout.
