40ft Refrigerated Container for Sale in Kenya (Reefers)

40ft Refrigerated Container for Sale in Kenya: The High-Volume Cold Storage Solution

For businesses dealing with large volumes of perishable goods—from fresh horticultural produce and chilled dairy to deep-frozen meat and essential pharmaceuticals—maintaining an unbroken cold chain is critical.³ The 40ft Refrigerated Container, or Reefer, is the ultimate tool for reliable, high-capacity, mobile cold storage in Kenya.

At Frontier Containers EA Limited, we supply 40ft High Cube (HC) Reefer Containers, which offer a full 12-meter capacity and extra ceiling height, making them the industry standard for large-scale temperature control.

The Reefer Advantage: Precision, Power, and Scale

Reefer containers are specialized units designed to maintain—not cool down—cargo to a precise set point, ensuring product integrity over long periods.

• Massive Capacity: The 40ft High Cube size is ideal for accommodating large inventory, offering significant cubic space for bulk storage or palletized loads (typically around 67 cubic meters).

• Temperature Control: Our Reefer units are engineered to maintain a consistent temperature range, typically from -30°C (Deep Freeze) up to +30°C (Chiller), controlled to within a fraction of a degree.

• Built-in Insulation: The container body itself is factory-built with premium-grade polyurethane insulation and stainless steel/aluminum interiors, making them incredibly energy-efficient and hygienic (food-grade standard).

• Atmosphere Management: Reefer units often feature advanced systems for dehumidification and fresh air exchange, essential for extending the shelf life of sensitive fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.

• Portability: Despite the complex machinery, the unit is designed for intermodal transport, meaning your cold storage facility can be moved between farms, distribution centers, and ports with ease.

Product Specifications and Power Requirements

Understanding the specifications of a reefer is crucial for proper site setup.

Common Uses for 40ft Reefer Containers in Kenya

The size and technical capabilities of the 40ft Reefer make it indispensable across multiple industries:

• Horticulture & Farming: Large-scale pre-cooling and storage of flowers, fruits, and vegetables before export or distribution.

• Food Processing: Holding freezers for processed meat, fish, and ice cream manufacturers.

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical: Secure, temperature-mapped storage for temperature-sensitive vaccines, laboratory samples, and medicines.

• Retail & Distribution: Centralized cold storage depots for supermarkets and large food distributors.

• Specialty Freezing: Use as a holding freezer for frozen goods or can be modified into a blast freezer.

Estimated Price Range

The price of a 40ft Reefer container is significantly higher than a standard dry container due to the inclusion of complex, high-precision cooling machinery and stainless steel insulation.

Estimated Price Range (Used, Operational Unit): Kshs 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

(Price is highly dependent on the unit’s age, the brand/condition of the refrigeration machinery (e.g., Carrier, Thermo King), and the specific temperature requirements of the client.)

Why Choose Frontier Containers for Your Reefer Purchase?

Purchasing a refrigerated unit requires expertise beyond a standard dry container.

• Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) Guarantee: We ensure every operational reefer unit sold has passed a rigorous Pre-Trip Inspection, guaranteeing the refrigeration machinery is functional and maintaining the required set point temperature.

• Technical Support: We provide necessary technical guidance on power requirements, circuit protection, and best practices for running the unit efficiently in the Kenyan environment.

• Quality Assurance: We source high-grade units with hygienic interiors and robust refrigeration plants, ready for immediate use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for 40ft Reefer Containers

1. Is the price for the 40ft Reefer negotiable?

The price for a reefer is primarily driven by the age and condition of the refrigeration unit (the machine).13 While dry container prices are more flexible, reefer prices reflect the complex technology, placing the price range generally between Kshs 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 for a reliable used unit.14

2. Is the reefer designed to cool down my cargo?

No (The “Hotel, not a Hospital” rule). Reefers are primarily designed to maintain the temperature of cargo that has already been pre-cooled or pre-frozen to the required temperature.15 Loading hot cargo will put immense strain on the unit and may result in product spoilage. Pre-cool your cargo before loading.

3. What kind of power supply does the 40ft reefer need?

Reefer units require 3-Phase industrial power (380V-460V).16 It is essential that your electrical connection is installed by a certified electrician and uses a motor start circuit breaker (D-curve) to handle the initial surge when the compressor starts.17

4. How low can the temperature go?

Standard reefers can maintain temperatures from +30°C down to -30°C. Specialized ‘Super Freezer’ units can achieve temperatures as low as -60°C, but these are rare and significantly more expensive.18

5. Does the reefer container come with its own generator?

No. Reefer containers are fully electric and require an external power source.19 We can advise you on the correct size of generator (Genset) required to run the unit efficiently, but the Genset is typically a separate purchase.

6. What is the “T-Bar” floor?

The T-Bar floor is a specialized aluminum floor with large channels running its length.20 This design ensures that cold air flows efficiently from the refrigeration unit, underneath and around the entire cargo stack, for uniform temperature distribution.21

7. Can I use the reefer for dry storage if the unit is off?

Yes. When the refrigeration unit is turned off, the container acts as a highly insulated Used Container. This insulation can help keep contents cooler for a time, even without power, but the unit is still primarily a specialized cold storage asset.

8. Are your reefers suitable for land transport in Kenya?

Yes. When the reefer needs to be transported long distances by road, a clip-on or belly-mount generator (Genset) can be attached to the truck to ensure the unit runs continuously and the cold chain remains unbroken during transit.22