CHAPTER 2

REFRIGERATED CARGOES

INTRODUCTION
Refrigerated cargo is carried in specially insulated compartments.
These compartments are fitted with a means of cooling. The insulations
on the sides, top and bottom of the compartment may be of cork, fiber
glass wool or polyurethane rigid foam. It is retained in position by either
tongued or grooved boarding or, in more modern vessels by galvanized
sheeting.
The cooling may be affected by either circulating cold brine through
pipes on the sides and deck heads or by blowing cold air through the
compartments.
Preparing of Hold
The compartment must be scrupulously clean when loading meat and
dairy products. It is recommended that after sweeping out, the
compartment is wiped down with clothes wrung out in a cleansing fluid.
This will prevent the formation of mould on woodwork. If a fruit or other
strong smelling cargo has been carried in the compartment previously, it
will also be necessary to deodorize it.
The bilges should be clean, sweetened and their suctions tested. The
brine traps should be cleaned out, refilled and tested. This also applies
to those in the tween deck. The brine traps serve a dual purpose; they
prevent cold air reaching the bilges and so freezing any water there in;
they also prevent any odour from the bilge from reaching the cargo
compartment.
If the vessel is fitted with brine pipes the side baffle boards (which keep
the cargo clear of the pipes) should be removed and the pipes wiped
clean. If fitted with cold air circulation system, air ducts should be
cleaned. This is particularly important if a dusty cargo is carried
previously. Any fat or grease spot on the deck should be scraped up
thoroughly.
The insulation should be inspected and any repairs necessary must be
affected. The increase in container and Ro-Ro trades has, to some
extent, brought about the demise of conventional reefer ship (one that
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was dedicated to carry refrigerated and chilled cargoes in its main

cargo-carrying compartments), the compartments being constructed
with insulation to act as very large giant refrigerators. Some of these
vessels still operate, particularly in the 'Banana Trade', but generally the
cost of handling cargoes into reefer ships has become uneconomic.
Students should also refer to chapter 9 of the first year .
Types of Cargoes
Refrigerated cargoes mainly fall into the category of foodstuffs by way
of meat, dairy products, fruit, poultry, etc. and a high degree of
cleanliness is expected throughout the cargo compartments. Prior to
loading such products, the spaces are surveyed and pre-cooling of
dunnage and handling gear is carried out. Bilge bays must be cleaned
out and sweetened, and the suctions tested to satisfaction. Brine traps
should also be cleaned and refilled. Brine traps serve a dual purpose by
preventing cold air reaching the bilge areas and freezing any residual
water while at the same time preventing odors from the bilges reaching
into cargo compartments.
Compartment insulation
All compartments are insulated for the purpose of reducing the load on
the refrigeration plant and reducing heat loss from the compartment. It
also provides time for engineers to instigate repairs in the event that
machinery fails.
A good insulation material:1.

Should not absorb moisture

2.

Should not harbor vermin

3.

Should be fire resistant

4.

Must be odorless

5.

Should be low cost and available worldwide

6.

Should be light for draught considerations

7.

Should not have excessive settling levels as this would require repacking

8.

Should have strength and durability.

Examples in use include: polyurethane, plastics (PVC), aluminum foil,
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cork granules and glass wool.

Refrigeration plant
Refrigerated cargoes, other than those specifically carried in container
or Ro-Ro units, will be loaded in the ship's own refrigeration plant.
Cargo Officers are expected to have a working knowledge of the
hardware involved with this cooling plant, and the consequences of
machinery failure.
The majority of refrigeration plants in the marine environment operate
on the 'vapor compression system' (absorption refrigeration systems
are generally not used in the marine environment because they need a
horizontal platform).
Figure 6.6 shows a direct expansion, grid-cooling system. A refrigerant
like Freon12 (C CL2 F2) in its gaseous form is compressed then
liquefied in the condenser. It is then passed through into the grid
pipeline of the compartment via the regulator valve. As it passes
through the pipes it expands, extracting the heat from the compartment
and producing the cooling effect. Its operation is based on the principle
that the boiling and condensation points of a liquid depend upon the
pressure exerted on it, e.g. the boiling point of carbon dioxide (C02) at
atmospheric pressure is about - 78C, by increasing the pressure the
temperature at which liquid C02 will vaporize is raised accordingly.

Operation of a vapour compression refrigeration system

In the past, many refrigerants have been employed in marine refriger10

ation plants including C02, ammonia and more recently the Freon, but
due to depletion of the ozone layer, more refined products are taking
over from Freon12.
Each refrigerant has specific qualities but the popular ones are those
having least ODP and less greenhouse potential. It is non-poisonous,
non corrosive and requires only a low working pressure to vaporize and
is probably the main one used in most remaining dedicated reefer
vessels.
Qualities of a good refrigerant
1.

A high thermal dynamic efficiency is required

2.

Low cost

3.

Low working pressure and low volume

4.

Non-toxic, non-inflammable and not explosive

5.

Easily available worldwide

6.

High critical temperature

7.

High value of latent heat

8.

Non-corrosive.

Refrigeration plant - monitoring system

In order to protect cargoes, continual monitoring of the refrigeration
machinery is a necessity. This can be achieved by the introduction of a
'Data Logging System' to monitor the relevant machinery and to the
adjoining compartments. With such a system in operation there is less
likelihood of damage because an earlier warning system would be
activated giving more time to provide corrective action before valuable
cargoes are affected by loss of the cooling element.
Sensors and transducers monitor the following points:
1.

Temperatures of the cargo compartment

2.

Temperature of the fan outlet, discharge air

3.

Brine temperatures entering and leaving the evaporator

4.

Compressor suction and compression discharge

5.

Seawater temperature

6.

External air temperature.

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Feedback of the sensed parameters is transmitted to the cargo control

room, the engine control station or the navigation bridge (alarm circuits
being established to 24 hour manned stations).
This following is the items of survey that a P&I club recommends. This
would also help you to assess the general condition of the refrigerated
compartments.
1.

Survey Questionnaire - Reefer Ship

1.1

Cargo spaces - General

Are cargo spaces suitable for the carriage of nominated cargoes?

Are bilges clean, non-return valves working and bilge pumps in

good working order?

Are the bilge-sounding procedures or system satisfactory?

Is the overall steel structure free from significant corrosion, pitting

scaling, buckling, dents, fractures wastage, doublers, temporary
repairs, etc.?

Are manhole covers in satisfactory condition?

Is the condition of pipe work (air sounding, bunker, ballast, etc.) in

holds or passing through the cargo spaces in satisfactory
condition?

Is cargo spaces ventilation in satisfactory condition?

Additional information.
1.2

Cargo spaces and systems - Reefer

Is cargo space separations (tween deck hatches, doors, etc. if
relevant) gas tight and in general satisfactory condition?

Are cargo holds insulation s lining and thermal seals in

satisfactory condition?

Are ventilation ducts s gratings in satisfactory condition?

Are all auxiliary engines and generators in satisfactory

condition and rated at full power?

If applicable, has class approved installation of additional

power packs onboard?
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Is all reefer machinery and auxiliary equipment in apparent

satisfactory working order?

Is insulation of machinery and piping in satisfactory

condition?

Is there sufficient spare refrigerant onboard for one full

charge?

Does the system run without exceptionally high refrigerant

consumption?

Is the Freon leakage detection system operational?

Is the pH and brine density regularly tested?

Is the automatic data logger and fixed and portable cargo

atmosphere monitoring equipment calibrated and in satisfactory
working condition?

Is the alarm recorder in satisfactory working condition?

1.3 Hatch Covers and other Closing Appliances General

Remarks

Are hull openings and their closing appliances structurally

sound and free of signs of water leakage?

Are cover panels correctly aligned?

Are compression bars landing pads, cleats and cross/joint

wedges in good condition?

Are rubber gaskets in good condition?

Are sides and cross joint drain channels and non return
devices in good condition?

Are opening/closing arrangements in good order?

Is hydraulic system in satisfactory condition?

Are hatch covers' and other relevant cover or door hinges in

satisfactory condition?

1.4

Cargo securing

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Are cell guides, if fitted, in satisfactory condition?

Are deck stanchions and fixed lashing points such as e.g. twist

lock sockets, elephant feet, U frames, D-rings, etc. in satisfactory

condition?

Is condition of lashing and securing equipment in satisfactory

condition and are sufficient numbers provided?

If utilized, are twist locks of same design (left and right)?

Are lashing maintenance records kept?

Additional information.
1.5

Safety and Operational test (were the following tests carried out
and found satisfactory?)

Engine room bilge high level alarms.

Emergency fire pumps on hydrant.

Emergency power sources and emergency lighting.

Engine room remote stops and shutdowns.

Tightness tests of relevant closing appliances.

Cargo hold bilge suction test.

Cargo holds high-level alarms.

Generator load test.

Cargo hold temperature sensor

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