20' Reefer
Typical ISO code: 22R1
Practical reference values
- length
- ~5.45 m
- width
- ~2.29 m
- height
- ~2.15 m usable (up to the load line)
- volume
- ~28 m³ (~27 m³ usable)
- EUR pallets
- 10 EUR pallets
- payload
- ~25 t on the road (40 t, without genset)
The 20-foot reefer container has insulated walls and its own refrigeration unit, for chilled or frozen goods in smaller volumes. On the road it needs a generator set (genset) or a power supply, and the genset’s mass reduces the cargo that can be loaded.
Practical reference values. We confirm the exact dimensions in the quote. Honexpres organises transport with this vehicle, on request.
Shipping lines publish slightly different values; per-line values are in the detailed specifications. On the road, the cargo weight may be limited by the total combination mass (40 t).
Request a sea freight quote with this container Road haulage of the container from the port
How the pallets fit
Indicative Honexpres drawing generated from the reference dimensions. Not a manufacturer drawing.
How it is loaded
- through the end doors (forklift, pallet truck)
- Goods are loaded already at transport temperature.
- The available temperature range depends on the shipping line and the container.
- On the road it travels with a genset; tell us in advance so it is included.
Suitable for
- Frozen or chilled food in small volumes
- Pharmaceuticals
- High-value temperature-controlled goods
- frozen or chilled food
- pharma
- small temperature-controlled volumes
Not suitable for
- bulky cargo (smaller volume than a DV)
Comparison with related types
| Parameter | 20' Reefer | 40' Reefer High Cube | 20' Dry Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~5.45 m | ~11.6 m | ~5.9 m |
| Internal width | ~2.29 m | ~2.29 m | ~2.35 m |
| Internal height | ~2.15 m usable (up to the load line) | ~2.4 m usable (up to the load line) | ~2.39 m |
| Volume | ~28 m³ (~27 m³ usable) | ~67 m³ (~65 m³ usable) | ~33 m³ |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 10 EUR pallets | 23 EUR pallets | 11 EUR pallets |
| Reference payload | ~25 t on the road (40 t, without genset) | ~22 t on the road (40 t, without genset) | ~26 t on the road (40 t) |
Detailed specifications
Detailed specifications
| Parameter | Value | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~5.45 m | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF, S-HL-SPEC |
| Internal width | ~2.29 m | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF, S-HL-SPEC |
| Internal height | ~2.15 m usable (up to the load line) | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF, S-HL-SPEC |
| Volume | ~28 m³ (~27 m³ usable) | shipping line | S-CMA-RF, S-MAERSK-RF, S-HL-SPEC |
| Tare | ~3.0 t | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF |
| Container maximum payload | ~27.5 t | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF |
| Reference payload | ~25 t on the road (40 t, without genset) | Honexpres calculation | S-DAF-XFC410-FT, S-KRONE-BOX20 |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 10 EUR pallets | Honexpres calculation | |
| Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) | 9 industrial pallets | Honexpres calculation | |
| Door (width × height) | 2.29 × ~2.2 m | shipping line | S-MAERSK-RF, S-CMA-RF, S-HL-SPEC |
| Temperature | −30…+30 °C (usual; some lines −40 °C) | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP |
- Internal height: Maersk 2.167 m; CMA CGM 2.158 m; internal ~2.27 m.
- Tare: Maersk 2.99 t; CMA CGM 3.01 t; Hapag-Lloyd 2.77–3.03 t.
- Container maximum payload: Maersk 27.49 t; CMA CGM 27.47 t; Hapag-Lloyd 27.45–29.14 t.
- Reference payload: 40 − 7.3 − 3.4 − 3.0 = 26.3 t; minus 1 t. The clip-on genset lowers the value (its mass is UNVERIFIED).
- Door (width × height): Maersk 2.290 × 2.212 m; CMA CGM 2.290 × 2.264 m.
- Temperature: Hapag-Lloyd: −40…+30 °C (2016); Samskip, 45' reefer: −30…+30 °C.
Representative models (manufacturers and lines)
| Inside (mm) | 5,451 / 2,290 / 2,167 |
|---|---|
| Height to | load line |
| Door (mm) | 2,290 / 2,212 |
| Volume (m³) | 27 |
| Tare (kg) | 2,990 |
| Payload (kg) | 27,490 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 30,480 |
Source: Maersk — Our fleet: equipment specifications, reefer containers (PDF) · accessed 2026-09-26
| Inside (mm) | 5,456 / 2,294 / 2,273 |
|---|---|
| Usable height (mm) | 2,158 |
| Door (mm) | 2,290 / 2,264 |
| Volume nominal (m³) | 28.6 |
| Volume usable (m³) | 27.3 |
| Tare avg (kg) | 3,010 |
| Payload (kg) | 27,470 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 30,480 |
Source: CMA CGM Group — Reefer technical specifications · accessed 2026-09-26
| Inside length (mm) | 5,446 / 5,535 |
|---|---|
| Inside width (mm) | 2,280 / 2,316 |
| Max. stow height (mm) | 2,150 / 2,211 |
| Volume (m³) | 28.1 / 29.9 |
| Tare (kg) | 2,770 / 3,030 |
| Payload (kg) | 27,450 / 29,140 |
| Temperature c | -40 / 30 |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · accessed 2026-09-26
Legal limits Requires legal validation
Requires legal validation
- Maximum mass on the road: 40 t combination; 44 t intermodal (in Romania only on category R roads)
- Maximum height: 4.00 m on the road (container + chassis)
- Maximum gross mass (ISO): 36,000 kg ISO 668 (Amd. 2016); the real value is on the CSC plate
- VGM (verified gross mass): VGM mandatory for sea export (SOLAS VI/2, from 1 July 2016)
09 §1.1–1.2 (96/53, 2015/719) · 09 §1.4 (OG 43) · 09 §3.1 (ISO 668, CSC plate) · 09 §3.4 (VGM, SOLAS) · 09 §3.5 (road weights)
Exceptions and limitations
- On the road it needs a genset (clip-on or underslung) or a power socket; the mass of the genset is deducted from the cargo.
- Temperature: usually down to −30…−40 °C and up to +30 °C, depending on the line (Hapag-Lloyd −40…+30 °C, 2016).
- DSV and SeaRates differ a lot for the 20' RF (09 §3.2): we use the values of the shipping lines.
Sources and verification
Confidence level: high — Three lines (Maersk 2014, CMA CGM current, Hapag-Lloyd 2016) agree within ±10 cm.
- CMA CGM Group — Reefer technical specifications · CMA CGM Group · accessed 2026-09-26
- DAF XFC 410 FT 4x2 Tractor — specification sheet · DAF Trucks UK · accessed 2026-09-26
- Directive (EU) 2015/719 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Directive 96/53/EC, consolidated 14.08.2019 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · Hapag-Lloyd · accessed 2026-09-26
- IMO — Verification of the gross mass · IMO · accessed 2026-09-23
- Krone Box Liner SDC 27 eL20 (3 axles, 20') — datasheet · Krone · accessed 2026-09-23
- Maersk — Our fleet: equipment specifications, reefer containers (PDF) · Maersk · accessed 2026-09-26
- OG 43/1997 republished, consolidated 17.09.2026 (hosted by CNAIR) · CNAIR · accessed 2026-09-23
- Samskip — Equipment: details and internal dimensions · Samskip (multimodal / short-sea operator) · accessed 2026-09-26
- Wikipedia — Intermodal container (cites ISO 668) · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-23
Reference dataset 2026.09.27-1
Who sets the container temperature?
The temperature is requested at booking and set by the line before the empty container is released. See temperature-controlled transport.
Services using this type
Temperature-controlled transport
controlled temperature all the way
Sea freight (FCL / LCL)
full containers (FCL) or groupage (LCL)
Alternatives
40' Reefer High Cube
~11.6 m · ~2.29 m · ~2.4 m usable (up to the load line) · ~67 m³ (~65 m³ usable) · 23 EUR pallets · ~22 t on the road (40 t, without genset)
20' Dry Van
~5.9 m · ~2.35 m · ~2.39 m · ~33 m³ · 11 EUR pallets · ~26 t on the road (40 t)