TCS can accommodate over 1,300 reefer containers

Vehicle Booking System Daily Operations VBS News Page DP World Forth Ports ABP

Reefer Specialisation

Frozen and refrigerated cargoes have long been TCS’ specialist area and the terminal acts as the UK hub for temperature controlled foodstuffs. The facility, which can accommodate almost 1,400 reefer containers, handles a wide range of perishable and frozen fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and seafood, as well as confectionery, high quality wines, pharmaceuticals and specialized chemical products.  Whilst some of these cargoes are exported from the UK, the overwhelming majority are imported from Latin America, Oceania, West & South Africa, North America and the Mediterranean.
TCS’ refrigerated cargo expertise began when the terminal was originally opened in the late 1960s, originally with blown air refrigerated boxes (also known as conairs) from Australia and New Zealand.  This reefer expertise was retained in the transition to plug in (integral) reefer boxes, which brought far more flexibility to customers and allowed cargoes to be transported within a temperature range from +18 to – 25 degrees celsius.  More recently, the terminal has become accustomed to handling specialised temperature controlled equipment such as controlled atmosphere containers.   

A state-of-the-art monitoring system is also in place, so that any boxes fitted with the appropriate modem can be monitored remotely; in addition to the established physical checks which are undertaken by the terminal’s reefer technicians. 

The terminal has its own Border Inspection Post, with UK Border, City of London Port Health, DEFRA and FERA all maintaining their respective examination facilities.  The facility is fully approved and complies with the provisions of EU veterinary directives for the importation of animal products. Several cold rooms enable refrigerated containers to be inspected whilst maintaining the integrity of the cargo at all times.

Reefer containers