Our Reefer Services
Looking for peace of mind when shipping temperature-sensitive goods?
A2B-online now operates a new generation of advanced reefer containers, designed to maintain perfect conditions for chilled and frozen cargo. From pick-up to final delivery, your products stay protected, ensuring quality and consistency throughout the entire journey.
A2B-online operates high-frequency short sea services on fixed routes between the Continent and the United Kingdom.
Our reliable sailing schedule gives you full control over your shipments, ensuring minimal delays and consistent transit times.
Own Assets
A2B-online operates its own fleet of vessels, barges, trucks, and reefer containers.
This end-to-end control allows us to manage the entire logistics chain in-house, ensuring the highest standards in quality, safety, and service.
Our customers benefit from dedicated support and direct communication.
With a single point of contact and proactive service, A2B-online delivers quick responses and practical solutions — just as you’d expect.
Sustainable transport
Energy-efficient
Thanks to more efficient engines and improved insulation, our latest reefers consume significantly less energy. This leads to lower operational costs and helps reduce the overall environmental footprint.
Less Food Waste
Consistent temperature control throughout the entire transport process preserves product quality, freshness, and shelf life. This minimizes food waste and enhances delivery reliability.
Clean Power, Even at Standstill
Our reefers are equipped with electric propulsion and can, where possible, be powered by solar panels or shore power while in port. This reduces emissions during idle times and lowers reliance on fossil fuels.
Flexible Across Every Mode
Thanks to their Intermodal compatibility, our reefers switch seamlessly between road, barge, and shortsea transport. This enables more efficient logistics, fewer delays, and reduced CO₂ emissions — combining reliability with sustainability at every stage of the supply chain.
Intermodal compatibility
Our reefers are fully compatible with shortsea, road, and barge transport, allowing seamless transitions between modalities.
Read more about our Intermodal Services
Michael van Maurik, General Manager Transport & Logistics
What are reefers?
Reefers are temperature-controlled containers with their own cooling system, designed to maintain a constant temperature throughout transport. They are used for temperature-sensitive goods, ranging from frozen products to items that need protection from the cold.
Reefers are commonly used for transporting:
- Food products: meat, fish, dairy, fresh produce (potatoes, vegetables, fruit), chocolate
- Pharmaceuticals: vaccines, medicines, laboratory materials
- Flowers & plants: sensitive to temperature changes
- Chemicals: requiring specific temperatures for safe handling
Which temperature settings are possible in your reefers?
Our 45 ft reefer containers can be set precisely for both chilled and frozen cargo, ranging from -25°C to +25°C.
How is the temperature monitored during the crossing?
Our units are equipped with advanced track-and-trace systems and remote monitoring. This enables us to monitor the temperature and status of your shipment 24/7, both on the vessel and on the road.
Is a 45ft reefer the same size as a standard trailer?
Yes, in terms of capacity, our 45 ft reefer container is comparable to a standard refrigerated trailer (33 euro pallets). However, the major advantage is its intermodal flexibility, which ensures more efficient and often more sustainable logistics.
Do you also assist with customs formalities for refrigerated products (SPS goods)?
Absolutely. Products of animal or plant origin are subject to strict rules (SPS). Our own customs brokers specialize in this matter and guide the entire process, ensuring your cargo clears UK customs without delay.
What is the frequency of your sailings for reefers?
We sail on fixed routes with high frequency between terminals in the Netherlands (Rotterdam and Moerdijk) and various UK ports: Tilbury, Teesport, and Immingham. This enables us to guarantee just-in-time deliveries essential for your products.
What happens if my cargo is selected for a physical inspection at the UK border?
No panic! Because we use fixed terminals and maintain close ties with the UK authorities, we know exactly where your reefer needs to go for an inspection. Our customs experts monitor this process in real time and inform you immediately about any delays, allowing the receiver’s schedule to be adjusted accordingly.
Can you also handle combined loads (groupage) in reefers?
Our primary focus is on Full Container Loads (FCL).
Are your reefers suitable for high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals?
Certainly, our 45ft reefers are of the latest generation and offer the stability required for GDP guidelines (Good Distribution Practice).
How do you handle seasonal peaks?
That is the strength of our network. Because we operate our own vessels and have a large fleet of our own containers, we can act faster than parties relying on external shipping lines. However, we do advise sharing your forecast early during seasonal peaks so we can reserve capacity for you.
What is the advantage of a 45 ft reefer compared to a 13.6-meter trailer?
Basically, the dimensions are virtually identical and both fit 33 euro pallets. The main difference lies in robustness and intermodal flexibility. A container is better able to withstand the forces at sea and can switch more easily between ship and truck, which reduces the risk of damage to your sensitive refrigerated cargo.
Do you also offer plug-in facilities at the terminals?
Yes, at our strategic hubs such as Moerdijk and the arrival terminals in the UK, we have sufficient power points available. This ensures your shipment remains connected to power even while waiting on the quay!
Contact our Sales Team for tailored advice and/or a quote for your reefer container transport.