---
title: "20ft Reefers"
description: "20ft refrigerated shipping containers are available to hire in London. Ideal for temperature-sensitive cargo, they meet storage and transportation requirements."
url: "https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/hire-containers/20ft-refrigerated"
date: "2026-04-21T16:14:09+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

![20ft reefer Container](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/images/containerimages/Refrigerated-Container-London4.jpg)

# 20ft Refrigerated Container Hire in London

For London’s food distributors, event planners, and pharmaceutical companies, maintaining an unbroken cold chain is not optional; it is a critical operational requirement. **Shipping Containers of London** provides high-specification 20ft refrigerated containers (commonly known as 'reefers') for hire, offering an immediate and reliable solution to cold storage constraints.

Whether you require temporary overflow capacity for a wholesale market in **Nine Elms**, additional freezer space for a catering event in **Hyde Park**, or secure pharmaceutical storage in **White City**, our fleet is ready for rapid deployment. We deliver precise, temperature-controlled environments directly to your premises, removing the need for costly off-site warehousing.

 ## Precision Climate Control on Your Doorstep

Our hire fleet consists of modern, energy-efficient units designed to perform in demanding environments. Unlike standard insulation, these containers utilise active refrigeration machinery to maintain a set temperature with pinpoint accuracy.

- **Wide Temperature Range:** Our units can maintain internal temperatures between -25°C and +25°C, making them suitable for deep-frozen goods, chilled produce, or ambient-controlled pharmaceuticals.
- **Hygiene Standards:** Interiors are lined with food-grade stainless steel and aluminium, ensuring easy cleaning and compliance with strict health and safety regulations.
- **Financial Flexibility:** Renting allows you to scale your storage capacity up or down seasonally without the significant capital expenditure of purchasing a permanent cold store.

  ## Technical Specifications and Features

When you hire a 20ft reefer from us, you receive a unit engineered for reliability and safety.

- **Dimensions:** The 20ft unit offers approximately 1,000 cubic feet of storage space within a footprint of 20ft x 8ft. This compact size allows it to fit into standard parking bays or loading docks.
- **T-Bar Flooring:** The floor is constructed from aluminium T-bars. This design is crucial as it allows cold air to circulate underneath the cargo, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing 'hot spots' within the load.
- **Safety Mechanisms:** All our hire units are fitted with internal emergency door releases, panic alarms, and internal lighting to ensure the safety of your staff.
- **Security:** The heavy-duty container doors are fully lockable and weatherproof, providing robust protection against theft and the elements.

 ![A white reefer shipping container with a blue machinery section, located in a port area with other containers around.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london11_original.jpg)

 ![A white shipping container with specifications, placed among other shipping containers at a docking area.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london10_original.jpg)

 ![An open shipping container with an empty interior, surrounded by stacked containers in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london9_original.jpg)

 ![A stack of shipping containers in a storage area, with clear blue skies and a nearby wall.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london8_original.jpg)

 ![Three stacked white shipping containers against a blue sky, with a logo partially visible in the foreground.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london7_original.jpg)

 ![Two shipping containers are parked closely together, displaying various cargo specifications and safety warnings.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london6_original.jpg)

 ![Two shipping containers stand side by side, displaying labels and caution signs in a bright, sunny setting.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london5_original.jpg)

 ![A Thermo King refrigeration unit inside a shipping container, with warning labels and control panel visible.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london4_original.jpg)

 ![An empty, dark cargo space with ridged flooring and smooth walls, illuminated faintly.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london3_original.jpg)

 ![A large white shipping container at a port, with a clear blue sky overhead and another container in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london2_original.jpg)

 ![A white shipping container beside other stacked containers under a blue sky, featuring safety labels and details.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london1_original.jpg)

 ![A white shipping container stands in an industrial area, with other containers visible in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/Refrigerated-containers-london_original.jpg)

![A white reefer shipping container with a blue machinery section, located in a port area with other containers around.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london11_original.jpg)

![A white shipping container with specifications, placed among other shipping containers at a docking area.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london10_original.jpg)

![An open shipping container with an empty interior, surrounded by stacked containers in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london9_original.jpg)

![A stack of shipping containers in a storage area, with clear blue skies and a nearby wall.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london8_original.jpg)

![Three stacked white shipping containers against a blue sky, with a logo partially visible in the foreground.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london7_original.jpg)

![Two shipping containers are parked closely together, displaying various cargo specifications and safety warnings.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london6_original.jpg)

![Two shipping containers stand side by side, displaying labels and caution signs in a bright, sunny setting.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london5_original.jpg)

![A Thermo King refrigeration unit inside a shipping container, with warning labels and control panel visible.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london4_original.jpg)

![An empty, dark cargo space with ridged flooring and smooth walls, illuminated faintly.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london3_original.jpg)

![A large white shipping container at a port, with a clear blue sky overhead and another container in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london2_original.jpg)

![A white shipping container beside other stacked containers under a blue sky, featuring safety labels and details.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london1_original.jpg)

![A white shipping container stands in an industrial area, with other containers visible in the background.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/176/thumb/Refrigerated-containers-london_original.jpg)

  ## Installation and Power Requirements

To ensure a seamless hire experience, it is vital to prepare your site correctly. Our logistical team will guide you through this process.

1. **Power Supply:** The standard 20ft reefer requires a 3-phase, 32-amp, 415V power supply with a 5-pin CEE plug (earth, neutral, and three phases). If your site only has single-phase power, please inform us immediately, as we may be able to supply a specifically modified unit or advise on generator hire.
2. **Ground Conditions:** The container must be placed on a hard, level surface. This is essential not only for the delivery vehicle but also to ensure the machinery operates correctly and the doors open smoothly.
3. **Professional Delivery:** We utilise HIAB crane lorries to offload the container. Please ensure there is adequate clearance for the vehicle to access your site.

  ## Sector-Specific Applications

Our refrigerated containers support a diverse range of industries across the capital:

- **Event Catering:** Essential for keeping food and beverages chilled at festivals, weddings, and corporate events.
- **Retail Seasonal Overflow:** Used by supermarkets and butchers during peak periods like Christmas to store turkeys and fresh produce.
- **Floristry:** Vital for maintaining the longevity of cut flowers at markets such as **New Covent Garden**.
- **Medical and Scientific:** Secure storage for temperature-sensitive compounds and medical supplies.

  ## Frequently Asked Questions

#### How much does it cost to rent a 20ft refrigerated container?

Rental rates depend on the duration of the hire and your location within London or the Home Counties. Short-term hires typically carry a higher weekly rate than long-term contracts. Delivery and collection fees are calculated based on the mileage from our depot. Please [request a quote](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/container-quote) for an accurate price.

#### Do I need a 3-phase power supply?

Yes, the majority of high-performance reefers require a 3-phase, 32-amp supply. This industrial-grade power ensures the machinery can handle the load of cooling a 20ft steel box. Single-phase units exist but are rarer and less powerful; we can discuss generator options if 3-phase power is not available on your site.

#### Are the containers noisy?

Modern refrigeration units are relatively quiet, but they do generate a hum similar to that of a large air conditioning unit or an idling lorry engine. If you plan to place the unit in a residential area, please consider the noise impact on neighbours, especially at night.

#### What happens if the machinery breaks down?

We offer a breakdown service for our rental fleet. In the unlikely event of a mechanical failure, we will send an engineer to repair the unit. We recommend that all clients insure their goods, as we cannot accept liability for their contents.

#### Can I use a reefer for both frozen and chilled storage?

No. The container operates at a single set-point temperature. It functions as a single large climate-controlled room. If you need both frozen and chilled storage, you would need to hire two separate containers or use internal thermal partitions (which we can advise on).

  [Container Quote](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/container-quote)

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