/ar/lp/blog/technology/ireefer-tool-how-to-guide
How MSC iReefer is Transforming your Cold Chain
21/08/2025
Key Takeaways:
- MSC iReefer provides continuous, real-time monitoring of refrigerated cargo to ensure your cargo remains safe, compliant, and fresh throughout transit.
- With Essential (free), Pro, and Ultimate packages, MSC iReefer offers scalable features to meet the needs of all our customers.
- By combining cellular (GSM) and satellite communication, MSC iReefer guarantees uninterrupted data transmission, enabling you to access your data 24/7.
Today, freshness, safety, and compliance aren’t just important when shipping reefer cargo; they’re critical.
As a business, whether you’re shipping fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, pharmaceuticals, or speciality chemicals, you need to know your cargo has been transported in the correct conditions that ensure it is fully compliant, stays fresh, and is safe to use or consume.
Attaining this level of information was not possible with traditional reefer monitoring systems, where blind spots and uncertainty were the norm.
Not only did this make it difficult to prevent temperature fluctuations from causing damage to perishable cargo, but it also made processing insurance claims and assigning accountability difficult when problems did occur. Then all manual checks required for compliance with cold chain standards could also be laborious and ultimately cost you time and money.
That’s why we developed MSC iReefer — a smart reefer solution designed to provide real-time monitoring of parameters like temperature, humidity, and container status etc for your cargo, accessible via myMSC or through API integrations.
Indicating even the smallest fluctuations in temperature, our MSC iReefer solution is designed to help you reduce spoilage, ensure compliance, and deliver your goods in perfect condition every time.
That’s why we developed MSC iReefer — a smart reefer solution designed to provide real-time monitoring of parameters like temperature, humidity, and container status etc for your cargo, accessible via myMSC or through API integrations.
Indicating even the smallest fluctuations in temperature, our MSC iReefer solution is designed to help you reduce spoilage, ensure compliance, and deliver your goods in perfect condition every time.
MSC iReefer: The Coolest Way to
Track Your Reefer Cargo
With over 210,000 reefer containers and more than 500 of our vessels equipped with the technology, MSC iReefer is being adopted by businesses around the world on a daily basis.
Each reefer container is integrated with an IoT device that continuously captures telemetry data (including internal temperature and GPS location), which is transmitted via a combination of cellular networks (GSM) and satellite communication to ensure you have seamless coverage of your cargo.
When your iReefer container is in range of cellular towers, you’ll receive real-time updates. While at sea, satellite connectivity takes over, utilizing the vessel’s antenna, to maintain an uninterrupted data flow. Because of this dual-mode transmission, even if communication is interrupted (for instance due to location), your data flow is not. Instead, this advanced system will store the data and communicate it to you once your connection is restored.
This offers you better peace of mind than traditional reefer monitoring systems. Other benefits of the MSC iReefer solution include:
- Enhanced security.
- Advanced temperature control ensures optimal conditions for sensitive cargo.
- Increased efficiency and cost savings thanks to data-driven insights.
- Greater transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Accessible 24/7 via myMSC, MSC’s secure eBusiness platform.
This offers you better peace of mind than traditional reefer monitoring systems. Other benefits of the MSC iReefer solution include:
- Enhanced security.
- Advanced temperature control ensures optimal conditions for sensitive cargo.
- Increased efficiency and cost savings thanks to data-driven insights.
- Greater transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Accessible 24/7 via myMSC, MSC’s secure eBusiness platform.
MSC iReefer Packages 101
At MSC, we understand that your needs may be different than others’. Our three MSC iReefer packages, Essential, Pro, and Ultimate are designed to meet the specific requirements of your business.
|
Package |
Ideal For |
Visibility Channel |
Booking Channel |
Key Features |
|
Essential |
All reefer customers |
myMSC |
Not by Request |
Basic Telemetry (Temp setpoint, ambient temp. T&T) 12 hr update |
|
Pro |
Customers in need of enhanced visibility |
myMSC |
Option 1: Request at the time of booking: On myMSC (*)
|
Additional Telemetry: 12 hr to 1 hr update
|
|
Option 2: Upgrade Essential to Pro: On myMSC |
||||
|
Ultimate |
Medium to Large BCOs or 3PL with system integration needs |
API Integration |
Contract based subscription: Via MSC Agency |
Full telemetry as above via API, real-time push to customer systems |
(*) For your bookings on a Channel other than myMSC (option 1), make sure to mention your request for iReefer Pro.
There is also the GDP/FSM add-on to our Pro or Ultimate solutions, which is ideal for regulated industries requiring compliance. Used for shipping food and beverages (FSM) or pharmaceuticals (GDP), for an additional fee, you’ll receive 24/7 MSC Control Tower monitoring, compliance protocols, and an end-of-trip report.
Booking the MSC iReefer Pro in myMSC
Either for new or existing booking, upgrading to MSC iReefer Pro is easy! See below the steps for your shipments booked in myMSC (option 2).
Step 1:
Log in or Create a myMSC Account
- Access MSC iReefer via the myMSC eBusiness platform.
- Already have an account? Just log in.
- Or create an account easily in just a few steps
Step 2:
Book a New Shipment and Upgrade to PRO
When it comes to booking future shipments, you can use myMSC to create an eBooking. Then, at the summary stage, simply check the option to upgrade to MSC iReefer PRO.
Step 3:
Confirm and Submit Your Booking
Once you’ve made your changes, hit ‘submit’ to finalize your booking and purchase the iReefer PRO solution. You’ll receive an email confirmation, and your MSC agency will assign the iReefer unit to your cargo.
Step 4:
Enjoy Instant PRO Visibility
Once assigned, you’ll get access to PRO features, including:
- Enhanced tracking and shipment visibility
- Real-time updates via myMSC
Step 1:
Log in to your myMSC Account
Step 2:
Choose your Upgrade
- Once in myMSC’s iReefer section, you’ll see some of your reefer shipments already with Essential visibility due to our freemium offering.
- From there, you can choose to upgrade to the Pro packages.
Step 3:
Enjoy Enhanced Visibility
Once you have chosen the Pro or Ultimate packages assigned, you’ll get access to additional features, including:
- Enhanced tracking and shipment visibility.
- Real-time updates via myMSC.
Need Full Integration? Go Ultimate
For large to medium or global customers who are looking for sophisticated tracking solutions, the MSC iReefer Ultimate offers full telemetry and API integration for direct data flow. Including temperature, GPS, humidity, Cole Treatment (CT), Controlled Atmosphere (CA), and USDA probe data, you’ll have access to any data you require for your cold chain logistics.
Not sure which package you need? Contact your MSC agency today. We will work with you to understand and set up the best solution for your ERP and system integration needs.
Ask MSC
We understand that in today’s high-stakes logistics environment, visibility and control are no longer optional; they’re crucial. That’s why we continue to invest in cutting-edge digital tools like MSC iReefer, so that we can meet your evolving needs across industries.
Whether you're shipping fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, or high-value perishables, MSC iReefer offers you real-time insights, enhanced security, and full transparency. This helps you to ensure that your cargo arrives in optimal condition, every time. With flexible packages tailored to your business, from Free, to Pro, to Ultimate, there’s a smart reefer option for every need and budget.
Ready to take control of your cold chain? Log in to myMSC, upgrade your visibility, and experience the peace of mind that comes with shipping smarter.
Because at MSC, we aren’t just moving containers—we are Moving the World, Together.
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Learn MoreFAQs
What is MSC iReefer?
MSC iReefer is a reefer container equipped with an IoT (Internet of Things) device to collect and transmit data.
How Does MSC iReefer Work?
Each iReefer container is equipped with an IoT device that continuously captures telemetry data, including internal temperature, humidity, GPS location, and other parameters. This data is transmitted using cellular networks (GSM) when in range, and satellite communication when the container is in remote areas or at sea — always ensuring uninterrupted monitoring.
What if the Connection is Lost?
MSC iReefer uses a dual-mode communication system to avoid data loss. If the container moves out of range of a GSM (cellular) network, satellite communication takes over, allowing the data flow to continue without interruption. This ensures you always have access to current cargo data, regardless of where the container is located.
What are the benefits of MSC iReefer?
MSC iReefer offers a range of benefits over traditional reefer monitoring systems, including:
- Real-time visibility of cargo temperature, humidity, and position.
- Reduced risk of spoilage and cargo damage.
- Enhanced security and accountability.
- Greater compliance with cold chain and regulatory standards.
- Time and cost savings from fewer manual checks.
- 24/7 access via myMSC or system-to-system API (Ultimate package).
- Customizable packages (Essential, Pro, Ultimate) to meet your business needs.