At the beginning of the work, the emergence of shipping containers and the subsequent creation of container ships are described. The work late focuses on refrigerated containers. We can observe the chronological development of container ships from their inception to the present day, based on their size and cargo capacity. The general key aspects related to refrigerated containers are explained, including the physical phenomena during the working 36 cycle of a refrigerated container and the basic elements required for this cycle. The types of cargo transported in refrigerated containers are also described. The operation of two different types of containers (integral refrigerated containers and porthole containers) is explained, along with a comparison of those two types. Finally, the purpose, origin and development of ships for refrigerated cargo are discussed.