Refrigerated cargo vessels—commonly called reefer ships—are engineered to maintain controlled-temperature holds for perishable commodities such as fresh fruit, meat, dairy, and pharmaceuticals, distinguishing them from general dry-cargo vessels by their insulated hull sections and onboard refrigeration machinery. Their role in cold-chain logistics makes them critical infrastructure for US agricultural imports, particularly for tropical fruits and chilled meat shipments from Southern Hemisphere suppliers. Customs classification turns on the vessel's primary design for refrigerated (rather than frozen or ambient) carriage, and importers should note that the Jones Act applies to reefer vessels just as it does to other commercial ships, restricting foreign-built vessels from US domestic port-to-port service.

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