Refrigerated Cargo Hold Insulation & Retrofit
BreezeMarine provides complete engineering and restoration of thermal insulation systems for refrigerated cargo holds, freezer rooms and temperature-controlled spaces on board vessels.
We do not offer a single standard insulation arrangement. Each system is engineered individually according to the vessel, required cargo temperature, operating climate, existing steel structure and the Owner’s requirements — with insulation thickness, internal lining, protective coating and treatment of structural members adapted to the required thermal performance, durability and project budget.
A thermal insulation concept, before a single panel goes in
Before starting the work, our engineers develop a complete thermal insulation concept based on the actual vessel configuration and required operating conditions.
- Vessel and cargo hold inspection
- Assessment of existing insulation
- Thermodynamic and heat-transfer calculations
- Calculation and selection of insulation thickness
- Analysis and treatment of thermal bridges
- Insulation design for frames, stiffeners and structural members
- Design of cargo doors, ramps and other critical interfaces
- Selection of marine-approved insulation materials
- Internal lining and protective coating design
- Preparation of technical drawings and work procedures
Insulation and refrigeration operate as one thermal system
Reducing heat ingress into refrigerated spaces directly reduces the refrigeration load. Depending on the actual refrigeration plant capacity and operating conditions, improved insulation can also reduce the number of compressors required to operate simultaneously.
Variable insulation thickness
Insulation thickness is not fixed and is selected according to the required operating conditions, with additional insulation of frames, stiffeners and other structural members where required.
A continuous envelope around complex steel structure
For demanding refrigerated cargo applications, sprayed closed-cell polyurethane creates a continuous insulation envelope around complex steel structures and significantly reduces the number of joints and potential thermal bridges.
Steel hull structure
Closed-cell sprayed polyurethane insulation
Additional insulation of frames and stiffeners
Supporting structure
Marine-grade plywood / alternative lining system
Seamless protective coating
Example of engineering optimization
Existing insulation system
Engineered closed-cell PU system
Result: significantly increased thermal resistance and reduced heat transmission through the refrigerated space envelope.
Actual performance depends on the final construction, materials, thermal bridges and operating conditions.
Selected to Class requirements and project specification
Marine-certified insulation materials are selected according to the vessel’s Class requirements and project specification. For example, PUREX NG 0440 NS is a two-component rigid polyurethane foam designed for sprayed thermal insulation using specialized high-pressure equipment.
From bare steel to system verification
Removal / assessment of existing insulation
Steel surface preparation
Application of closed-cell PU insulation
Insulation of frames and structural members
Supporting structure installation
Marine-grade internal lining
Seamless protective coating
Insulated doors and critical interface solutions
Quality inspection and documentation
Refrigeration system performance verification
Insulation and refrigeration, evaluated together
A major advantage of BreezeMarine is combined expertise in thermal insulation and marine refrigeration. We evaluate the cargo hold insulation together with the refrigeration plant — compressors, evaporators, condensers, piping and control systems — designing the insulation not only as a structural refurbishment, but as part of the vessel’s complete refrigeration performance.
Planning a refrigerated cargo hold renewal?
Get in touch with one of our engineers