Before containers all reefer cargo was just carried in refrigerated holds.
If you have bananas as a cargo you have two problems , continous air change ( to remove CO2 ) and removal of water from cooling the air and the sweating of the cargo.
If bananas are now carried in containers how do they...
A Grace Line ship unloading bananas in New York. The bananas comes ashore on a conveyor belt, a sling of coffee is brought ashore by the ship's cargo-gear. Fifties.