Refrigerated transportation, or ‘cold logistics’, is vital for safely storing and moving temperature-sensitive goods like food, dairy products, medicine, and tech parts. Multiple industries rely on it to safely deliver perishables and other items.
The unique nature of refrigerated delivery, its vast scale, and its diverse applications open it up to several challenges.
For instance, cold logistics in urban areas present significant hurdles due to traffic congestion and the resulting delays that can spoil perishable items. On the other hand, poor infrastructure and long travel distances make timely deliveries difficult in remote and less-populated areas.
Rising fuel prices complicate matters further, as refrigerated freight requires a significant amount of energy to maintain cooling systems. The growing demand for refrigerated transportation also strains electrical infrastructure and increases emissions.
Using a freight broker can be a smart solution for industries like food, pharmaceuticals, retail, and floral. Refrigerated freight brokers handle the complexities of refrigerated (also called ‘reefer’) transportation by vetting carriers to ensure optimal deliveries.
Overview of Refrigerated Transportation
Refrigerated transportation uses specially designed trailers equipped with cooling systems to maintain controlled temperatures for sensitive goods.
These trailers contain advanced refrigeration units, insulation, and temperature monitors to keep products like food, pharmaceuticals, and flowers fresh. They come in different shapes and sizes, including straight trucks and semi-trailers, each suited for different cargo sizes and distances.
Unlike dry vans, which transport non-perishable items, reefer vans have additional equipment and maintenance needs that increase their operating costs. Interestingly, refrigerated vans were scarce in 2020-21 but became as common as dry vans by 2022 and the first half of 2023.
Despite rising shipping costs, the demand for reefer transport services remains high.
Industries Relying on Refrigerated Transportation
Refrigerated transportation is essential for multiple industries, beyond the obvious food sector.
Pharmaceutical companies use it to transport medicines and vaccines while maintaining quality and extending shelf life. The floral industry, likewise, relies on refrigerated transportation to keep flowers fresh from harvest to delivery.
Chemicals also need cold logistics to prevent degradation or reactions. Consumer goods like cosmetics and candles often require temperature-controlled transport to maintain quality.
Finally, research labs use refrigerated transport to ensure biological samples and experimental materials remain stable for accurate results.
Common Challenges in Refrigerated Transportation
Standard logistics challenges are compounded in refrigerated transportation by the need to preserve the quality and integrity of products that are often perishable, temperature-sensitive, or delicate.
Here are some common challenges end users face:
- Identifying Reliable Carriers: The first order of importance is finding carriers that consistently meet refrigerated delivery standards. If carriers lack the experience, proper training, or necessary facilities, issues such as uneven temperature control and delayed deliveries can arise. Inadequate handling practices may lead to unhygienic conditions and potential safety concerns.
- Temperature Control: Maintaining consistent temperature throughout the route is a key requirement. Any lapse in this aspect, such as leaving products on the dock too long before loading, can lead to spillage or spoilage. This is a particularly sensitive requirement for pharmaceuticals and chemicals, where even brief exposure to unsuitable temperatures can compromise product quality.
- Monitoring and Tracking: Real-time monitoring is a must to ensure temperatures and conditions inside refrigerated trailers remain within safe ranges at all times. Advanced tracking technology helps detect issues early on and prevent potential spoilage or compliance violations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to regulations adds layers of complexity to refrigerated transportation. That could include Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for refrigerated food transport or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations on the safe storage and transport of medicines and vaccines. Non-compliance with temperature documentation or handling procedures can result in fines and legal issues.
- Equipment Reliability: Refrigerated units must function correctly throughout the journey to prevent failures. Equipment malfunctions can lead to rapid spoilage of goods. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are therefore essential to avoid costly losses and ensure continuous temperature control.
- Pre-shipment Preparation: Proper storage before shipment is another important aspect of refrigerated transportation freight management. Pre-shipment preparation ensures items are stored at optimal temperatures to eliminate the risk of spoilage. Poorly prepared goods can degrade while awaiting shipment, leading to significant quality and safety concerns upon arrival.
- Supply Chain Coordination: Efficient supply chain coordination is vital as perishable products have limited shelf lives. Delays in transportation or poor timing can result in wasted goods and financial losses. Fresh produce, for instance, requires precise timing to ensure it reaches markets before spoiling. Such deliveries call for tight coordination between all supply chain participants.
- Cost: High fuel prices for reefer transportation increase operational costs. The need for continuous cooling drives up fuel consumption and impacts overall transportation expenses. Maintaining cost-efficiency while ensuring consistent temperature control becomes a significant financial challenge when fuel costs are high.
- Seasonality: Seasonal variations and weather changes also affect refrigerated transport. Demand surges during peak produce seasons can make managing logistics more challenging. Adapting to seasonal weather changes also requires adjustments in transportation strategies to maintain optimal conditions.
WSI boasts extensive experience and unparalleled expertise in refrigerated transportation. Our deep-rooted knowledge of the industry enables us to navigate the complexities of maintaining optimal conditions for temperature-sensitive cargo. By proactively addressing common challenges such as product preparation, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance, WSI ensures seamless and reliable delivery of your perishable goods.
Additional Concerns in Reefer Transportation
Beyond the challenges discussed above, refrigerated transport involves several other issues that are often overlooked:
- Proper Packaging: Using inadequate packaging of refrigerated goods can lead to spoilage or contamination. Products must be wrapped in materials designed to maintain freshness in cold temperatures to preserve quality throughout transit.
- Staff Training: Proper handling of perishable goods requires specialized training. Staff must be skilled in maintaining the required conditions and managing potential issues to prevent mishandling and ensure product integrity.
Navigating the challenges of refrigerated transportation can be daunting.
A freight broker can significantly streamline operations by connecting you with pre-vetted carriers who specialize in temperature-sensitive cargo and possess the necessary expertise. This approach not only helps reduce costs but also ensures better carrier performance and efficient tracking.
WSI’s Freight Solutions is a transportation brokerage service that comes with extensive experience in refrigerated transportation. Our expertise equips us to tackle common challenges of cold logistics brokerage effectively while securing optimal rates.
We evaluate carriers rigorously to ensure they meet regulatory standards and are both reliable and reputed.
Partner with WSI to benefit from our advanced transportation network and focus on what your business does best. Contact us today to streamline your reefer transportation and achieve greater efficiency.
