Refrigerated transport is a crucial aspect of modern logistics. It ensures the delivery of products at the required and correct temperature to maintain the freshness and quality of the goods. This type of transport is particularly important for food and perishable products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other temperature-sensitive items.

What is temperature controlled freight?

Refrigerated freight transport refers to the transportation of goods using specialized vehicles equipped with cooling systems. These systems maintain the required temperature throughout the journey, which is essential not only during hot weather but also in cold conditions.

Which Industries Especially Require Refrigerated Freight Transport?

Refrigerated transport is in high demand across various industries where maintaining temperature control is not just a recommendation but a mandatory condition:

• Food industry: meat, dairy products, fish, frozen and chilled goods.

• Pharmaceuticals: medicines, vaccines, and biomaterials sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

• Cosmetics and household chemicals: formulations that lose their properties when overheated or overcooled.

• Flowers, plants, and seeds: requiring a stable microclimate during transportation.

• Certain types of hazardous goods: which also require temperature monitoring.

Key challenges in temperature controlled freight

Maintaining a stable temperature throughout the entire route

Even a minor deviation from the required temperature can lead to the spoilage of goods. Therefore, temperature monitoring must occur throughout the entire journey, including loading, transport, and unloading.

Monitoring and quality control of transported goods

Modern systems allow real-time tracking of your goods, including temperature, humidity, and geolocation. This is especially important for transporting perishable goods, where even slight deviations can result in losses.

Cost optimization while maintaining the highest service quality

The customers expect services to be not only reliable but also cost-effective. Implementing optimized routes, consolidating shipments, and selecting the right vehicles help reduce costs while maintaining a high level of service.

Environmental impact and technologies reducing CO₂ emissions

Modern refrigerated transport increasingly includes solutions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint: energy-efficient refrigeration units, minimal mileage routes, and adherence to CO₂ emission standards.

Organizing temperature controlled freight in the supply chain

Effective delivery of products in temperature-controlled conditions requires a comprehensive approach:

• Selection of vehicles suited to the type of refrigerated cargo.

• Real-time monitoring of transport parameters.

• Preparation of all necessary documentation.

• Adherence to regulations, including hazardous goods rules, if applicable.

• Compliance with international and national standards for transporting goods with temperature control.

Types of Goods Requiring Temperature Control

• Chilled and frozen products and food.

• Dairy and meat products.

• Medicines, vaccines.

• Cosmetics and household chemicals.

• Plants and flowers.

• Other temperature-sensitive goods.

Technologies and Solutions Used in Refrigerated Freight Transport

To ensure reliability and accuracy, the following technologies are employed:

• Multimodal refrigerated units.

• Temperature and humidity sensors.

• GPS monitoring systems.

• Isothermal packaging.

• Digital data transmission and automatic deviation recording.

Regulations and Standards Governing Temperature-Controlled Transportation

The transportation of goods requiring specific temperature conditions is governed by a range of international and national standards that ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of goods at every stage of the supply chain. Adhering to these standards is crucial for the proper and safe transport of sensitive goods.

1. International Standards:

   • HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points): A food safety management system that monitors temperature, humidity, and other factors affecting food safety throughout its production and transport stages.

   • GDP (Good Distribution Practice): Regulations governing the distribution of medical products, including medicines, vaccines, and biomaterials. These standards demand strict temperature control during transportation.

   • ISO 22000: An international standard for food safety management systems, which includes requirements for transporting temperature-sensitive food products, including cargo vehicles and packaging.

2. National Regulations: Each country has specific temperature control requirements for different categories of goods. For example, strict laws govern temperature fluctuations in refrigerated transport for pharmaceuticals and food products in the EU. Similar regulations exist in Russia, Kazakhstan, and other countries for the transportation of pharmaceutical products, food, chemicals, etc.

3. Special Considerations for Hazardous Goods: Hazardous goods transported with temperature control require adherence to additional standards and regulations. Such goods, including chemicals, flammable materials, or toxic substances, require special transport conditions to maintain the desired temperature and prevent risks to the environment and human health.

4. Packaging and Labeling Requirements: Proper packaging is crucial for goods requiring temperature control, ensuring their integrity under specific temperature conditions. Packaging must also be labeled to track transportation conditions and ensure compliance with all regulations. This may include special containers, isothermal packaging, and monitoring systems with temperature sensors.

5. Monitoring and Documentation: An important requirement is the availability of necessary documentation confirming compliance with transport conditions. This includes temperature reports at all stages of delivery, certificates of conformity, and other accompanying documents verifying that the goods were transported according to established norms.

Temperature controlled freight with AsstrA – comprehensive solutions for your business

AsstrA, an international logistics provider, offers a full range of services for refrigerated transport, providing complete support at all stages – from selecting the optimal route to monitoring temperature and delivery times.

By partnering with AsstrA, you gain:

• A lztailored approach to each project.

• Reliable solutions and experienced logistics experts.

• Precise temperature control.

• Transparency at every stage of your freight's journey.

Refrigerated freight transport with AsstrA means trust, reliability, and the highest standards of quality.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Refrigerated Transport

What is refrigerated transport?

Refrigerated transport is the shipping of temperature controlled freight using specialized trucks or containers. This method ensures that perishable products and frozen goods maintain the correct temperature from origin to destination, preserving product quality throughout the supply chain.

Why is refrigerated transport important?

It's crucial for moving perishable goods, frozen products, and fresh produce that require strict temperature control. Without refrigerated transport, customer satisfaction and product safety can be compromised, especially in industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and floral distribution.

How do carriers maintain the correct temperature during delivery?

Carriers use refrigerated trucks with monitoring systems to track internal conditions. These trucks are equipped with insulated walls and cooling units that preserve temperature controlled products during transport and delivery.