Refrigerated transportation allows you to deliver fresh products, medicines and other temperature-sensitive goods over long distances without loss of quality. However, only if the mandatory conditions are met. What exactly are they – we will consider further.
What is the temperature regime when transporting goods
The temperature regime is a set temperature range that must be maintained throughout the entire transportation period. This applies to refrigerators, isothermal vans, containers and the vehicle as a whole.
It is refrigerated cargo transportation that protects the contents from spoilage and preserves its original properties during delivery.
What cargo requires temperature control
Cargo requiring temperature control is goods that may deteriorate, lose quality or become dangerous if the specified temperature regime is deviated from.
The main categories of goods for which refrigerated transportation is required
| Type of cargo | Example |
| Food products (transportation of perishable goods) | Fresh meat, poultry, fish and seafood; dairy products; eggs; vegetables and fruits; frozen foods; semi-finished products; confectionery with cream. |
| Pharmaceuticals | Vaccines; insulin and other biological products; temperature-sensitive medicines; medical reagents; donated blood and its components |
| Cosmetics and perfumery | Creams; serums; natural cosmetics; some perfumes and aerosols |
| Chemical products | Some reagents; paints and varnishes; adhesives; polymers; special industrial chemicals |
| Flowers and plants | Cut flowers; seedlings; seeds of certain crops; ornamental plants |
| Animal products | Animal feed; veterinary drugs; biological materials |
| Special cargo | Biological samples for laboratories; organs and tissues for transplantation; some electronic components and batteries (under certain conditions) |
Refrigerated transportation and its features
What are the features of refrigerated transportation:
- constant temperature regime;
- specialized transport (must be equipped with refrigeration units and insulated bodies);
- compliance with the cold chain (its violation leads to product spoilage);
- preliminary cooling or freezing of goods.
Of course, the main feature of refrigerated transportation is to ensure continuous maintenance of the required temperature from the moment of loading to the transfer of cargo to the recipient.
How does cold logistics work in international transportation
Cold logistics is a complex of services for the storage, processing and transportation of temperature-sensitive goods with continuous maintenance of a certain temperature regime at all stages of cargo movement from the manufacturer to the end consumer.
What stages does cold logistics consist of:
- route planning;
- cargo preparation;
- warehouse storage;
- loading;
- customs clearance (if international refrigerated transportation, not refrigerated transportation in Ukraine);
- delivery and unloading (arrival).
Sensors and recorders are usually used to constantly maintain the temperature regime.
Transportation of perishable goods: basic requirements
Typical temperature regimes for the transportation of perishable goods:
- frozen goods: from −18 °C and below.
- chilled products: from 0 °C to +8 °C.
- fruits and vegetables: usually from +2 °C to +15 °C depending on the type.
- pharmaceuticals: often from +2 °C to +8 °C or from +15 °C to +25 °C.
- deep freezing: down to −70 °C and below (some vaccines and biomaterials).
For such transportations, refrigerated services, isothermal bodies, thermal containers and temperature monitoring systems are used to maintain a continuous “cold chain”.
International transportation of refrigerated goods
When transporting refrigerated goods internationally, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of the country of destination regarding food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary control, pharmaceutical standards, and documentary confirmation of the temperature regime. That is why it is important to entrust this process exclusively to professional logistics companies.
International refrigerated cargo transportation is characterized by increased responsibility of the carrier. After all, it is necessary to constantly monitor the serviceability of refrigeration equipment and compliance with the established transportation regime. Deviation in temperature can cause damage to the cargo and financial losses.
How to choose refrigerated services for cargo delivery
What to pay attention to when choosing refrigerated services:
- temperature requirements;
- technical capabilities of transport;
- monitoring system;
- documents and certification;
- insurance conditions.
When choosing refrigerated cargo transportation services, it is important to consider not only the cost of delivery, but also the carrier’s ability to provide the necessary conditions for preserving the cargo.
What do prices for refrigerated transportation depend on?
Prices for refrigerated transportation are formed depending on the distance, temperature regime, cargo characteristics, route, delivery urgency, seasonality and additional logistics services.
The more complex the transportation conditions, the more stringent the requirements for temperature control, the higher the cost of transportation.
A properly selected refrigerated transportation service ensures the preservation of cargo quality, compliance with the cold chain and timely delivery of products to the destination.
Conclusion
Therefore, compliance with the temperature regime and proper organization of refrigerated transportation are the key to maintaining the quality, safety and presentation of products during transportation.
To avoid risks associated with a violation of the cold chain, it is worth cooperating with a reliable logistics company that has its own modern fleet of refrigerated transport, temperature monitoring systems and experience in international transportation.
