Understanding Temperature Controlled Freight Shipping
In the most basic terms, temperature controlled freight shipping means moving goods that are climate sensitive. For instance, you only want your chocolate melting in your mouth, your flowers blooming, and your produce fresh and tasty. From dock to dock, those items must be maintained in a stable temperature, and that requires special storage and handling.
Fortunately, with reefers (refrigerated trailers) and other refrigerated shipping methods in place, unaffected products are delivered every day. Let’s take a close look at temperature controlled freight shipping.
Freight Value and Temperature Sensitivity Prioritization
You must first identify critical shipping needs to have the most cost-effective and efficient logistics in place. As far as security requirements, speed, and temperature stability are concerned, not all items are equal. Figure out what’s perishable and what isn’t. Overall cost is most likely to be impacted with items over which temperature has an influence. Standard shipping options may well be appropriate for items that are less sensitive. For high-value items, a tailored logistics approach is advisable.
Limitations on Refrigerated Freight Packaging
There is less capacity in refrigerated freight trucks than in others. Truck space is reduced because of the insulated walls. This should have a direct reflection on your crating and packaging. Additionally, payload capacity is affected by the weight of the equipment used to control temperatures.
With the carrier of your products, be sure to address all temperature guidelines. Proper parameters are more likely to be used if you lay out all the specifics ahead of time.
Temperature controlled docks are also used to help secure items that are highly temperature sensitive. Additionally, to maintain the cold chain properly and reduce the alteration of inside trailer temperatures, drivers are advised to keep the doors closed until it’s absolutely necessary to open them.
The Best Packaging for the Job
Crating and packing, when done correctly, can protect your perishable items from humidity or extreme temperatures, even if they are exposed to harsh environments. To reduce heat transfer through the container walls of packaging, insulation is recommended. There are numerous types of insulation used in the shipping industry.
Dry ice and gel coolants are used for cool items that are considered temperature sensitive. Because of the leak potential and heaviness of wet ice, gel coolants are preferred over wet ice. If dry ice is being used for temperature control, some things must be provided. These are as follows:
- IATA compliant outer packaging labeling and markings
- Classification
- Correct identification
To absorb any liquids, it’s advisable to have paper towels, cellulose wadding, or pads under the shipment when shipping frozen items.
A Freight Service Provider That Is Trustworthy
When you join forces with a logistics partner such as a freight service provider, the following benefits can apply:
- LTL services that are temperature controlled covering much of North America and the United States
- Visibility to trace and track shipments
- A single point of contact for your company’s LTL and temperature controlled truckload shipments
- A wide array of business relationships
- Thorough beverage and food knowledge
When handling things like shipments that are temperature controlled, there are a lot of requirements to consider. To make sure your shipment is on the right track, you have to think about preparation, support, tools, etc. The specialists at STC Logistics can help. Contact us today to see how we can be of assistance where other logistics matters are concerned as well.
