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Refrigerated Freight

Cold Chain Logistics

Learn about the basics and importance of cold chain logistics (CCL).

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Cold Chain Logistics

Getting frozen and temperature-controlled items into retail locations and to customers takes a little extra something to get them there safely and at the right temperature—cold chain logistics.

Cold Chain Logistics is vital to the transport of everyday cold items. This can include anything from ice, popsicles, ice cream, flowers, medicine, and more! Specialized equipment and storage locations are needed to transport cold goods, as regular semi-trailers are too hot and humid.

When it comes to ensuring your cold freight or temperature-sensitive cargo gets shipped at the proper temperature, you need to know the basics of cold chain logistics and why it’s essential to your supply chain.

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Why Choose FreightCenter for Cold Chain Logistics?

Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the cold chain logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. We aim to make shipping your frozen or refrigerated goods easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!

Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a reefer trailer? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’ll keep your goods safe and secure at the right temperature!

Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of cold chain logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!

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Basics of CCL

Cold chain logistics is simply a temperature-controlled supply chain, including refrigerated items, frozen items, and any cargo sensitive to temperature changes. Additionally, it’s called a cold chain because it’s not just one part of the shipping process that needs to work. It’s a chain­ with links that fit together. If one part of the chain doesn’t hold together, the entire thing falls apart.

Here’s what we mean by chain: Refrigerators or freezers in warehouses located in cold chain production areas. Refrigerated or frozen transportation. Refrigerated warehouses for normal shipping (IE: not enterprise level). Local refrigerated transportation. (Think local carriers and warehouses in transit). Proper refrigeration equipment at all destination points, such as retailers and wholesalers. Commercial or enterprise-level refrigerated warehouses.

Making sure your temperature-sensitive cargo maintains the optimal temperature during the entire shipping process means reduced risk of spoilage, damage, or product loss. While you want the chill of a properly running cold chain, you don’t want the chill of unhappy customers!

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Importance of the Cold Chain

Let’s say you’re a retailer shipping produce, flowers, or pharmaceuticals. Your items are temperature-sensitive and require special cold-chain shipping and handling. If one link in the cold chain doesn’t work correctly, you risk losing money on spoiled cargo and having unhappy customers. So, the importance of a well-oiled, properly functioning cold chain cannot be overstated.

In fact, according to the International Trade Administration, worldwide losses in the food industry total more than $750 billion each year. Additionally, more than $260 billion of bio-pharma products rely on cold chain logistics to ensure their efficacy.

Cold chain logistics shipping regulations and standards are created to help shipping providers know how to ship these types of items properly. Who sets and enforces the regulations?

How Does Cold Chain Cargo Get Damaged?

With all the regulations and information about properly shipping cold chain items, you might wonder how cold chain cargo gets damaged. Here are some reasons:

  • Equipment malfunction—Sometimes equipment breaks down, causing product damage or loss. Examples include power outages or issues with the cooling system, coolant or insulation failure, poor air circulation, and lack of fuel.
  • Distribution and delivery issues—From shipping to remote areas to breakdowns to carriers being stuck in traffic, sometimes distribution and delivery issues happen.
  • Human error—Nobody’s perfect, and human error, such as lousy handling, leaving a refrigerator door open, and not filling out the paperwork correctly, can lead to damaged cargo.
  • Cargo theft—Argh, mateys! There be pirates! And those pirates target cargo that is easy for them to steal and resell on the black market. Food, drinks, and medicines are among the top items thieves target.

 

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What Can You Do to Protect Your Cold Chain Cargo?

You can reduce your shipping risk by ensuring you follow all the best practices and regulations before you ship. This includes properly packaging your cold chain cargo, knowing and following rules set by the FDA and other agencies, properly labeling your cargo, communicating with all parties involved in the shipping process, and working with a third-party logistics provider (3PL).

As a 3PL, we have the cold chain resources you need and shipping experts who can help you source capacity, find a suitable cold chain carrier, and more.

Our logistics team is available to help with cold chain shipping. Call us at (800) 716-7608 or get your instant, free online quote today!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cold Chain Logistics

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Q. What is cold chain logistics?

A.

Cold chain logistics is another expression for frozen or refrigerated freight shipping. Shipping refrigerated or frozen products is challenging because their temperatures must stay consistent. They also must be quick since perishable items threaten to spoil during transport.

This is why understanding cold chain logistics is important for first-time shippers. You will need the right equipment to keep your perishable items safe, like reefer trucks and cold storage units. You’ll also need to understand federal and state regulations regarding transporting frozen or refrigerated times.

Q. What products would be shipped using cold chain logistics?

A.

Perishable items that need to be at a consistent temperature qualify for cold chain shipping. This includes frozen and refrigerated foods, produce, medicine, and plants.

Q. What is a reefer truck?

A.

“Reefer truck” is short for refrigerated semi-truck.  This is a specialized trailer with a heating/cooling system built into it. These trailers are designed to stay at a consistent temperature until they arrive at their destination.

Three Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Cold Chain Logistics

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25+ Years of Service

We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.

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Customizable Shipping Options

Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.

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Friendly Customer Support

Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.

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