The Evolution of Temperature-Controlled Freight
Throughout centuries, innovators in the freight industry have created efficient ways to transport goods across the globe, and today there are virtually any solutions for any shipping need.
One of the many innovations in shipping includes temperature-controlled freight, which includes using refrigerated trailers or specialized packaging to keep certain products at a certain temperature. This is especially important during the warmer months of the year.
Why is it Essential?
Temperature-controlled freight is an indispensable mode of transportation because it’s used to transport cargo that is essential to many industries, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, produce, dairy, meat, and other perishable goods.
Without temperature regulation while on the road, these sensitive products would risk spoilage or become unsafe for consumption or use. Without temperature-controlled freight systems, goods would not be able to be transported and maintain their effectiveness.
So, where did temperature-controlled freight originate, and how did it become as essential as it is today? Let’s find out.
The Invention & Early Beginning of Temperature-Controlled Freight
The earliest attempts at shipping perishable goods involved using ice to keep them cool, although this method only worked for short distances because the ice would melt quickly. This was what was considered temperature-controlled transportation up until the mid-1800s.
By the 1860s, refrigerated railcars began to emerge in the U.S. – the cars would have blocks of ice with sawdust insulation to keep dairy, perishable produce, and especially meat, cool. This was a time when the meat-packing industry was booming, driving demand for refrigerated freight.
A decade later, refrigerated ships using the same technology made meat exports available from Europe, Australia, and Argentina, propelling refrigerated freight to become a global necessity.
The Evolution of Temperature-Controlled Freight
While temperature-controlled freight was being more widely adopted at the time, the technology itself was still in its early stages, and keeping goods cool over long distances was a significant challenge.
It wasn’t until 1938 that temperature-controlled freight saw major improvements. Frederick McKinley Jones invented the first successful mobile refrigeration system. His system was a compact, durable, and shock-resistant trailer with a compressor mounted under it and powered by a four-cylinder engine. After patenting his design in 1940, his invention enabled the development of refrigerated trucks for transporting food to soldiers during World War II.
Once the U.S. Interstate system was established in 1956, Jones’ technology enabled the easy transportation of meat, dairy, and other perishable goods over long distances. Eventually, his technology was implemented into the other modes of transportation, revolutionizing temperature-controlled freight and the industry as a whole.
Temperature-Controlled Freight Today
By the 1970s, reefer (refrigerated) containers could be transported intermodally—by ship, rail, or truck —without unloading the goods. By the 1990s, cold chain technology had expanded into the pharmaceutical industry, which required tighter temperature control and stricter packaging regulations.
Today, there are specific requirements and rules that shippers must adhere to when transporting sensitive goods. Different products must be in specific temperature ranges and use specialized packaging like insulated containers, dry ice, and gel packs to maintain temperature from origin to destination.
Modern-day reefers are typically equipped with IoT sensors and GPS to track factors such as temperature, humidity, and the location of the truck, ensuring the compliance and safety of the products being transported.
Organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have established specific guidelines for the safe transportation of perishable items. In the U.S., the FDA and the USDA have regulations for transporting produce and perishable food.
From humble beginnings of using blocks of ice to today’s advanced reefers, temperature-controlled freight has come a long way, and now it’s hard to imagine modern life without it. Thanks to innovations like mobile refrigeration systems and tracking technology, we can now transport sensitive goods over long distances without a second thought.
This shipping service is now a highly regulated necessity for the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries, ensuring product safety and effectiveness as it allows for transportation anywhere across the globe.
