May 8, 2025
AGI News
Road Freight
As a business needing to transport temperature-sensitive goods, understanding temperature control in freight forwarding is vital. Whether it’s perishable food items, life-saving medications, or other temperature-sensitive products, maintaining the correct temperature during transport is essential to ensure product quality and safety.
In this article, we will delve into the importance of proper temperature control in refrigerated transport, highlighting the specific requirements for different goods as well as the modern technologies that make this possible!
The fundamentals of refrigerated transport
Refrigerated transport, whether via reefer containers in sea freight or refrigerated lorries (also known as frigo’s or chiller lorries) in road freight, is a specialised service designed to maintain a specific temperature range for goods in transit.
Reefer containers are fitted with advanced cooling systems that regulate internal temperatures, ensuring goods remain within the required range throughout their journey. They are ideal for long-haul international shipments, where maintaining consistent temperature control over extended periods is critical.
Refrigerated lorries, or frigos, are indispensable for shorter-distance or domestic deliveries. These vehicles use sophisticated cooling technology to preserve cargo at the correct temperature, often accommodating last-mile logistics to guarantee timely and safe delivery.
Both reefer containers and refrigerated lorries play vital roles in the cold chain logistics ecosystem. By combining these technologies, logistics providers ensure seamless temperature control across the supply chain, whether goods are travelling by sea or road.
What temperature should food be transported at?
When it comes to transporting perishable food items, strict temperature control is non-negotiable. Different types of food require different temperature ranges to preserve their freshness and prevent spoilage. For example:
- Dairy products: These should be kept at temperatures between 1°C and 4°C to prevent bacterial growth.
- Fresh meat: The optimal temperature for fresh meat is between -1°C and 2°C.
- Frozen food: These items should be transported at temperatures of -18°C or lower to stay frozen
Maintaining these temperatures is critical to avoid spoilage, which can pose serious health risks to consumers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, with a significant portion attributed to improper temperature control during transport.
The role of temperature in medication storage
Pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, insulin, and other medications, also require specific temperatures to maintain their efficacy. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK Government specify that most vaccines should be stored and transported between 2°C and 8°C. Deviations outside this range can make vaccines ineffective, which can have huge public health implications.
For other medications, temperature requirements vary:
- Biologicals: Often require storage between 2°C and 8°C.
- Insulin: Needs to be kept between 2°C and 8°C, though it can tolerate room temperature for short periods.
- General pharmaceuticals: Typically stored at controlled room temperatures, ranging from 15°C to 25°C.
The importance of medication temperature monitoring
Maintaining the correct temperature during the transport of medications is not just a matter of quality, but also of safety. Medication temperature monitoring is a critical part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, typically involving sophisticated technologies to make sure that temperature-sensitive drugs are kept within the required range throughout their journey.
Modern reefer containers and road frigo’s used for transporting medications are equipped with advanced temperature monitoring systems. These systems record the internal temperature and provide real-time data to logistics managers. In the event of a temperature anomaly, alerts are generated to allow immediate corrective actions. This level of monitoring is essential to prevent medication from degrading, which can lead to ineffective treatment or adverse reactions in patients.
Technologies ensuring effective refrigerated transport
The success of refrigerated transport relies heavily on the technologies used in reefer containers and frigo’s for the overall logistics framework. Key technologies include:
1. Advanced Cooling Systems
As we’ve already mentioned, reefer containers and frigo’s are equipped with sophisticated cooling systems that can maintain a wide range of temperatures, from deep freeze conditions to controlled ambient environments. These systems can use different cooling mechanisms, like:
- Mechanical refrigeration: Utilises compressors and refrigerants to maintain the desired temperature.
- Cryogenic cooling: Employs liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to achieve extremely low temperatures.
2. Temperature sensors and data loggers
Modern temperature sensors and data loggers are integral to temperature monitoring. These devices record temperature data at regular intervals, which can be remotely accessed by logistics managers. This real-time monitoring allows for speedy responses to any deviations from the specified temperature range.
3. Telematics Systems
Telematics systems combine GPS tracking with temperature monitoring, providing comprehensive oversight of the refrigerated transport process. This integration allows for the tracking of the container’s location and internal conditions, ensuring that goods are transported within the required parameters.
Ensuring compliance with regulations
Adhering to international and national regulations is a critical aspect of refrigerated transport. Organisations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established guidelines to ensure the safe transport of temperature-sensitive goods.
Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
The GDP guidelines set by the European Union provide a framework for the proper distribution of medicinal products. These guidelines highlight the importance of appropriate temperature control and monitoring throughout the supply chain.
Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S)
PIC/S guidelines offer a comprehensive set of standards for the storage and transport of pharmaceutical products, focusing on maintaining product integrity through controlled temperature conditions.
Compliance with these regulations not only ensures product safety but also enhances the credibility and reliability of logistics providers in the eyes of their clients and regulatory bodies.
Best practices for temperature-controlled transport
Are you looking to send temperature-controlled goods? Do you need to send medicine or food shipments but are not sure what steps to take initially? To achieve optimal temperature control in refrigerated transport, logistics providers must adhere to best practices; let’s explore what they are!
1. Pre-cooling
Before loading temperature-sensitive goods, it’s essential to pre-cool the reefer containers and frigo’s to the desired temperature. This step helps stabilise the internal environment and prevents temperature fluctuations once the goods are loaded.
2. Proper packaging
Using the right packaging materials can significantly impact temperature control. Insulated containers, gel packs, and phase change materials can help maintain the desired temperature range during transit.
3. Loading techniques
Strategic loading techniques ensure even air circulation within the container, preventing hot or cold spots. Goods should be arranged to allow free airflow around them, enhancing the efficiency of the cooling system.
4. Regular maintenance
Routine maintenance of reefer containers and frigo’s and their cooling systems is vital to ensure their reliability. Regular checks and servicing can prevent mechanical failures that might lead to temperature excursions.
The future of refrigerated transport
The future of refrigerated transport will change with technological advancements; innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are set to revolutionise the way we send temperature-controlled goods by enhancing temperature monitoring, improving supply chain transparency, and optimising logistics operations.
IoT and Real-Time Monitoring: IoT devices can provide real-time data on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors within the reefer container or frigo. This data can be analysed to predict potential issues and prevent temperature excursions.
AI for Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms can analyse data from reefer containers and frigo’s to predict maintenance needs and potential failures. This proactive approach can help prevent breakdowns and ensure that cooling systems remain operational throughout the transport process.
Proper temperature control in refrigerated transport is paramount for preserving the quality and safety of temperature-sensitive goods. From food to pharmaceuticals, maintaining the correct temperature range is essential to prevent spoilage and ensure the efficacy of products. By leveraging advanced technologies, adhering to regulatory guidelines, and following best practices, logistics providers can deliver goods in optimal condition, meeting the needs of consumers and clients alike.
Reefer containers, temperature monitoring systems, and compliance with international standards are the cornerstones of successful refrigerated transport. As technology continues to evolve, businesses will benefit from even greater efficiencies and innovations, ensuring that temperature-sensitive goods are transported safely and reliably across the globe.
Contact us for your refrigerated transport needs
Ensuring the proper temperature control for your temperature-sensitive goods is not just a necessity; it’s what we do. Here at AGI, we understand the critical nature of maintaining the right conditions for perishable foods, medications, and other sensitive products. With our refrigerated transport services, you can trust us to deliver your goods safely and efficiently, so contact us today to discuss your requirements. And for all of the latest AGI news, don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!