When you're managing a logistics supply chain, you encounter multiple sub-domains of specialty—each requiring unique equipment and procedures. One of the most complex is the cold supply chain. If you transport perishables across the globe, how do you ensure they remain in a controlled temperature environment to reduce contamination, bacteria, and keep commodities safe? There are a few unique attributes that the cold supply chain possesses that make it different from the traditional supply chain.
In this blog post, we'll cover five elements that the cold supply chain requires to ensure safe and efficient delivery of temperature-sensitive products.
Temperature-Controlled Containers
When you transport perishables, it's critical to maintain a consistent temperature. Whether it's produce or frozen foods, this is accomplished throughout the cold supply chain with the use of refrigerated or frozen containers. The "reefer" as it's commonly known, is a customized trailer that is made with onboard equipment that refrigerates and maintains a temperature that is specific to the product being shipped. While they are similar in appearance, what makes reefers unique? Here are several specifics you may not be aware of.
• A refrigerated container costs about five times more to build than a dry container. • A refrigerated or frozen container is designed to maintain the desired temperature throughout transit. Freight needs to be at the desired temperature prior to being loaded for food safety. • Reefers require electric power to keep the unit operational. To accomplish this, reefer trailers must keep an onboard generator running constantly. This is often the greatest hurdle in maintaining the cold supply chain.
The Cold Supply is More Complex
When you ship freight, the process is rather straightforward—plan, load, ship, and deliver. With refrigerated or frozen products, however, there are several phases within each step that are enhanced. Here are a few specific examples:
• Planning: There are several factors that you need to consider when planning to move cold freight including the point of origin, the destination, and the equipment needed to ensure safe and proper handling of cold product. As a shipper or carrier, you must spend time planning and preparing your shipments to comply with food safety standards, reduce spoilage, and ensure timely delivery. • Loading: Carriers within the cold supply chain must have the capacity to correctly store and load frozen or perishable freight. Beyond the container, they must have the right storage facilities to keep refrigerated freight protected prior to loading. You must also plan the loading to reduce standing time outside of the desired temperature range. • Shipping: The cold supply chain is more time-sensitive than shipping dry goods. You must move freight from origin to destination efficiently to ensure on-time deliveries.
The Cold Supply Chain Requires Excessive Documentation
While all cargo logistics requires documentation, you'll find that the cold supply chain amplifies this by multiple factors. The FDA has multiple regulations as listed in their Food Safety Modernization Act that provides carriers and shippers with standards needed to ensure proper food safety. One of the most important details of cold supply chain shipping is the extra documentation and reporting needed. There are several items that need to be recorded in the cold supply chain that dry goods shipping does not require including temperature readings. DOT and FDA standards require carriers to maintain logs for recording temperatures of reefer and frozen units on an hourly basis. If a carrier is pulled over and this log is not accurately maintained, they risk multiple fines and even possible suspension of commercial shipping licenses.
The Cold Supply Chain Impacts Public Health
As we noted above, when you ship perishable commodities, you need enhanced controls to reduce the potential for contamination. However, these controls are vital, due to the cold supply chain's impact on public health. There are two specific reasons why the cold supply chain impacts this area:
• Food products need to be kept outside of "the danger zone" (which is a food safety term that describes the desired temperature for perishables to reduce the spread of fungus, bacteria, and other microbial growth. The cold supply chain keeps perishable items safe during transport.
• Medical goods: Most people assume that the only items involved in the cold supply chain are food. However, medical goods like insulin for diabetics, vaccines, and antibiotics are often temperature controlled.
When the cold supply chain is effective, it helps to protect these vital commodities to keep us healthy. See how companies have optimized their cold supply chain operations in our case studies.
Additional Operational Costs
You'll find that the cold supply chain is expensive to maintain. As we noted above, the average price to build a 'reefer' unit is nearly five times that of a traditional, dry goods cargo container. The main reason for this is the cost of refrigeration and generator units. However, these items also require constant maintenance to stay in operational shape. This is one of the major reasons why the cost of cold supply chain shipments is more expensive than dry good shipments.
Final Thoughts
The cold supply chain demands specialized equipment, rigorous documentation, and careful planning to protect both product integrity and public health. Understanding these five elements can help you navigate the complexities of temperature-controlled logistics more effectively. Ready to optimize your cold chain operations? Contact Redwood Logistics today to learn how we can help.