Refrigerated Freight Shipping: Everything You Need to Know

Approximately 70% of the food transportation system in the US relies on refrigerated trucks allowing perishable items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and seafood to reach consumers fresh and safe. Transporting food while maintaining its freshness has always been a top priority, requiring specialized vehicles and complex supply chains. However, with the advancement of innovative solutions, the industry is evolving. Keep reading to explore everything about refrigerated freight shipping, from costs to selecting the best company for your needs.

Table of Contents

• Types of Refrigerated Freight
• Modes of Refrigerated Transportation
• Key Components of Refrigerated Shipping
• Best Practices for Shipping Specific Goods
• Challenges in Refrigerated Freight Shipping
• Cost Considerations
• Selecting a Refrigerated Freight Carrier

Types of Refrigerated Freight

Different types of perishables are shipped in reefer containers to ensure quality and freshness throughout transit, depending on the required level of refrigeration.

Perishable food products. This category includes fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, seafood, and baked goods. Many of these items are transported to meet seasonal demand or surplus production. While meat and dairy products are shipped frozen, fruits, vegetables, and baked goods need cool temperatures to stay fresh. Each item must be carefully packed and transported according to its specific temperature needs.

Pharmaceuticals. Medications, including vaccines and other temperature-sensitive drugs, require precise temperature control to preserve their efficacy. Reefer containers help secure these medical supplies safely and reach their destination while preserving their quality and efficacy.

Beverages and liquids. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are transported in barrels or specialized storage containers to preserve their quality and prevent spoilage. Some beverages require refrigeration to maintain a specific low temperature, while others are kept in cool storage to protect their flavor and integrity.

Other temperature-sensitive goods. Items such as flowers, certain chemicals, and specialized materials also rely on refrigerated shipping. Flowers are extremely delicate, and providing optimal conditions is important to keep them fresh during transit.

Modes of Refrigerated Transportation

Transportation of perishable goods requires specialized modes to maintain the necessary temperature throughout transit. Let’s have a look at the most common types of refrigerated transportation:

Refrigerated trucks (reefer trucks). Trucks are one of the most widely used modes of freight transport, especially for overland shipments. They are ideal for short- to medium-distance delivery of perishable goods.

Refrigerated rail cars. Suitable for large quantities of goods transported over long distances, refrigerated rail cars are used to move a wide variety of perishable products, such as meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals.

Reefer ships. Used for international sea freight, reefer ships are specifically designed to transport perishables like meat, fruits, and vegetables over long distances. These ships are equipped with advanced cooling systems to maintain the required temperature.

Refrigerated containers. These intermodal containers are used for transporting goods across various modes of transport—truck, rail, and sea— guaranteeing that temperature-sensitive items stay fresh throughout their journey.

Key Components of Refrigerated Shipping

Refrigerated shipping relies on specific elements to preserve the quality and safety of perishable goods during long-distance transportation. Here are the key components required in a refrigerated truck:

Refrigeration units. These are critical technologies used to maintain the required temperature. The refrigeration unit is the heart of a reefer container, ensuring that the temperature stays within the optimal range throughout the journey.

Insulation materials. Insulation minimizes temperature fluctuations, helping to preserve a stable environment. Most reefer containers are insulated with vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) or foam insulation, which reduce heat transfer between the inside and outside of the container.

Temperature monitoring systems. These systems provide real-time tracking for temperature compliance and safety. They monitor conditions inside the container, helping to keep the goods within the required temperature range during transport.

Best Practices for Shipping Specific Goods

Following best practices in refrigerated shipping can help deliver fresh produce and other sensitive items promptly. Below are specific foods that require special handling:

Fresh produce. To preserve freshness, fruits and vegetables should undergo steps like pre-cooling and humidity control. Proper ventilation and temperature monitoring help avoid spoilage and ensure quality throughout transportation.

Meat and seafood. These items require constant low temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. Strict adherence to hygiene standards in the handling and transportation of meat and seafood is important for preserving both safety and quality.

Pharmaceuticals. Shipping pharmaceuticals requires adherence to regulatory guidelines. Precise temperature control should be maintained to preserve the efficacy and safety of medications during transit.

Challenges in Refrigerated Freight Shipping

Freight shipping presents unique challenges that can affect the safety, efficiency, and reliability of your supply chain if not properly managed. Some common challenges in refrigerated shipping include:

Temperature deviations. Deviations from the required temperature range during transit can compromise cargo integrity, leading to spoilage, wastage, and significant financial losses.

Regulatory compliance. Navigating international and local regulations is complex. Different countries and states have varying import/export laws and product safety standards, making compliance one of the most challenging aspects of refrigerated shipping.

Environmental concerns. Cold chain logistics require constant temperature control, leading to high energy consumption and significant emissions. Adopting eco-friendly refrigerants and advanced insulation materials is a key step toward reducing the environmental footprint of refrigerated transport.

Cost Considerations

In refrigerated shipping, costs can vary widely depending on several factors, even though it might seem like there should be a standard rate due to the size of the industry. Some of the key factors that influence shipping costs include:

Factors influencing costs. Distance, fuel prices, weight, size, and required temperature ranges all play a role in determining the shipping cost. The further your goods travel, the more expensive it will be. The relevance of weight and size is obvious; heavier shipments will increase fuel consumption, and larger shipments will occupy more space in the trailer. Additionally, maintaining specific temperature ranges for the shipment adds to the overall cost. 

Cost-saving strategies. Efficient route planning, load optimization, and selecting appropriate transport modes are all key to reducing refrigerated shipping costs. By planning more efficient routes, companies can minimize the time and fuel used during transit, leading to substantial savings. Selecting appropriate transport modes such as rail for long distances or consolidating shipments with others can also help save on shipping expenses.

Selecting a Refrigerated Freight Carrier

Selecting the right refrigerated freight carrier is essential for ensuring cost-effective and efficient refrigerated shipping. When choosing a carrier, you should consider the following criteria:

Evaluating carrier capabilities. The quality of the carrier's fleet, their adoption of technology, and their experience with specific types of goods are key factors to evaluate. Assessing these capabilities ensures that the carrier can meet your needs and deliver the service you're paying for. For example, make sure their fleet has the necessary equipment to handle refrigerated goods properly. 

Service offerings. It’s important to check whether the carrier offers a variety of services that suit your specific needs. This includes additional services like warehousing, packaging, and expedited shipping. A carrier with a broad range of service offerings can provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to choose the best options for your shipment's requirements.

Reputation and reliability. Choose a carrier with a solid reputation and a track record of reliability. Researching customer feedback and reviews from trusted sources like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you assess their service quality and dependability. A reputable company will ensure that your goods are handled with care and arrive safely and on time.

Sum Up

Refrigerated freight plays an integral role in sustaining and advancing the food supply chain. By understanding the shipping process, costs, and how to find a reliable carrier, you can ensure that goods are transported safely and efficiently. At BAH Logistics, we have extensive experience in refrigerated freight shipping. Simply fill out your shipment details using our online calculator to receive the best quote.