What is Cold Chain Shipping? The Importance of Proper Shipping Conditions
Todd Cawley | November 1st, 2022
There are various ways to keep produce, like food and drinks, cold during transportation. Refrigerated trucks are a valuable way to transport these goods. But it is always good to have a little help as well. Today, we will discuss cold chain shipping, its uses, and how it helps with refrigerated trucks.
What is it?
Cold chain shipping is a process that helps to maintain the temperature of goods that need a proper temperature for transportation. Typically this is done with ice, dry ice, or refrigerated trucks. Other materials include gel, phase change materials, or styrofoam. The first recorded use of cold chain shipping was in 1885 by Frederick Birdseye. He was granted a patent for his work with food freezing and refrigeration. Since then, many industries have refined and used the process. Some benefits of cold chain shipping include extended shelf life, quality control, reduced spoilage, improved safety, and consistent temperature.
What items need shipping in Cold Chain?
- Food
- Beverages
- Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals
- Cosmetics
- Seeds
- Plants
- Fresh Cut Flowers
- Frozen Foods
- Covid-19 Vaccines
How is it used?
Perishable goods like food, beverages, or pharmaceuticals need cold chain shipping to keep these items at a consistent temperature, which helps to preserve their quality and freshness. Businesses typically use this type of shipping to ensure that their products will not go bad during transport.
How does it help with refrigerated trucks?
Refrigerated trucks are an essential part of the cold chain shipping process, as they help to ensure that perishable goods remain at the proper temperature during transport. Reefer box trucks are specifically designed for this purpose and feature a refrigeration unit that helps keep cargo cool during transit. Refrigerated trucks are also good for this purpose because they play an important role in cold chain shipping.
You can always rely on Emerald Transportation Solutions to provide the right equipment for all of your refrigerated transportation needs. We offer a superior way to deliver perishable items. Contact us today!
Contact Us
Feel Free To Contact Us If You Have Any Questions
What does under DOT mean?
Questions regarding DOT requirements come up often. 10,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and over are commercial vehicles that fall under the Department of Transportation regulatory requirements.
What is the difference between GVW and payload?
GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the entire weight of the vehicle including the payload. The payload weight represents the amount of cargo you are hauling.
What is a self-powered unit and a vehicle-powered unit?
A self-powered unit has its own fuel source and will run independent of the truck. This is the heaviest and most expensive option. While vehicle-powered units run off the engine via a compressor mounted on the engine. These are less expensive and lighter in weight but you must run the truck or plug the electric standby into shore power.
What does K-factor mean and why is that important?
K-factor is a term that stands for the overall insulating value of the container (truck body). Quite simply the lower the K-factor the better the truck body will be able to maintain a given temperature and require less energy to do so.
How much lighter is a Poly Van vs a US spec body?
Poly Van bodies are very light. On average we estimate we are 75-150 lbs per foot lighter than a traditional sheet and post foamed in place body. These weight savings translates to less fuel burn and less CO2 emissions, along with added payload, the most important benefit.
