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30/11/2022 | Controlled Temperature

A Quick Guide to Packing and Transporting Refrigerated Goods

Refrigerated shipping, also known as cold chain logistics, is the process of transporting refrigerated goods from one place to another, enabling the safe transport of temperature-sensitive goods and products along the supply chain. It can be done by land, air, or sea transport. Refrigerated products are usually perishable products, such as food or pharmaceuticals, which must be kept at a very specific temperature to preserve their quality.

When shipping these products, care must be taken to ensure that they are kept at the right temperature for the entire journey. Special refrigerated containers, reefer trailers, and reefer trucks are used to achieve this.

Packing and transporting refrigerated goods is a delicate process that, done properly, can save a business time and money. But what is the best way to pack and transport refrigerated goods? This article aims to outline the basics.

Materials used for packing refrigerated goods

When packing refrigerated goods, insulation is an essential part. The packaging used must keep the heat out, allowing products to remain cold or frozen. The following is a roundup of the most commonly used packing materials for refrigerated goods:

Styrofoam

Insulated and air-filled box liners

Dry Ice

Gel Packs

Other Solutions

Shipping refrigerated goods

Once you have decided how to package your shipments, the next step is to decide how to transport your goods. Refrigerated transport is an essential sector of the global food and pharmaceutical supply chain. Refrigerated vessels are equipped with sophisticated refrigeration systems that can maintain a wide range of temperatures. Refrigerated transport helps ensure the safety of perishable goods by keeping them at a constant temperature to avoid spoilage.

The shipping process for refrigerated goods must also be carefully planned and coordinated.  One of the biggest challenges of refrigerated transport is keeping temperature-sensitive products at a constant temperature throughout their journey, especially when goods are shipped in different vehicles, such as trucks, trains, and ships. The temperature inside the shipping container must be carefully monitored and controlled at all times.

Another aspect to be aware of is the temperatures your shipment travel in during transit. It is important to look out for weather anomalies to avoid complications, and to be aware that temperatures differ substantially depending on the time of year and where the shipment travels through and to.

About reefers

Refrigerated containers, also known as reefers, are an important part of the cold chain. Reefers are temperature-controlled containers that transport perishable goods at a controlled temperature. They maintain a constant temperature, typically between 0°C and 10°C, using refrigeration units.

The use of reefers makes it possible to transport goods over long distances, as well as across borders. Reefers are often used alongside other cold chain solutions, such as packaging solutions such as those mentioned above, and temperature-controlled warehouses. When used together, these solutions provide a complete cold chain solution, ensuring that goods are kept at the correct temperature from the time of production until they reach consumers.

Refrigerated transport can be a complex and difficult process. However, if the shipping process is carefully planned and coordinated, it is possible to ship perishable goods successfully.