Cold chain transport: the links that must not break

In cold chain work, mistakes usually happen at the dock, not on the road. However good the unit is, twenty minutes with the doors open can raise the cargo temperature beyond recovery.

Pre-cooling is essential

The body must already be at target temperature when the vehicle arrives to load. A reefer unit is designed to hold cold cargo at temperature, not to cool warm cargo down. Loading chilled goods into a warm body shortens shelf life.

Temperature logging

Temperature has to be recorded throughout the journey. Our vehicles carry data loggers and you can request the record after delivery. It serves as both quality assurance and evidence in a dispute. We agree the logging interval — 15 or 30 minutes — in advance, based on the product.

Loading pattern

• Leave gaps between pallets for air circulation; packing tight to the ceiling ruins cooling.
• Products needing different temperatures should not share a body. Tell us in advance if a multi-compartment vehicle is needed.
• Keep door openings to a minimum; on multi-drop routes the loading order is planned around this.

Settle these three up front and there are no surprises on the road.