Fall means football and holiday feasts. And we have the haulers of reefer freight to thank for the fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood that are essential to tailgate parties and Thanksgiving tables.
“The complexity that makes hauling reefer loads more lucrative also adds challenges to the role,” a Truckstop.com blog cautioned.
Those complexities include stringent temperature rules and packing standards for transporting refrigerated — reefer — freight to prevent spoilage and damage. For reliable providers of reefer trucking, the payoff is worth the added challenges.
“Reefer freight is in higher demand and bounces back from economic setbacks faster than other methods of transport,” Truckstop.com said. “That’s because no matter what crisis impacts the U.S., the demand for food, drink, and medicine rarely subsides.”
The best transportation and logistics providers follow three steps for more effective reefer operations.
Step 1: Implementing Advanced Temperature Control and Monitoring Systems
Advanced temperature control and monitoring systems are vital in delivering perishable goods in pristine condition.
Precision in Temperature Management
Maintaining precise temperature control from pickup to delivery is absolutely critical.
“Most food and beverage companies ship their goods in a refrigerated trailer kept at 32-36°F, like your fridge at home. Most frozen trucks operate at -10°F. Some chemicals and pharmaceutical products require even colder temperatures,” Truckstop.com said.
Optimal temperatures do vary depending on the product, and advanced refrigeration units and multi-zone settings ensure the right conditions for different fruits, vegetables, and meats hauled in the same trailer.
Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
Real-time monitoring systems are essential, including sensors that warn if the temperature deviates. Automated alerts also help protect product integrity.
“Reefer monitoring is critical for several reasons,” Motive said. “First, it ensures the quality and safety of perishable goods during transportation. Second, it helps reduce wastage and spoilage, which can be costly for businesses. Third, it helps comply with regulations set by the authorities regarding the transportation of perishable goods.”
Leveraging Technology for Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics anticipate and prevent equipment failures. Advanced technology tools also ensure consistent performance and reduce downtime.
Step 2: Ensuring Reliability and Efficiency in Transportation
Transportation and logistics providers need to have advanced systems in place to assure customers they can reliably and efficiently deliver reefer freight.
Route Optimization and Planning
Detailed planning and route optimization minimize delays and maintain product integrity. Software can — and should — be utilized to analyze traffic patterns, weather conditions, and data to plan the most efficient routes.
Driver Training and Accountability
Shippers and logistics providers should leverage carriers with specialized training in handling reefer freight and adherence to safety protocols and emergency procedures. A robust training program’s benefits include fostering a culture of punctuality, reliability, and accountability.
Building Strong Partnerships for Seamless Operations
“The relationship between shippers, carriers, loaders, and receivers is key to maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain and more important than ever to ensure that expectations are clearly defined, communicated, and documented in appropriate food safety plans and contracts,” the Refrigerated Transportation Best Practices Guide said. “All parties should understand their roles and responsibilities in meeting the guidelines identified by the shipper to ensure food safety and protect liabilities, including lawsuits and claims due to failure to meet specifications.”
Step 3: Complying with Safety and Quality Standards
The effective delivery of refrigerated goods includes complying with very specific safety and quality standards.
Adhering to Regulatory Requirements
Compliance with food safety regulations, such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), is mandatory in reefer operations.
Implementing Best Practices for Safety and Quality
Regular inspections, temperature logs, and audits help maintain high safety and quality standards. Ongoing driver training ensures adherence to the latest safety protocols during reefer freight transportation.
Sustainability and Environmental Considerations
Transportation providers should respond to the growing demand for sustainable practices in reefer operations. Energy-efficient refrigeration units and route optimization can help reduce the carbon footprint of cold chain logistics.
RJ Logistics Delivers Effective Reefer Operations
At RJ Logistics, we have the skills to handle any complications that arise with moving all freight — including refrigerated goods. We come up with simple solutions to complicated problems with our state-of-the-art technology. Through our client-centric approaches, we provide customized solutions and tailored logistics strategies.
We respond to urgent needs with expert expedited shipping solutions. In addition to expedited and reefer, our service options offered through our strategic partnerships include flatbed, Conestoga, cargo van, and dry van.
We are driven by our mission to deliver positive experiences for our customers, partners, and community through actions guided by our core values and principles.
Schedule a call with RJ Logistics today.
