Refrigerated trucks, also known as reefer or reefer carriers, are an important cold chain solution for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo. But what are carrier refrigeration units and why do they pose challenges for brokers? The term reefer carrier refers to a truck trailer or shipping container with a refrigeration unit for transporting sensitive goods.
From ice-covered railroad cars in the 1840s to the modern fleets of today, refrigerated trucking is one of the most important components of the supply chain. Considering carrier refrigeration units play such an important role, it might seem easy to find a carrier, but it’s not that simple. The time-sensitive, temperature-controlled world of refrigerated shipping comes with its own rules.
Compared to general cargo, reefer carriers are highly fragmented, lacking a singular network of carriers. Shippers must often work with multiple carriers across different regions to meet their delivery needs. Also, delivering refrigerated goods is challenging.
Windows are shorter, appointment times are stricter, penalties are steep, and there’s always a risk of spoilage. To save money and reduce risk, shippers need to understand the important factors involved in refrigerated transportation. Below are some of the most notable ones.
Before taking advantage of carrier refrigeration units, you need to know where the shipment is headed and what is being transported. This is important for any cargo, but more so true for reefer shipments. Reefer carriers are fragmented and seasonally and ambient temperatures must also be considered.
It doesn’t end with that; since you must also factor in the temperature, refrigerated trailers maintain temperatures between 55°F and -20°F, but how well they do this varies. Once you’ve determined the required temperature range for your product, you need to ensure that your reefer carrier can maintain the trailer within that range.
Not all carriers can handle a wide spectrum of temperatures. Remember, loading a reefer container calls for requires considering the commodity type and packaging. Temperature is essential, so proper air flow must be maintained throughout the trailer.
As a general rule of thumb, frozen cargo needs air flow around the product, while chilled commodities like fruits and vegetables require air to flow through the cargo. Loading techniques such as block and palletized storage affect how much cargo can fit in the trailer, which impacts FTL and LTL shipments.
Hopefully, the above guide can help ensure you get the most from carrier refrigeration units in Singapore.