Cold Chain Logistics

What Are The Major Sectors In Cold Chain Logistics?

Companies in the food and pharmaceutical sector tend to rely heavily on cold chain logistics services. One of the most recent examples would be the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines are required to be stored at specific temperatures at every stage of the delivery process or they can be rendered useless. Even ice-cream can be rendered useless if it is not stored and delivered at cold temperatures.

Companies can use their own logistics service. However, if they don’t have the resources to manage this end-to-end process, they choose to partner with a reliable shipping company that understands their cold storage needs and can meet their requirement.

What Is Cold Chain In Logistics?

Cold chain is a logistics management process specifically for products that require to be stored and delivered at specific refrigerated temperatures. A failure to store these products at the required temperatures would make the product unusable for the company and its end client.

Key elements to consider in Cold Chain Logistics

Storage: The cold chain process starts in the storage warehouse of the manufacturer itself. The manufacturer can use their own refrigerated warehouse or onboard a third-party warehousing facility which offers the desired refrigeration.

Packaging: Proper packaging can reduce the risk of spoilage in the product and allow more energy efficient storage.

Monitoring: When it comes to cold chain logistics, the regular monitoring of inventory also includes monitoring temperatures, humidity level and other environmental factors that can affect the product.

Transport: Cold chain products can be delivered by land, air, rail or sea. However, the containers that they are shipped in need to be specially equipped to maintain cold temperatures and product safety.

Custom clearance: While being shipped overseas, cold chain products might need custom clearance before the shipment reaches the location. This can help avoid delays caused by paperwork.

Product handling: While delivering cold chain products, it is important to use equipment like boxes and crates which fit the temperature control requirement. It is important to ensure fast delivery while securing the products

Delivery: This could include delivering the shipment to the end customer through their preferred method.