Reefer shipping is the process of moving perishable items in containers with cooling systems, usually trucks. This is very important for businesses that deal with selling fresh produce but it has its own difficulties that could affect the quality and safety of cargo if they aren’t dealt with correctly.
Knowing these problems and applying effective solutions is critical for keeping goods intact during transport.
Temperature Control
One of the biggest problems with reefer shipping is keeping the right temperature, as changes can affect perishable goods and cause them to spoil. Effective cold chain management is crucial to minimize food loss, which can be as high as 25% due to breaches in temperature control during transit.
This can result in financial losses. To ensure that temperatures stay steady, you need modern reefer units with precise temperature control and real-time monitoring.
Of course, you will also need to train your employees to read the data so that they can react promptly.
Power Supply Issues
Another big issue is the power supply. These containers need a constant power source to keep their cooling units working. If there are any power cuts or stoppages while these containers are in transit, it can risk the safety of the cargo inside them. A good unit will always keep reefer rates low, as modern ones are designed to do a very good job without consuming a tremendous amount of power.
You should also consider putting backup power sources, like batteries or generators, in the reefer container in case there is a power outage. It’s also helpful to have smart sensors that check the power levels and let the crew know if there might be a problem.
Compliance with Regulations
An additional struggle in reefer shipping is meeting international rules and standards. The latest regulations may vary by country or cargo type, so it’s important to stay informed. Collaborating with logistics providers who possess knowledge about compliance needs and employing technology for handling and documenting compliance can make this task less complicated. Regular audits and training sessions help ensure ongoing adherence to regulations.
Handling and Packaging
Correct handling and packing of goods is essential to avoid physical harm and temperature changes. Insulated, robust packaging materials specifically designed for reefer shipping can effectively protect the cargo. It’s important to implement procedures for handling perishable goods, including correct loading and unloading methods.
Providing guidance to employees on how they should be handling and packaging can reduce the risk of harm and keep the cargo’s fullness intact.
Cargo Security
Making sure the cargo remains secure is another challenge in reefer shipping. Monitoring with GPS, making sure seals are secure, and having cameras watching—all these things can help protect the cargo. Also, only impenetrable and high-security seals should be used. Before the shipment departs, check the container and conduct thorough security audits and inspections to help find any possible weak points.
It is critical to train workers so that they remain vigilant and report any suspicious actions in order to keep the shipment secure. Furthermore, establishing a protocol for responding to safety breaches ensures prompt action to mitigate any harm or loss.
Environmental Impact
Reefer shipping has environmental effects due to energy use by refrigeration units and emissions from transport vehicles. Many reefers use diesel-powered cooling systems, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from frequent vessel operations. People can reduce the impact by utilizing energy-saving technologies and methods.
Cooling methods that use environmentally friendly coolants, such as ammonia or CO2, can help reduce the environmental impact because they have less global warming potential. By optimizing ship routes to reduce both travel distance and time, one can reduce fuel usage and emissions. Using vessels that produce fewer emissions, like those powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), or having exhaust gas cleaning systems helps decrease the environmental impact more.
Conclusion
Reefer shipping, essential for perishable goods, involves challenges. These include maintaining exact temperature control to protect the products’ quality and safety, ensuring a dependable power source, meticulously following rules and regulations, using correct handling and packaging methods, real-time observation and communication tactics, and ensuring cargo protection while tackling environmental issues.
By focusing on these points, we can overcome the difficulties in reefer shipping with success if we apply these strategies correctly.
