Refrigerated transport services
How does refrigerated food transportation work?
Before understanding the needs of this type of transport, it’s important to understand what it entails.
What is refrigerated transport?
Refrigerated transport is used to move goods that must be kept at specific thermal conditions.
An example of this is the transport of perishable goods. The handling and management of food must be very careful to ensure excellent quality and safety conditions. Keeping goods at the correct temperature is essential; otherwise, the food would spoil. However, refrigerated transport is not only for food. A much wider range of products may require refrigeration during shipment.
By maintaining the conditions under which refrigerated transport operations are conducted, we can avoid any increase in heat and keep the products at the required temperature to ensure they remain in good condition. This is the main goal of these operations, enabling the goods to reach their destination in optimal condition.
It is worth noting that refrigerated transport is regulated by the ATP Agreement (Agreement on the International Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to Be Used). Due to the specific nature of the products sent via refrigerated transport, this service involves special measures, so its security and control differ from those for other products.
In which fields can refrigerated transport be useful?
Whenever thermal conditions are required for shipping. This includes sectors such as food, chemical, pharmaceutical, or agricultural industries, among others.
How are our vehicles equipped for proper refrigerated freight transport?
To ensure proper refrigerated transport, vehicles must be specially equipped for this purpose. Our vehicles include isothermal,refrigerated, heated, and freezer trucks. Here’s a breakdown of their differences:
- Isothermal: Features insulated walls, roof, doors, and floor to reduce temperature filtration between the inside and outside of the vehicle.
- Refrigerated: Similar to isothermal but includes a cold source, allowing temperatures to drop as low as -20ºC.
- Heated:Equipped with a heat source that maintains a constant controlled temperature, never below 12ºC.
- Freezer:An isothermal vehicle with an individual or collective cooling device, allowing temperatures to stay within a range of -12º to 20ºC.
These vehicles must meet the necessary specifications to preserve the temperature of the goods, thus preventing damage or loss of merchandise.
This is why vehicles used in refrigerated transport operations have insulating materials on the walls, roof, floor, and doors. These units undergo periodic inspections to ensure they are fully functional and will not cause any damage to the goods during transport.
Requirements for a reefer transport vehicle
Vans or trucks transporting refrigerated products must meet three characteristics to ensure the cold chain is maintained:
- The interior must be airtight, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant.
- The surface must allow air circulation, meaning that refrigerated goods must have adequate ventilation.
- There must be no connection between the cargo area and the driver’s cab.
All our vehicles meet the necessary requirements to ensure that your goods, be they food, chemical, or pharmaceutical products, are kept in perfect condition at all times. Your goods will arrive at their destination in optimal condition and as quickly as possible.
What refrigerated products can be transported?
All types of perishable products that require refrigeration to retain their organoleptic properties for consumption can be transported. The most common goods that companies typically send via refrigerated or isothermal trucks include:
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
These products, like fruits and vegetables, need to be shipped at around 5°C to ensure optimal preservation.
Meats
These products must also be transported at specific temperatures to maintain freshness.
Beverages and Ice Cream
Products such as milk (+4°C), yogurt (+4°C), or ice cream (-10°C) can easily spoil if not kept at the correct temperature.
Pharmaceuticals
Medications and vaccines must be transported at controlled temperatures to avoid spoilage.
Recommendations for proper transport of refrigerated and frozen goods
Before conducting a refrigerated transport operation, it is essential to understand the characteristics of the load—its volume, weight, and type. This helps to avoid technical and financial issues that could affect the conditions of the hired freight transport service.
At Ibercóndor we offer some advice:
- Before starting the operation, pre-cool the unit and regulate the temperature.
- Ensure the goods are properly packaged before transport.
- Load the goods as quickly as possible to prevent the doors from staying open for too long.
- Pre-cool the container before loading to keep the cooling system in line with the goods’ temperature requirements.
The freight company is responsible for ensuring the success of refrigerated transport operations so that the shipments reach their destination in optimal conditions. Therefore, it’s important to understand their methods to ensure they offer quality service. At Ibercondor, we are transparent in our work and comply with all current regulations.
Quality and trustworthy transport
With over 35 years of experience,Ibercondor specializes in refrigerated transport of pharmaceutical products, including medications and vaccines. We are one of only three forwarders at Barcelona Airport with the CEIV Pharma certification, which ensures excellence in handling pharmaceuticals for human use across the entire air logistics chain.
Our team will advise and help you select the best routes and monitor compliance with health requirements and thermal condition standards.
Do you need help with the transportation of your goods? Do you have questions about customs or logistics processes?
As a company specializing in refrigerated transport services, we help you carry out your refrigerated or other freight operations to and from any location worldwide, providing guidance on the best type of transport and customs processes for each operation and type of business.