When it comes down to logistics when shipping products, protecting temperature-sensitive shipments from freezing during transit is important. Both full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping face challenges when it comes to maintaining appropriate temperatures.
Let’s look into some of the best practices there are to help ensure that your company’s goods arrive at their destination in optimal condition.
Understanding the Risks
When shipping products that are sensitive to freezing temperatures, such as pharmaceuticals, food items, chemicals, and wine and beer, you need to understand all the risks involved. These products can be damaged and rendered useless if exposed to freezing conditions. For both FTL and LTL shipments, this means taking more proactive steps to prevent temperature drops during transport.
Best Practices for FTL Protection From Freeze
1. Pre-Conditioning Trailers
Before loading the inventory, ensure that the trailer it is going in is pre-conditioned to the appropriate temperature. This helps stabilize the internal environment and reduces the risk of dangerous and detrimental temperature fluctuations.
2. Insulated Packaging
Always use high-quality insulated packaging materials such as thermal blankets, insulated box liners, or pallet covers. These materials provide an additional layer of protection against cold temperatures.
3. Real-Time Temperature Monitoring
It is also a good idea to implement some kind of real-time temperature monitoring that can help track the internal conditions of the trailer during transit. This lets you act immediately if the temperature approaches critical levels.
Best Practices for LTL Protection From Freeze
1. Consolidation
Consolidate shipments when possible that require similar temperatures. This reduces the risk of exposure to freezing temperatures by minimizing the number of stops and transfers.
2. Insulated Pallet Covers
Use insulated pallet covers, such as SureTemp or StratoFoil covers, to protect your goods during the different stages of LTL shipping. These covers help maintain a stable temperature.
3. Temp Controlled Warehousing
You can also choose to use temperature-controlled warehousing facilities during required layovers or transfers. This ensures that the goods remain at a safe temperature, even when they are not in transit.
Protecting your FTL and LTL shipments from freezing requires a combination of proper planning and high-quality materials. By implementing these best practices, you can ensure that your temperature-sensitive goods arrive in perfect condition, regardless of the weather conditions they encounter during transit.
