Fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, frozen food and pharmaceuticals do not arrive in good condition without temperature control. Refrigerated transport is more than a trailer with a cooling unit; a few simple steps make the difference between sound cargo and a claim.
1. Specify the exact temperature
Every product has its own range. Frozen goods are usually carried at −18 °C or colder, while many fruits and vegetables travel just above 0 °C. Get the exact set point from the producer or buyer and put it in the transport order; a few degrees off can spoil the load.
2. Hand over cargo already cold
A reefer unit is built to maintain temperature, not to cool warm goods. Products must be at the target temperature before loading.
3. Pre-cool the trailer
The load compartment should reach the set temperature before loading so the goods do not warm up as they go in.
4. Load fast and stow correctly
Keep the doors open as briefly as possible. Stow pallets so cold air can circulate around and under the load, and keep goods off the walls and ceiling.
5. Record the temperature
A temperature record from the trailer unit or a data logger inside the load proves the cold chain was kept. It matters if there is a dispute with the buyer or an insurance claim.
6. Prepare health documents
Food and agricultural products usually need a health or phytosanitary certificate. In Europe, the carriage of certain perishable foodstuffs falls under the ATP Agreement, which sets standards for refrigerated transport equipment. Check destination requirements before loading.
7. Plan around borders and holidays
Border queues and public holidays can add days to the trip. For perishables, plan the route and departure so the truck is not waiting at a border over a weekend or holiday, and insure the cargo.
Refrigerated transport with Artam Tir
Artam Tir carries temperature-sensitive cargo in refrigerated trailers to Turkey, Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia; the temperature is set before loading and controlled throughout the trip. See our services.