Important Questions to Ask About Refrigerated Transport
Posted on: 9 August 2016
Refrigerated transport is a bit different than standard transport, as the freight company you choose will need to have special trucks that are insulated, which provide a cooling fan or other such mechanism, and which ensure that they can maintain a certain temperature when on the road. Because of these factors, refrigerated transport is usually more expensive than any other type of standard freight company, but it's often needed for a variety of perishable items. To ensure you choose the right company and know what's involved with shipping your refrigerated goods, note a few important questions to ask about refrigerated transport before hiring a freight company.
Always ask if ice cream or any other product needs special transport
Because products like ice cream need to maintain a constant temperature that cannot vary by more than a few degrees, and because the temperature inside a truck can be affected by other cargo that is loaded and the number of stops that are made, you need to ask if your product requires special handling. Food items may also be required to remain separate from other items, no matter how they're packed.
This may mean that that ice cream, medicines, raw foods including meats, and other such items are required to be shipped by themselves even if they don't fill up the entire cargo area of the truck. Don't assume you can use a less-than-truckload or similar shipping option for your materials but be sure you ask about what needs any special handling and transport.
Ask if frozen transport means added cost
There is usually a difference between frozen transport and refrigerated transport, and frozen transport may be more costly. This is because the freight company may need to have special insulation in the back of a frozen cargo area, and it may be more costly to them to run cooling equipment to keep that space frozen. Ask if there is a difference in cost, scheduling, cargo area, and the like if you require frozen and not just refrigerated transport.
Ask about their insurance coverage
If a rig were to break down on the road when carrying refrigerated transport, there may be an increased risk of having those items spoil and, in turn, they will need to be discarded. This makes the insurance carried by your freight company more important overall, so be sure you ask about their coverage amount. If necessary, ask them to increase it or increase your own insurance coverage to ensure that you will be reimbursed for any lost cargo.
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