June 2020
Keeping the Cold Chain Connected and Continuous
The concept of the “cold chain” is pretty simple. You are storing, transporting, delivering, and processing food, biological, or pharmaceutical materials that need to be kept within a certain temperature range at all times. This is definitely an “easier said than done” situation, though. And make no mistake, the stakes of preserving your cold chain throughout every step of the importing, storing, transporting, and delivering processes are very high. There are many challenges along the way, and any disruption could cost you your product.
The Cold Chain Is Not without Its Challenges
Whatever you are importing, storing, or shipping, you are going to run into a confusing web of logistics details. When you add in the complication of perishable produce, pharmaceuticals like vaccines, or even biological materials like organs for transplant, the stakes become higher than ever. Knowing your challenges and planning your response to them is a key step in ensuring that the cold chain remains unbroken and that you deliver on your responsibilities. There is no wiggle room in quality standards when it comes to these materials. A thorough plan must be in place.
Documentation in the Cold Chain
Planning, planning, planning. Getting any deliverable to where it needs to be on time and safely is a challenge in and of itself. When you add into the equation the need for constant and precise temperature maintenance, things become really complex. Ensuring that you have all of the proper documentation for importing your product is always a consideration, regardless of what you’re dealing with. When you are dealing in food or pharmaceuticals, though, you also need to document storage conditions at every step throughout the chain. How else will your carrier or receiver be able to verify the integrity of the product?
Ensuring Proper Packaging
The cold chain serves a lot of functions. In the food sector, it not only prevents spoilage, but also maintains the look and overall physical condition of the deliverables. With consumers today being more and more conscientious of what they’re eating, while also having more sophisticated palates that demand flavors from around the globe, expectations in this regard are extremely high. Ensuring that everything you are transporting is not only kept at appropriate temperatures at all times, but is also packaged appropriately for this type of transport, is integral to your success.
Climate Control Disruptions
In cold chain logistics, consistency is key. While some may assume that having advanced refrigeration equipment is enough to guarantee this type of consistency, there are many factors that can lead to disruption. From loading times to extreme weather conditions, insufficient pre-cooling, and multiple deliveries along the way, controlling temperatures can be a huge challenge. Again, careful planning each and every step of the way is your best defense against such problems.
Knowing Your Routes and Your Timeframes
Timing, delays, travel routes—these are major logistics considerations in any scenario. When you are dealing with temperature-regulated materials, however, they become even more important. There are many ways in which delays can enter the equation. Border crossings, detours, good old fashioned traffic jams—you need to plan for all of this. Working with a cold chain logistics provider will help you to navigate this terrain and to ensure that you are prepared to deal with any routing and timeframe concerns.
Extremely High Stakes
The nature of cold chain logistics makes it clear that there is a lot on the line. To put it simply, you are dealing with perishable products. If you are transporting dairy or produce, and you fail to maintain proper temperatures and to deliver in a timely fashion, then you are going to be looking at a major loss in terms of product. When dealing with pharmaceuticals, such as future COVID-19 vaccinations that will always require cold chain logistics for shipping, you are potentially dealing with the health and lives of others. It is an important role where nothing can be left to chance.
JF Moran Keeps Every Link in the Cold Chain Connected
Even the most experienced importers and shippers know that they cannot handle every aspect of their responsibilities on their own. Trying to do so is only setting oneself up for failure. The logistics of these industries are a full time job in and of themselves, and they require modern, global solutions. This is never more true than when it comes to cold chain logistics.
JF Moran has been family-owned and US-based since 1937. We have created an enormous network of agents and partners around the globe that ensures our ability to offer world class service and cold chain logistics. When you let us handle your cold chain logistics needs, you are setting yourself up for success every step of the way. Contact us to discuss your needs today.