The shipping and logistics sector has advanced significantly in terms of delivering goods quickly and reliably around the world. With the use of innovative technologies and materials, global courier services like DHL Express, continually strive to offer solutions for cross-border shipping through which sensitive and important goods are delivered reliably in the best possible conditions. Temperature-controlled settings are essential for one kind of shipping method that is used nowadays.
The significance of temperature-controlled cargo, the relevant laws and guidelines we follow, and the options we provide to our clients are all covered in detail below.
What is temperature-controlled logistics?
The distribution, transportation, and storage of goods that is sensitive to temperature is known as temperature-controlled logistics. This guarantees that, from package packaging to cold chain maintenance until the package reaches its destination, the temperature is constant, or regulated, throughout the supply chain.
Food items, fresh flowers, perishable commodities, pharmaceuticals, medications, and other medical supplies all require such cold chain specifications. Any temperature compromise can cause items to lose their effectiveness and, when used or ingested, can have major negative health effects.
Cold chain shipping couriers maintain a shipping temperature range between 2ºC and 8ºC to ensure that the quality of the medicines and products do not get compromised. The manufacturer must ensure that all the involved parties understand the temperature requirements and that they are applied across the supply chain. Certain critical touch points which hold the greatest risk of temperature deviation include:
The warehouse where the shipment will be stored prior to its transportation
The route from the manufacturer to the shipper location
During physical loading and unloading of shipments
During the actual transit
Standards and regulations for temperature-controlled courier services
The worldwide norms and laws governing the transportation of temperature-controlled items must be understood by cold chain couriers. They must stay up to speed on all of these requirements in order to guarantee that the cold chain is maintained. Among these criteria are:
- Operational directives for all parties along the supply chain
- Construction of transport network to ensure smooth shipping at temperature-controlled conditions
- Handling methods of temperature-sensitive items, including during cargo inspections
- Monitoring of temperature and location of the cold chain shipping containers
Additionally, carriers need to be aware of the additional rules listed by the following organizations.:
- European Union
- World Health Organisation
- Parenteral Drug Association
- International Air Transport Association
- Pharmacopeia
Types of temperature-controlled transportation
There are several types of temperature-controlled transportation:
1. Refrigerated vehicles
These are conventional vehicles that have temperature-controlled cargo compartments. These vehicles are usually in the form of vans and trucks with their refrigeration units powered either by the vehicle’s engine supply or independently powered supplies. DHL also uses liquid nitrogen technology for refrigeration for items kept at ultra-frozen temperatures.
2. Passive shipping container
Passive shipping containers are basically temperature-controlled shipping boxes with insulation and electronics to maintain the temperature for a short period of time. These containers can be used with other forms of temperature-controlled transport, for example, in refrigerated vehicles, for added protection.
3. Active shipping container
These temperature-controlled shipping containers are similar to passive containers but are much larger, and therefore, used in air and sea freight. Their refrigeration unit is powered by internal batteries or the ship’s or plane’s onboard power supply.
4. Temperature-controlled air freight
Air freight is probably the most popular form of temperature-controlled freight because of the quick transportation time and reduced geographical obstacles. Types of air freight include commercial airlines and dedicated cargo airlines.
DHL Express’s temperature-controlled logistics services
DHL Express offers several temperature-controlled logistics services for pharmaceuticals and life science goods. With certified life sciences and healthcare experts in over 150 global destinations, our customised solutions can help you send your temperature-controlled shipments across the world. We also provide packaging solutions for temperature-controlled goods, such as through our Medical Express (WMX) Service.
Sign up for a DHL Express account today to start delivering temperature-controlled goods.
