Know the Cold Chain Logistics Process, Technology, and Common Problems!

Cold chain logistics is a logistics management system specifically designed to maintain the proper temperature and environmental conditions of products that require temperature control, ranging from foodstuffs, medical products, to chemicals. Cold chain logistic covers all stages of delivery and storage, from production, transportation, storage, distribution, to final consumption.

The main objective of cold chain logistics is to ensure that products remain in optimal conditions during the entire distribution path, so that they can remain safe, quality, and compliant with fit-for-use standards. This is especially important for products that are highly sensitive to temperature changes, such as vaccines, medicines, and perishable foodstuffs. In cold chain logistics, every stage of distribution is closely monitored and controlled to ensure that the temperature and condition of the product is maintained properly, so that the product remains safe and quality until it reaches the end consumer. Get to know more in this TransTRACK article!

What is the Importance of Cold Chain Logistic?

Cold chain logistic is essential as it contributes to the maintenance of quality, safety, and reliability of products that require temperature control, such as medical products, foodstuffs, and chemicals.

Some of the reasons why cold chain logistic is so important include:

Maintaining product quality

Some products such as vaccines, medicines, and perishable foods require the right temperature to maintain their quality. Cold chain logistic ensures proper temperature and humidity during transportation and storage so that products remain in optimal condition.

Improving efficiency

Cold chain logistic helps improve efficiency and reduce losses by extending product shelf life and avoiding damage associated with unwanted temperature changes.

Improving security

Cold chain logistics helps ensure product safety by preventing microbial growth and ensuring products are free from contamination during transportation and storage.

Support international trade

Cold chain logistics is essential in international trade, where products that require temperature control must be transported and stored in the right way to meet import and export requirements.

As such, cold chain logistic is critical in maintaining the quality, safety, and reliability of products that require temperature control, and is indispensable for ensuring the availability and distribution of safe, quality products to consumers around the world.

Cold Chain Logistics Process

The cold chain logistics process involves several stages of managing products that require temperature control, such as vaccines, medicines, and foodstuffs. The following are the stages in cold chain logistics:

Variations in Demand

Cold chain logistics can experience variations in demand in some situations, such as when there is a surge in demand during the holiday season or during a pandemic. Demand variations can affect the cold chain logistic process, especially in terms of product inventory and distribution.

The following are some of the impacts of demand variation in cold chain logistic:

Supplies

In a situation of sudden increase in demand, the inventory of products that require temperature control may be insufficient to meet the demand. Therefore, it is necessary to have better inventory planning and a flexible inventory system that can be organized according to demand.

Capacity

Variations in demand can also affect transportation and storage capacity in cold chain logistic. Greater capacity may be required to transport and store larger inventories during periods of high demand.

Delivery time

Increased demand can affect product delivery times, as the transportation and distribution process can take longer due to the need to meet higher demand. Therefore, it is necessary to do better planning and timing of deliveries to ensure the products remain in good condition during transportation.

Cost

Increased demand can affect the cost of managing cold chain logistics due to additional costs to increase capacity and the need for more frequent transportation. Therefore, better budget planning is needed to ensure cold chain logistic remains efficient and costs are under control.

In the face of demand variations in cold chain logistic, better planning and flexible management strategies are needed to ensure that the supply and distribution of products that require temperature control remain safe and of high quality. By managing demand well, cold chain logistic can help ensure the availability of safe and high-quality products for consumers around the world.

Load Integrity

Load integrity is critical in cold chain logistic to ensure products that require temperature control remain safe and quality during transportation. Any mistakes in managing load integrity can result in product damage and even endanger consumer health.

Here are some of the factors that must be considered in maintaining cargo integrity in cold chain logistic:

Load preparation

Before a load is transported, ensure that products that require temperature control have been properly packaged and placed in the proper containers to maintain the desired temperature. Each package should be visually inspected to ensure that no damage or leaks have occurred.

Loading of cargo

Cargo must be carefully loaded and arranged so that no part of the load is too dense or too loose. The load should also be placed in a safe and stable place so that it does not move or fall during transportation.

Transportation of cargo

During transportation, the cargo should be transported in appropriate vehicles equipped with appropriate temperature control systems to maintain the desired temperature. During transportation, the cargo should be monitored regularly to ensure the temperature and integrity of the cargo is maintained.

Loading and unloading

Loads should be loaded and unloaded with care, using appropriate equipment such as forklifts or hydraulic hands. Products that require temperature control should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and placed in a suitable storage area to maintain the desired temperature.

Shipping and distribution

Products must be retested after transportation to ensure that the quality and integrity of the cargo is maintained during transportation. Damaged or defective products must be removed from inventory immediately and not distributed to consumers.

In cold chain logistic, the integrity of the cargo is crucial to ensure that products that require temperature control remain safe and quality during transportation. Every step in cold chain logistics must be carefully executed and closely monitored to ensure the integrity of the cargo is maintained.

Transport Integrity

Transport integrity is the process of maintaining the desired temperature and product quality that requires temperature control during transportation in cold chain logistic. It is important to ensure that products remain safe and undamaged during transportation.

Here are some factors that must be considered in maintaining transportation integrity in cold chain logistic:

Choosing the right vehicle

Vehicles used for transportation must match the temperature requirements of the product being transported. They should also be properly maintained and serviced to ensure that the temperature control system is functioning properly.

Ensure proper temperature settings

The vehicle temperature should be monitored regularly during transportation to ensure that the product remains within the desired temperature range. The vehicle temperature should be properly set before the product is loaded.

Using advanced technology

Advanced technologies such as temperature sensors and monitoring systems can help in maintaining the integrity of the transportation and ensure the temperature is maintained during transportation.

Using the right packaging

The product should be properly packaged and use proper packaging to maintain the desired temperature during transportation. The packaging should be strong and resistant to shock or shaking during transportation.

Close monitoring and supervision

Each stage of transportation must be closely monitored and supervised to ensure the integrity of the transportation is maintained. In the event of a temperature disturbance, corrective action must be taken immediately to minimize product damage.

Adequate training

Employees involved in transportation should be adequately trained in cold chain logistics procedures and on emergency measures in case of temperature violations during transportation.

In cold chain logistic, transportation integrity is critical to ensure that products that require temperature control remain safe and quality during transportation. Each stage in cold chain logistic must be carried out carefully and closely monitored to ensure that transportation integrity is maintained.

Cold Chain Logistics Technology

Technology has played an important role in the development of cold chain logistics. Here are some of the technologies that are often used in the cold chain logistic process:

Temperature sensor

Temperature sensors are a technology used to monitor product temperature in cold chain logistic. Temperature sensors can indicate whether products have been exposed to undesirable temperatures during transportation or storage.

Monitoring system

Monitoring systems can be used to monitor the temperature and humidity of the environment during transportation and storage. The system can provide real-time information about environmental conditions that help in decision-making.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

RFID is a technology that allows product and location information to be automatically identified. RFID can be used to monitor products and ensure that products are continuously monitored and properly managed during cold chain logistics.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS can be used to track the location of the vehicle and ensure that the product reaches its destination correctly. GPS can also help optimize delivery routes and avoid bottlenecks that can affect the temperature in the vehicle.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT can be used to connect various devices and enable real-time information exchange. IoT can help in temperature and environmental monitoring and in decision-making based on the information obtained.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing can be used to store data and information obtained from various devices in cold chain logistics. This allows information to be accessed and managed from anywhere.

Cold chain logistics technology helps in ensuring that products remain within the desired temperature range during transportation and storage. They can also help in optimizing shipping routes and making informed decisions.

Common Cold Chain Logistics Problems

Some common problems that are often faced in cold chain logistics include:

Erratic temperature

Temperature breach is a common problem that often occurs in cold chain logistics. It can result from imperfections in the refrigeration system, lack of vehicle maintenance, or errors in temperature monitoring. Temperature violations can cause products to spoil or lose their marketability.

Lack of infrastructure

Inadequate infrastructure can be a bottleneck in cold chain logistics. For example, lack of adequate storage and distribution facilities, or lack of reliable vehicles with good temperature control systems.

Limited human resources

Cold chain logistics requires a workforce that is trained and skilled in the operation and maintenance of refrigeration equipment and vehicles. However, it is sometimes difficult to find adequate labor in this field.

Strict regulatory arrangements

Cold chain logistics involves the transportation and storage of products that require strict temperature control. As a result, strict regulations are required to ensure that products remain safe and quality during transportation and storage. However, setting regulations that are too strict can be a bottleneck in the development of cold chain logistics.

High cost

Cold chain logistics requires considerable costs for equipment, labor, and infrastructure. This high cost can be an obstacle in the development of cold chain logistics, especially in developing countries or in less developed regions.

Complex coordination

Cold chain logistics involves many parties, including manufacturers, distributors, transportation, and cold storage service providers. Complex coordination between these parties can be a challenge in running cold chain logistics effectively and efficiently.

These are some of the common problems faced in cold chain logistics. However, with good management, these problems can be overcome and cold chain logistics can run effectively and efficiently to maintain the quality of products that require temperature control.

In the management of cold chain logistics, success in maintaining the quality of products that require temperature control is highly dependent on the availability and reliable performance of vehicles. Therefore, an effective Fleet Management System (FMS) is essential to ensure safe and efficient transportation in cold chain logistics.

TransTRACK, as a trusted FMS provider, can help improve shipping efficiency and minimize the risk of temperature violations during transportation of products that require temperature control. With TransTRACK, customers can access real-time information about the temperature inside the vehicle, monitor mileage, fuel usage, and driver performance.

In conclusion, the Fleet Management System from  TransTRACK can help improve effectiveness and efficiency in cold chain logistics. With the use of advanced technology, such as TransTRACK, cold chain logistics can become more reliable, safe, and efficient in the delivery of products that require temperature control, thus maintaining high product quality and ensuring customer satisfaction.