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Transport by refrigerated trucks

Refrigerated haulage is an extremely important mode of transport. Such freight is carried both domestically and across borders. Organising transport by refrigerated vehicles requires appropriate knowledge on the part of the forwarders. Woz-Trans has all it takes to ensure your satisfaction.

What makes refrigerated transport different?

This type of transport requires extensive knowledge and compliance with many requirements. It all depends on the type of cargo. Currently refrigerated transport is responsible for a large share of the market. Most food products and drugs must be transported under suitable thermal conditions. This is why it is so important to ensure the right conditions for specific products.

What goods require controlled temperature during transport?

The most common commodity transported in refrigerated trailers is food, or more precisely perishable foodstuffs. This means raw or frozen meat, as well as fruit, vegetables, or ice cream. These products must be delivered within the shortest possible time, e.g., 48 hours, or they must be chilled, frozen or heated according to requirements. The ATP Treaty is the primary legal act governing international food transport.

Insider tip: Chocolate is very difficult to transport. Liquid chocolate transported in food tankers must remain at a certain temperature (usually around 40 degrees Celsius). If the temperature drops too much, the chocolate may solidify, and it will be extremely difficult to unload.

Other temperature-controlled goods include cut flowers and medicines.

Vehicles used for refrigerated transport

As mentioned above, refrigerated transport requires the right type of semi-trailer. Woz-Trans forwarders will help you choose the ideal means of transport for your refrigerated goods. Modern temperature-controlled transport most often entails the use of vehicles such as:

Refrigerated Unit – these have a refrigeration unit to ensure the correct temperature in the load compartment (usually below 0 deg C); Perfect for transporting frozen goods over long distances. They can be divided into three types:

  • Doppelstock – a movable floor provides two loading levels
  • Refrigerated unit with a partition – this enables different temperature and humidity requirements to be met on the same semi-trailer
  • Carcass refrigerated unit – equipped with hooks for transporting carcasses.

Isothermal vehicle – vehicles that have an insulated load bed, e.g., with polystyrene foam. Isothermal vans are ideal for short and medium distances, especially when the products being transported require good protection from changes in weather conditions, dust, and dirt.

Dry freezer – vehicles where articles are cooled using dry ice.

Heated means of transport – i.e., those in which cargo space can be heated, e.g., a food tanker.

Required refrigerated transport documents

ATP certificate

Refrigerated vehicles are subject to a simplified inspection every 3 years and a full inspection every 6 years within the scope of temperature stability. If a vehicle meets all the requirements, it receives a n ATP certificate. Then it can carry perishable goods. A vehicle with such a certificate should also have a metal plate affixed to it and a paper certificate.

Requirements with respect to the driver

Additional requirements are also laid down for the driver of a refrigerated vehicle. Primarily the driver should have a valid medical and laboratory test performed at a sanitary and epidemiological station. A doctor’s certificate stating that there are no contraindications to work in which there is a risk of infecting others is also required.

Refrigerated transport – leave it to the professionals

In addition to the requirements described above, temperature-controlled transport obliges the carrier to do one more thing. A substantial proportion of customers require proof that a given carriage was performed at a particular temperature. In such cases refrigerating unit thermograph printouts are required.

Important: For refrigerated transports, a thermograph printout is just as important as other transport documents (CMR waybill or delivery note). If the goods suffer damage (i.e., ice cream melts for example), the printout will be the most important evidence of fault or lack thereof on the part of the carrier. It will show the temperature during transport and at rest stops.

We hope we have shown that we are the right specialists to handle all kinds of refrigerated transport.