If you have ever shipped fresh flowers or temperature-sensitive vaccines during mid-winter, you will know that cold chain shipping is not only about keeping products cold — it’s about keeping them at the right temperature. Cold weather shipping often focuses on careful temperature control rather than cooling solutions, which requires a shift in mindset and a very different approach.
Challenges of Cold Chain Shipping in Cold Weather
Cold chain logistics during winter becomes a careful balance between maintaining product integrity and protecting goods from freezing conditions. Temperature control methods vary depending on the products. While icy conditions may be welcome while shipping frozen meat, pharmaceuticals require custom packaging to ensure product efficacy throughout the winter shipping process.
Many products require tight thermal ranges to maintain optimal conditions or efficacy — products such as paint and cosmetics deteriorate if subjected to freezing conditions, so cold chain shippers need to avoid losses through proactive planning and preparation.
6 Tips for Shipping in Cold Weather
Freezing weather can cause extreme product temperature fluctuations or even transportation delays. Use these six shipping tips to plan for cold weather shipping success:
- Know the exact thermal range requirements of products: Know the refrigeration requirements of products to optimize planning.
- Take steps to winterize trucks and storage areas: Ensure refrigeration units are functioning, equipping them with additional protective insulation such as adding temperature-controlled blankets. You should also elevate loads off floors and locate temperature-sensitive products near the center of trucks to minimize exposure to icy outside temperatures.
- Insulate to create thermal barriers: Quality insulated packaging solutions provide thermal protection to temperature-specific goods. They can also be used in winter conditions to protect products against extreme weather.
- Include foam packaging: Foam packaging increases the barrier effect. Using it without cooling ice packs helps lock heat into the products to prevent freezing.
- Create winter contingency plans: Plan ahead in case alternative routes are required and keep operators updated with information to protect sensitive shipments.
- Use temperature monitoring technology: Specialized temperature monitoring indicators provide real time information about product temperature, allowing timely adjustments to prevent deterioration.
Find Effective Cold Weather Shipping Solutions From Pelton Shepherd
Keep all the products in your cold chain logistics operation at the optimal temperature with technologically advanced insulation and packaging solutions from Pelton Shepherd. We have been helping businesses navigate winter weather for over 70 years. To find solutions for your winter shipping needs or learn more, contact us today.
