A move by shipping companies to control the full reefer logistics chain from farm to final destination aims to improve the quality of fruit and reduce wastage, says logistics consultant Andy Connell.
“It is crazy to use reefers only for port-to-port transport.
“What you have is a mobile warehouse that is also a refrigeration unit.
"You want it as close as possible to the point of production where it can be packed and kept under hermetically sealed conditions.
"This is already finding traction.
“They should only come off power when they reach their destination,” he told Freight News.
By building chilled cross-dock facilities close to the main growing areas, shipping lines are also taking greater control of the movement of containers, which should help reduce equipment shortages, he adds.
“This means that perishable products are locked into the cold chain a good two to ten days earlier than moving through quayside chilled cross-dock facilities.”
The lines are able to offer a true door-to-door service, with the customer receiving a single invoice for the packing, transport and shipping.
“This gives both the producer and customer peace of mind.
"As a shipper you just seal the container and get paid 30 days later when it arrives at your customer’s door.”
- Read the full article in our Freight Features edition on "Cold Chain Logistics."
