Expert Advice: Utilizing Cold Chain Solutions to Serve Your Customers

01/05/2025

Helping to protect goods from exposure to temperature variants during transportation, temperature-controlled shipping forms a vital part of numerous industries’ approach to cold chain solutions. By ensuring that temperatures remain regulated throughout transportation, this type of cold chain solution helps preserve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of your cargo while it reaches its final destination.

As consumer expectations for the quality of their produce increases, understanding the importance of achieving a temperature-controlled environment is a vital part of your business’s overall global shipping strategy.

Relying on Cold Chain Solutions: Which Industries Need to Keep Cool?

The number of industries relying on cold chain solutions continues to grow, with chemical and petrochemical shipping also requiring temperature control throughout transportation. It is important to keep in mind that temperature requirements may vary from cargo to cargo, so you should always consult an expert carrier for advice on best practice.

Some key industries that rely on cold chain solutions include:

Originating centuries ago, to avoid damage through rot and mold, cold chain logistics for the transportation and storage of perishable food products is imperative. For example, when it comes to shipping meat internationally, efficient cold chain management is crucial to protecting public health. Maintaining consistent temperature controls throughout transportation reduces the likelihood of harmful bacteria growth, which could result in foodborne illnesses and failure to meet safety guidelines.

Similarly, businesses operating in the dairy industry utilize temperature control technologies to ensure that all milk and dairy products remain safe for consumption. This also reduces food waste through unsellable produce and helps prevent financial losses.

Another key industry that requires optimum cold chain solutions is the pharmaceutical industry. In recent years, blood stem cells, tissues, transplant organs, and a range of different medicines and vaccines are shipped internationally, and all must be kept within a range of 2° to 8°C (or even down to -80°C) to ensure the products are effective for patients.

Because of the nature of this cargo, the need to develop a proper cold chain management system at all stages of your supply chain is critical.

Connecting You with Your End-User Through Cold Chain Solutions

Cold storage, also known as ‘the rise of the reefers’ in a BBC article, is a vital part of your cold chain shipping solutions.

Controlled via an integrated microprocessor, reefer containers can be used to transport a variety of temperature sensitive cargo. Not only does this ensure your cargo remains at the correct temperature throughout transportation due to the consistent power supply, but as these containers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can be used to transport cargo across numerous industries.

Aside from this, technology developments mean that your cargo can be monitored remotely throughout transportation to ensure that temperatures remain at the correct levels throughout shipping.

Equally, the use of refrigerated vehicles and the development of cool rooms and temperature-controlled storage facilities mean that any goods requiring temperature control can be stored or transported over long distances without damage.

Ask MSC

Not only do we have one of the largest and most advanced fleet of reefer containers in the world, but at MSC we also have the experience and scalability to help support your cold chain solutions across numerous industries. From production to cooling, and packaging, our experts will be on hand to guide you through every stage of your cold chain supply chain. Contact us today to find out more.