schneider.com Open in urlscan Pro
13.107.246.10  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

Skip to main content
Track a load
Get a quote
Contact us
Available jobs
Register
Log in
 * Shippers
   
   SHIPPER TOOLS
   
   Get A QuoteTrack A Load
   
   Instantly quote, book and track freight
   
   Learn More
   
   SOLUTIONS
   
   Logistics solutions
   Dedicated
   Brokerage
   Long-haul
   Regional
   Expedited
   International
   Warehousing
   Port drayage
   Power only
   
   MODES
   
   Dry van truckload
   Intermodal
   Bulk
   LTL
   Refrigerated
   Flatbed
   
   INDUSTRIES
   
   Explore our industries and book the modes you need
 * Carriers
   
   CARRIER TOOLS
   
   Book a loadBecome a carrier
   
   Access to reliable freight from blue-chip shippers
   
   Register
   Haul with us
   Load board
   Fuel purchasing program
   Payment options
   Buy used trucks and trailers
   Lease a new truck
 * Resources
   
   EXPLORE ALL RESOURCES
   
   Our broad expertise is now at you fingertips
   
   EVENTS
   
   View upcoming and on demand events!
   
   
   
   View events
   Market updates
   Calculators and tools
   Videos
   Research and reports
   Case studies
   Best practices
   Infographics
 * Equipment
   
   GET THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
   
   Explore our used truck and trailer inventory, or see what new and gently used
   truck lease options are available.
   
   Buy used trucks and trailers
   Lease a new truck
 * Company
   
   WE’RE HIRING
   
   See available jobs
   
   SAFETY FIRST & ALWAYS
   
   We’re committed to being a leader and advocate for safety
   
   COMPANY
   
   About
   Newsroom
   Corporate responsibility
   The Grove
   Insurance
   Investors


Skip to main content

Home
Contact us
Login
Menu

RESOURCES


Subscribe

Shipper | Best practices


6 TIPS ON HOW TO SAFELY SHIP TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE FREIGHT

Managing extreme temperatures now top of mind for shippers.

 * brokerage
 * bulk
 * Intermodal
 * dedicated
 * long haul

Share
Share
EmailTwitterFacebookLinkedinPrinter



In early 2021, winter storms set numerous cold-temperature records throughout
the central United States. Just months later, the United States had its hottest
summer, even beating the Dust Bowl of 1936. As extreme weather becomes the norm,
shippers are challenged with keeping food and beverage products safe during
temperature swings.


Shippers need to control and plan for what they can more than ever before to
keep product on shelves and reduce claims. Here are six tips on how to safely
move temperature-sensitive freight in hot or cold weather.


1. GET FOOD AND BEVERAGE FREIGHT AWAY FROM THE WALL

Food and beverage products loaded against a trailer or container wall will be
the same temperature as outside the trailer within 24 hours. Conduction (the
transfer of heat or cold from one object to another) can wreak havoc on
temperature-sensitive cargo. For an unscientific test, place your hand on the
outside of a container and then on the inside wall. Unless the trailer is facing
direct sunlight, the temperature will be the same. Now slowly move your hand
away from the wall. You will notice that as soon as your hand moves away from
the wall the temperature changes and will continue to change until you are about
four inches from the wall. Center loading of freight away from the walls is
strongly recommended to eliminate the impact of temperature — and the farther
away from the walls, the less the chance of conduction.

 * 1" = 15% heat/cold transfer
 * 2" = 10% heat/cold transfer
 * 4" = 5% heat/cold transfer

Product is loaded tight against the walls in intermodal to prevent load shifts.
However, rail providers have approved the use of dunnage, or loose wood or
matting that keeps cargo in place, to fill voids and maintain a distance of 4"
between the sidewall and shippers’ products. A variety of options are on the
market, from airbags to foil-backed fillers, styrofoam panels and folding
fillers. Some shippers have also successfully used old pallets as dunnage.
Carrier loading engineers can help you create a loading pattern that will
protect food and beverage products from damage and temperature and keep product
moving via the rails safely. Some shippers maintain two loading patterns, one
for times or destinations that do not require temperature protection and one for
when it is needed.


2. GET THE PRODUCT OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT CONDUCTION

Conduction doesn’t just happen against the sidewall, it also comes through the
floor. The solution is simple: Ensure that pallets are used to create a barrier
between the product and floor.


3. USE BLANKETS — OVER AND UNDER PALLETS — TO SLOW TRANSFER OF HEAT OR COLD

Blankets are effective in slowing the transfer of heat or cold but need to cover
the product completely. Research simulating temperature changes conducted by the
EPA, Protek and Schneider at Texas A&M revealed that blankets or other
insulation placed under freight, on the floor of the container, are just as
critical as having insulation over and around the pallet. Doing so reduces the
loss of heat/cold through floorboards. The research discovered that contrary to
popular belief, heat/cold is not being transferred from the floor to the product
when sitting directly on it. Instead, heat/cold is escaping the trailer via the
floor and putting the product at risk.

Knowing this, retention and maintenance of optimal temperatures is a must and
can extend the life of a shipment by two to three days. Loads tested side by
side showed a 12-degree difference when floor product was used.


4. RAISE OR LOWER THE TEMPERATURE AT LOADING

Blankets slow the transfer of heat, but timing is everything. Capturing heat in
the winter and cold in summer means your product will be protected longer and
have more time before exceeding your temperature threshold. If you’ve used an
engine heater, you will understand this concept. Plugging in a block heater of a
cold engine has no impact. Plugging in an engine heater as soon as a warm engine
has been turned off maintains the temperature of the engine so that it will
quickly start even in frigid temperatures. By starting at the desired
temperature, you have made the blanket more effective (on top and bottom of the
pallet) and given your food and beverage product more time before it will exceed
its maximum threshold.




5. MONITOR THE WEATHER

Monitoring the weather is complicated: Not only do you need to monitor
temperature and conditions at your points of origin and destination, you need to
include all of the points in between. Doing so needs to be an additional task on
your daily to-do list and can be done manually via the internet or by using a
service which monitors the temperature throughout the planned transit.




6. PARTNER WITH THE RIGHT FOOD AND BEVERAGE CARRIER

Finding the right food and beverage carrier is essential. Asset-based carriers
that own their equipment, like Schneider, have resources to help you develop the
right plan for your freight. Schneider’s experienced load engineers work
directly with customers to develop a customized plan for your specific freight
needs and run test loads to set you up for success. Read more about how
Schneider can help your business navigate food and beverage logistics at our
food and beverage shipping services page.


DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD

Sign up to receive our industry leading newsletter with case studies and
insights you can put to use for your business.

Enter your email

Subscribe

Get a quote
Contact us
Available jobs
Become a carrier

Services
The Schneider advantage
Schneider FreightPower®
Carriers
Register as a carrier
Purchasing program
View used equipment for sale
Become an owner-operator
Resources
Industry insights
Company
About
Newsroom
Investors
Jobs

NEWS DELIVERED

What's impacted your industry recently? Sign up to stay in the know.



Tariffs and Terms and Conditions of Service
Privacy policy
Suppliers
Accessibility
Do not sell or share my personal information (CA only)
Notice at collection (CA only)
Limit the use of my sensitive personal information (CA only)
Copyright © 2023 Schneider National, Inc. All rights reserved.