Features of transportation of various cargoes on domestic and international airlines

Refrigerated transportation today is a very popular service, but before talking about its features, you need to decide what it is in principle. The variety of products transported by road is incredibly large.

And not all cargo requires the same storage and transportation conditions, which must be taken into account when selecting a vehicle. A huge number of goods are classified as perishable, otherwise, with a short shelf life.

To transport them, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions, primarily in terms of low temperature conditions. This problem is solved through refrigerators equipped with a specialized temperature and humidity control system, as well as refrigeration units.

Transportation by refrigerators in our country is a service that is in demand all year round. You can rent such equipment from specialized companies.

Classification of special vehicles

Refrigerated transportation, as mentioned earlier, is the transportation of perishable goods using vehicles equipped with a special body in which a given temperature regime is maintained using refrigeration equipment. This type of delivery of goods is ideal for long journeys over long distances, since there is no need to use additional special equipment for cooling or freezing, for example, food.

It is not difficult to select the optimal vehicle for each specific category of cargo. To do this, it is enough to know the current classification of refrigerated vehicles, which implies the following gradation of vehicles.

Trucks of various types are usually divided into groups according to weight category. According to this parameter, vehicles with a maximum load capacity of up to:

• 3 tons – low;
• 5 tons – average;
• 20 tons is high.

In addition, refrigerated trucks are distinguished by the temperature regime maintained in the body:

• 0 / +12 degrees Celsius – class “A”;
• -10 / +12 degrees Celsius – class “B”;
• -20 / +12 degrees Celsius – class “C”;
• -20 / +2 degrees Celsius – class “D”;
• -10 degrees Celsius and below – class “E”;
• -20 degrees Celsius and below – class “F”.

In this case, it can be stated that in the back of class “E” and “D” vehicles, light freezing of cargo is possible, and the lowest temperature indicators can be maintained in a class “F” refrigerator.

Packaging and loading work

The current rules for the transportation of perishable goods by road establish special requirements for certain categories:

• Only serviceable, washed and dried containers that do not contain foreign odors are suitable.
• Vegetables and fruits are prepared for loading in advance. They are placed in a suitable container tightly, effortlessly, flush with the sides of the boxes to prevent contact with parts of the vehicle body during transportation.
• If the stalk is missing, the duration of transportation of cherries is reduced to 24 hours.
• Meat carcasses are cut, parts of the gastrointestinal tract are removed, and frozen. They use parchment and other spacers made of neutral materials, boxes made of durable corrugated cardboard. The surface of chilled meat should be dry, without signs of organic damage.
• Chilled poultry is transported in containers with gaps for better ventilation. Egg packaging must contain damping inserts to prevent excessive mechanical stress.
• Products with different storage temperatures must not be transported simultaneously in one vehicle. If this condition is met, the duration of the journey is then checked. Compliance is taken into account for the position that deteriorates faster.

Even when using whole high-quality containers, goods from the following list are not transported together with other products:

• salted, smoked, chilled and frozen fish;
• margarine, yeast, caviar, cheeses;
• chilled meat, smoked meats;
• garlic and other vegetables with a strong smell.

The rules for transporting perishable goods by road determine the procedure for handling frozen products during packing. It is performed tightly not only in order to make maximum use of the working volume. This placement allows you to create a seamless zone without cold leaks, which reduces the cost of maintaining a low temperature.

A different approach is used when working with fruits, vegetables, and other fresh (chilled) products.

Unless otherwise specified, it is standard to leave approximately 25-30cm of space between the load and the inside surface of the van. The last row of drawers is installed flush with the doors to ensure reliable support.

If special handling is required, special markings are applied to the container.

Rules for transportation by refrigerated trucks

According to international standards, refrigerated trucks must undergo a full technical inspection and sanitary treatment of the cargo compartment before each trip. After these activities, the driver receives the appropriate documents (including a sanitary passport) confirming the safe operation of the truck.

In addition, this transport is equipped with a modern GPS tracking system, which provides the ability to control the movement of the vehicle with cargo. And the drivers themselves regularly undergo medical examination, which is mandatory on the day of departure on the route.

Selecting the optimal delivery option

The use of automobiles is economically feasible over relatively short distances. They are convenient when organizing delivery to several addresses. To successfully solve certain problems, it is worth considering other types of transport:

• Prompt delivery of blood and other medical supplies is carried out using aviation.
• River and sea vessels are suitable for handling large quantities of goods.
• Transportation of perishable goods by rail is carried out strictly according to schedule.

Each method has certain advantages and disadvantages. The slowness of sea transport should be taken into account when calculating the route. However, it is precisely this that has to be used for long-distance intercontinental movement of products with a relatively low unit cost per unit weight. Railroad technologies are cheaper than road technologies, but it is not always possible to organize delivery to the desired address without overloading.

Transportation Features

Compliance with safety precautions and sanitary standards in force in the countries through which the refrigerator is moving are mandatory conditions for cargo transportation of this type.

In addition, proper placement of cargo in the back of a vehicle is of great importance. This means that products and goods transported in the same cargo compartment must be absolutely compatible with each other. As an example, we can mention the prohibition of transporting meat and milk in a single compartment of a refrigerator.

Solving complex problems

When organizing complex schemes, the rules for the transportation of perishable goods are applied separately for each type of transport. You can find out more information in regulatory industry documents. Calculation of combined deliveries is carried out taking into account the shelf life of each product item and their compatibility.

Emergency situations should be resolved as quickly as possible to prevent damage.

For this reason, special attention should be paid to the technical condition of rolling stock and refrigerated equipment. Sealing and other special measures prevent theft.

Natural loss is calculated according to current standards. So, when transported in an insulated car body, losses can amount to a distance of 2 thousand km:

• apples – 4.2%;
• pears – 3.8%;
• plums – 6.8%.

For better preservation, perishable products are transported in a specially prepared environment, which consists of 3–6% oxygen and 94–97% inert gases.

Transportation requirements

To carry out refrigerated transportation, vehicles with special characteristics are required, which, moreover, meet regulated requirements. In addition to the mandatory presence of a sanitary passport, the car must have refrigeration equipment that provides heating and cooling of the cargo, respectively, in winter and summer.

Before sending a refrigerator, the temperature in its body is measured, and this data is entered into the accompanying documents. Containers that should not be damaged are also subject to inspection. The documentation also indicates the period of transportability of the cargo and the numbers of seals on the container, if any are used for security purposes.

The following cargoes are subject to transportation by refrigerated trucks:

• fish and meat;
• caviar and eggs;
• berries, fruits and vegetables;
• milk and dairy products;
• butter and cheese;
• serums and vaccines;
• medicines, organs for transplantation and donated blood;
• all kinds of frozen food products.

Among other things, live plants, seeds, seedlings, tubers, flowers, etc. are delivered using refrigerated trucks.

The temperature classification adopted in the Russian Federation and the EU provides for the following categories of products.

• -18 °C – deep frozen;
• -17 / -7 °C – frozen;
• -6 / +4 °C – chilled;
• natural indicators of temperature and humidity - fresh;
• 2-3 °C above ambient temperature - heated.

In conclusion, we note that the rules and regulations for refrigerated cargo transportation are almost identical for sea, road, air and rail transport.

Transportation of various food products with a short shelf life

Perishable products are:

• fresh flowers, plants, seeds;
• mushrooms, fruits, berries, vegetables;
• live fish eggs, fry;
• meat and dairy products - cheeses, meat products, canned food, butter;
• animal products – eggs, poultry, meat, fish.

Transportation of perishable food products is carried out in chilled, fresh, deep-frozen form. Delivery is made at different temperatures by isothermal van or refrigerator. Optimal choice of transport for each mode. We deliver perishable products along special routes, ensuring prompt transportation of perishable goods.

Procedure for delivery of goods

Route planning, cost calculation, agreeing on the amount with the customer.
Cargo collection, weighing, consolidation and packaging, invoicing.

Sending cargo to destination

Tracking cargo and providing information about its location

Receipt of cargo, presentation of closing documents.

Cost of refrigerated transportation

Special vehicles

Static cooling

The walls of containers and other working volumes, regardless of the type of vehicle, are made with improved insulation characteristics. A typical engineering solution has the following parameters:

1. The outer and outer walls are made of steel. Between them a layer of polyurethane foam or other suitable insulation is installed.
2. The floor is strengthened taking into account future operational loads. To improve ventilation, some models are designed with an air gap.
3. The doors are equipped with reliable seals that maintain functionality over a wide temperature range.

An insulated container in this design is intended for relatively quick deliveries (no more than 24 hours). Preservation is extended by lowering the temperature. The simplest option is to add ice (in large pieces, or crushed in special containers).

This technology has several disadvantages:

• free space and payload capacity are reduced;
• the volume of operations during loading and unloading increases;
• Difficulties arise in maintaining optimal temperature conditions.

The last point must be clarified with a practical example. If the transportation of perishable goods by road is carried out in mountainous areas, the temperature difference in the plain and on high sections of the route can be tens of degrees. Under such conditions, the static cooling method will not achieve the desired result.

Dynamic cooling

The noted deficiencies are corrected using a refrigeration unit. Automotive vehicles with refrigerators are divided into three categories. The ability to maintain operating temperatures in the following ranges (°C) is taken into account:

1. Class A – from 0 to +12.
2. B – from -10 to + 12.
3. C – from -20 to +12..

Additional requirements apply to internal surfaces. To comply with sanitary regulations for the transportation of perishable goods, thorough cleaning is required after each flight. Manufacturers select construction materials that will not be damaged by regular implementation of such procedures. In some modifications, internal partitions are installed, which allow you to create several different temperature zones. In addition to powering the equipment from the on-board network, a separate gasoline or diesel generator is used. Expanded equipment increases the cost, but provides a better level of reliability combined with autonomy.

Preparation of rolling stock

Wagons in which products with short shelf life are to be transported are pre-prepared for the trip. To do this, check:

• temperature inside each car;
• serviceability of climate control equipment (if any);
• cleanliness of internal surfaces;
• safety of movement in the carriage;
• proper heating in winter.

We also monitor the authenticity of accompanying documentation, the availability of sanitary certificates and other permits.

Driver documents

The responsible person must have:

• license of the category of the car being driven;
• power of attorney to drive transport or car registration certificate;
• maintenance certificate;
• OSAGO;
• car sanitary passport.

If the car is not the property of the driver, he is an employee of a logistics company, you need to have a copy of the concluded employment contract with the employer.

Meat and meat products

Meat products are most often transported chilled or frozen.

Fresh meat is not delivered in railway cars. To travel without problems, you will need to comply with the requirements approved at the legislative level. This will ensure the proper quality of the transported products and significantly reduce the risk of cargo damage in transit.

1. Passing a veterinary inspection of luggage and obtaining permission for transportation.
2. The temperature of the raw materials before loading must meet the required standards.
3. Cattle carcasses and pork are transported cut, most often in halves or quarters. Small cattle and other small animals are supplied in whole carcasses.
4. Large carcasses (beef, horse meat) are placed on a prepared wooden pallet, or hung vertically on mounts designed for this purpose.
5. The entrails are first removed from the carcasses, and the meat is washed to remove bruises.
6. Frozen raw materials must have a temperature of at least -8 degrees Celsius before loading.
7. If possible, relatively small pieces of meat are wrapped in wrapping paper or cling film, which helps to avoid the pieces sticking together.
8. Whole or large carcasses are transported only with a severed head. Large items are laid across the wagon/pallet and delivered to the loading point.
9. Chilled meat products are transported under the condition that the entire process will take 6-7 days, from shipment to unloading at the point of arrival.
10. Smoked meats and other sausages are transported in containers with good ventilation. Products must meet quality standards and be free from damage, deformation and other defects.
11. Frozen semi-finished meat products are placed in cardboard boxes or polypropylene bags. Transportation is carried out in isothermal or refrigerated cars. The temperature inside the carriage is -18-20 degrees Celsius.

The newness of the equipment, the types of specialized cars and their preparation for the journey affect the method of packaging, stowage and speed of delivery.