The Cold Supply Chain is the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods like food, medications, chemicals, and more. This temperature sensitivity makes logistics even more difficult than in the regular supply chain.

The Cold Supply Chain has become especially crucial during COVID as it needed to move medications and groceries all over the country. Unfortunately, thanks to COVID, the supply chain is a bit of a mess.

However, Cold Supply Chain companies face enormous challenges that other logistics companies never have to deal with, even without COVID.

To see the seven most significant challenges facing Cold Chain companies, then continue reading below.

7. Microbial Contamination

Mold and mildew are a problem for cold supply chain companies. That’s because mold is a problem that plagues freezers.

If freezers or fridges are mismanaged or broken, that can cause microbial growth. To catch mold before it becomes unhealthy, companies in the Cold Chain need to monitor their cold storage and freezers constantly.

6. Packaging Problems

Perishable goods need to be kept at a consistent temperature. On top of that, these goods also need to be appropriately packaged.

If the packaging isn’t done correctly or gets damaged, the perishable goods can degrade. Once again, proper monitoring will help spot improper packaging or damage.

5. Lacking Infrastructure

Although the Cold Chain has come a long way, the infrastructure is still lacking. Even if a truck can run an energy-efficient cooling system, it still needs power.

Sometimes, the power plug or voltage required isn’t available to a refrigerated truck. All of that advanced cooling technology makes no difference if a truck needs a charge.

4. Vehicle Breakdown

Although vehicle breakdowns are bad for any logistics company, it’s especially devastating for the Cold Chain. That’s because a delay in refrigerated shipments could mean a destroyed load.

That’s why Cold Chain fleets need to stay on top of tracking and proper truck maintenance.

3. Loading and Unloading Exposure

Cold Chain trucks can’t just drive straight into the cold storage. The goods need to be hauled from the truck to the cold storage.

However, temperature-sensitive goods can degrade during this transition due to prolonged exposure. Cold Supply Chain companies need to be experts at moving goods from the truck to the cold storage without delay.

2. Temperature Fluctuations

During transport, truckers with cold goods need to check the temperature constantly. If they don’t, the safety and quality of the perishable goods can be impacted.

There are normal fluctuations, but any significant fluctuations need to be noticed. Sometimes, drivers can cause fluctuations by opening the door.

This exposes the cargo to ambient temperatures, which can be way higher than the cooled cargo. Cold Supply Chain companies need to always be mindful of how often and when they open their freezer doors.

1. Hardware Breakdown

Hardware breakdown is common in any logistics company. However, Cold Supply Chain companies rely on their hardware to move their temperature-sensitive goods.

If the refrigeration equipment fails, then the entire shipment can be ruined. Or, temperature sensors and freezer doors can become damaged.

That could cause unnecessary delays and require drivers unable to close the doors properly or open the doors and expose the cargo to ambient temperatures.