Posts Tagged “temperature controlled shipping”
Great White Fleet Corporation (GWF), an ocean carrier specializing in temperature-controlled logistics, has announced a commercial expansion across its Pan-American and European trade networks. The expansion includes the deployment of its 14th active vessel, 2,000 refrigerated containers, and new multimodal routes ahead of the Q4 2026 peak season.
The Chiquita Enterprise is scheduled to enter service in late 2026. To support the expanded fleet, GWF will add 2,000 refrigerated containers to its rotation by December 2026. The units are equipped with Carrier Transicold’s OptimaLine™ technology, which uses atmosphere control to extend the shelf life of commodities including avocados, berries, citrus, grapes, and other produce during long-distance transit.
GWF is launching three transit corridors in October 2026. A new direct train route will connect the U.S. Midwest via the central rail hub of Harvey, Illinois, to Gulfport, Mississippi, for export into Central America. A direct ocean route from Peru to Philadelphia will serve seasonal produce shipments into the U.S. Northeast. A new ocean service will also connect Guayaquil, Ecuador, directly with U.S. and European ports.
“Deploying the Chiquita Enterprise and injecting 2,000 high-spec reefers into our network directly addresses the industry’s demand for reliable, high-precision cold chain capacity,” said Stefano di Paolo, President of Great White Fleet. “We are protecting our clients’ margins by preserving product quality across longer distances. Our aim, after all, is to be First in Fresh!”
“These new ocean and rail connections greatly expand service offerings and improve destination flexibility,” added Simon Cole, Director at GWF. “By linking Chicago directly to Gulfport, and opening faster lanes out of Peru and Ecuador, we are giving global shippers the agility they need in a dynamic supply chain environment.”
There are numerous factors that must be considered at all times to properly maintain the temperature sensitive products being transported. Successful cold chains require planning, communication, and the right technology at every step of the journey, according to an article in the online publication, Fresh Fruit Portal.com.
People are continuously searching for a better (and often more cost effective) way to safely transport temperature controlled items around the world.
This stems from a combination of globalization, increased safety regulations, and growing customer demands. Customers in northern regions are coming to expect the availability of fresh tropical fruit all year long. As the world shrinks, so too does the idea of “seasonal produce” and “regional products”.
This trend has led to increased maritime transportation of temperature sensitive products. Perhaps not the most recent invention, but certainly one of the most popular resources used in temperature controlled shipping are refrigerated containers. In fact, in 1980 only 33% of refrigerated capacity was containerized, whereas in 2010 this share was up to 90%, according to a study from Hofstra University.
Thanks to these containers, temperature controlled products can withstand longer transit times without spoiling and consumers around the world can experience exotic foods and goods – perhaps for the first time – without leaving their local grocery store.
For an industry that’s constantly improving, the question soon becomes: “What’s next? How can we improve refrigeration technology for the changing industry?” The answer is not necessarily in improved cooling abilities (although that certainly plays a role), but rather on the supervision and reporting capabilities of reefers.
Today’s technology offers a variety of tools to not only keep products at the right temperature, but to better monitor the load – from temperature sensors and GPS tracking to self-reporting alerts for computers and mobile devices. Smart refrigerated units even help monitor the location, temperature, humidity, and motion of shipments in real time.
Advanced tracking abilities give relevant parties advanced warning of any changes or malfunctions with the equipment. These types of notifications can help ensure necessary maintenance is performed regularly or even secure alternate capacity before a load is compromised. Unfortunately, this type of technology can be costly. Until the price tag comes down, it’s important to weigh the benefits you’ll receive with the expense involved.
Whether or not you decide to employ the latest technology, it’s important to remember other tried and true methods to protect your temperature sensitive freight. From clear communication to process improvements, it is critical to encompass all involved parties in any changes. At a minimum, this should include carriers, vendors, providers, and receivers.
Like the rest of the transportation industry and the world at large, temperature controlled shipping is changing. Technology plays a large role in the dynamic changes we’re already seeing and will continue to see for many years to come. It wouldn’t be surprising if in the near future there will be the ability to regulate the temperature of refrigerated equipment from mobile devices as easily as changing the thermostat at home.