The Advantages of Reefer Trucking for Perishable Goods

Temperature Control for Perishable Goods: The Advantages of Reefer Trucking

adam • March 14, 2023

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What Are the Advantages of Using Reefer Trucking for Perishable Goods?

The global refrigerated transport market is growing bigger almost by the day. In 2022, the global market size reached $17.8 billion, and growth is forecasted to continue. IMARC Group predicts the market will reach $24.3 billion by 2028. That would be a compound annual growth rate of 5.31% from 2023 to 2028.

The market’s growth, combined with other factors, has put shippers under increasing pressure to provide available access to refrigerated transport. This challenge has left shippers trying to find ways to cope. One of those ways can be partnering with a tech-enabled reefer logistics provider. This blog will delve into reefer freight and its challenges. We will also discuss three advantages of using a 3PL to handle reefer freight and look into what the future could hold for the business.

What is Reefer Freight?

Before the 1930s, any form of refrigerated shipping depended on ice and salt. But in 1938, African-American inventor Frederick McKinley Jones created the first mobile refrigeration unit for trucks. That was the real start of refrigerated trucking, also known as “reefer” trucking. Reefer freight is a shipping method that specializes in the transportation of products that require a stable temperature to stay fresh. This also includes controlling humidity and sufficient airflow. Today, there are about half a million refrigerated trailers in use.

Reefer trucking is not limited to perishable foods such as meats, produce, and dairy products. Here is a list of items that often need the use of reefer trucking:

Foods
Beverages
Flowers
Pharmaceuticals
Blood
Personal care products
Fine art or antiques
Temperature-sensitive equipment.

From this list, it’s easy to see the importance of reefer trucking because many of those items are essentials we use in our daily lives.

What are the challenges of reefer freight?

Reefer freight deals with the challenges that the shipping world faces these days as well as some special concerns that make refrigerated transportation an even bigger mountain to climb. Let’s take a look at some areas affecting reefer freight.

Temperature assessment and maintenance

Regarding reefer freight, keeping the shipment at the correct temperature is the greatest challenge. The greatest dangers to loss of temperature come when there are poor loading and unloading practices or when the shipment sits in the loading dock too long. Analysts in the industry estimate that almost a third of the refrigerated cargo loaded onto refrigerated vehicles is at the wrong temperature at the time of loading. There is also the concern that the reefer unit will be set at the wrong temperature or have a problem working during the journey, which compromises the temperature for a period of time. With any of these slip-ups, the product’s temperature can exceed the food tolerance level and can lead to the load being rejected by the receiver, which will likely negatively affect both a company’s bottom line and its reputation.

These concerns can be counteracted with monitoring and maintenance. Today’s technology means many refrigeration units have hundreds of alarm codes and most shipments have monitors that regularly check the temperature and send out real-time alerts if there is a problem. It’s also a plus to have someone consistently looking at possible breakdown areas — fluid leaks, compromised belts and hoses, damaged air chutes, condenser problems, flawed calibration, sensor malfunctions, and damaged door seals. Regular maintenance checks can often take care of those problems before they put any of the reefer or product in jeopardy.

Operator error can also be a big concern when it comes to reefer trucking. All drivers should have training in how to handle the reefer unit. If a driver is inexperienced, they could set the unit to the wrong mode. If they are not familiar with a reefer’s alarm codes, they won’t respond correctly when an alarm is triggered. They should also make a visual inspection of the load before traveling.

Driver shortages

The growing demand in e-commerce and the ongoing driver shortage have created a double whammy for shippers. The task of finding capacity for all of the loads has become more difficult for a business that has been facing a driver shortage for more than a decade. Based on an estimate by American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello said the shortage could more than double and surpass 160,000 in 2030. With the long hours, tough conditions, and time away from home that drivers have to deal with, the industry is having trouble attracting employees. In a bid to try to entice new drivers, some companies are considering pay increases along with other perks such as weekend driving pay increases, performance bonuses, and rewards programs.

Difficulty maintaining visibility over volatile operations

You name it, reefer shippers are being hit with it — climbing costs, rising volume, driver shortages, and a supply chain that is volatile. All of this is while dealing with labor-intensive operations that need constant monitoring of a product that can come with high costs if it is spoiled. Keeping visibility becomes of prime concern, which becomes difficult when trying to overcome all of the hurdles that come with an unsettled market. When your shipment has to deal with all of these concerns, it shows the importance of having state-of-the-art technology that can offer real-time status updates and shipment locations.

Three Advantages of Reefer Freight From an Expert-Driven 3PL

With such a complex world as reefer freight, you need to have someone with experience and knowledge. A partnership with a reliable reefer-first 3PL can give you just what you need. They can take some of the pressure off your company and provide you with the expertise you need. Let’s take a look at three ways in which a reefer-first 3PL can help you step up your game.

Temperature control from transportation experts

Being able to maintain the ideal temperature control on a shipment from start to finish is the No. 1 priority when it comes to reefer shipping. An experienced reefer 3PL, like Entourage Freight Solutions, can make sure every angle is covered with up-to-date technology that enables real-time tracking of the temperature of the shipment that is available at all times throughout the entire journey.

“We will give you transparency and visibility into what is happening with that freight at any time,” said Cody Magrum, director of sales at Entourage Freight Solutions. “I know the difference between 34 degrees versus 34 degrees continuous (continuous means it stays that temperature the entire time) and we have checked with the truck that we STAY at 34, not get up to 40 and go back to 34.”

Optimized access to reefer freight capacity

Capacity is probably the second biggest concern in reefer freight. With a reliable 3PL partner taking the reins, capacity can be optimized because the 3PL gives you a competitive advantage with buyer power. A successful 3PL represents many customers and larger amounts of freight volume, which means it can better negotiate an advantageous freight rate for you. Along with that, carriers will be more willing to go a step further to make sure the capacity of the 3PL’s clients is also taken care of to keep a beneficial relationship blossoming. Also, good 3PLs have built up many relationships along the way that can make it easier to find a carrier for your capacity because they can quickly link up with a carrier if time is of the essence for one of your shipments.

High-Stakes Shipping Requires High Visibility

When you have a 3PL that can take excellent care of the temperature control and capacity, you next want to look for one that can provide the same type of visibility. Not only regularly alerting you as to the current temperature of the shipment, but also informing you on where the shipment is and how long until it will reach the destination.

“We know the nuances of perishable transportation,” said Magrum, Entourage Freight Solutions’ director of sales. “We have problem-solving skills” and can take things off the customers’ hands. “We can set the appointments if that is what you prefer. If a truck has a 3 a.m. delivery, you will get an update at 1 a.m. to let you know they are tracking at time. When it checks in, you’ll get an update. We are always proactive in our communications so you know at all times what is going on.”

The Future of Reefer Freight

Certainly one of the things that will be a part of reefer freight in the future is what impact will it make on sustainability. Let’s take a look at the issues that shippers and other parts of the supply chain will be facing:

Food waste mitigation: While it’s impossible to get rid of all food waste, there are ways to improve. At the top of the list is keeping containers at the right temperature to avoid spoiling. Superior cold-chain equipment and more dedicated monitoring can both be vital to curtail waste.
Complex food supply chains: With the supply chain in reefer freight expected to continue growing, the weight of successfully navigating food supply chains gets even more crucial. Communication throughout the entire chain is the way to overcome that complexity and make sure all shipments are reaching their destinations on time.
Reducing the carbon footprint: From working with newer, less-harmful types of refrigerant to cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions with variable speed drives for compressors, there are many new ways popping up to reduce CO2 in refer freight.
Technology: The digitalizing of companies and the continuing advancements in technology will push reefer freight to greater heights. Technology continues to map each step of the shipping process more accurately and it provides even more precise monitoring of shipments. Those are just two of the many ways that tech takes it to the next level.

Don’t worry, Entourage Freight Solutions Can Help You Keep Up

Shippers are under increasing pressure from many sides to keep up with this hectic time in reefer freight. They must deal with three challenges that are heightened by greater volume — temperature assessment, driver shortages, and visibility. This is where a reefer-first 3PL can help handle some of the burdens and relieve some headaches. Entourage Freight Solutions, an expert in navigating reefer freight, can be your perfect partner. EFS has an experienced and highly knowledgeable team that is ready to help shippers get reefer freight on the road faster while offering a competitive rate and the ability to trace every shipment’s movement in real-time from the beginning through to the delivery. If you need that helping hand, check out our website and request a quote today.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.