This Freight Broker's Attention to Detail on Reefer, Produce, & Frozen Freight Is Perfect for Dry Van

Website Editor • December 1, 2021

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Finding the right freight broker for your business can be tricky. Are you shipping refrigerated freight? Are you moving non-perishable goods? Is your cargo high-value? These questions are only a few things to consider, but problems and disruptions may occur even with the best-laid plans. Transportation failures could lead to product losses, especially in the cold chain where perishables find their way from farm to table and beyond. With that in mind, finding a freight broker for each might seem ideal, but there’s a solution hidden in plain sight, and it comes from the risk of spoilage and what shippers can do to stop it.

That’s why it’s important to have an expert in your corner that can handle both sides of the perishable versus non-perishable shipping conundrum. This blog will take a closer look at that fact and why an expert in perishable transport, including produce, frozen foods, and reefer, is your best bet for shipping non-perishables by dry van too.

Why Reefer & Perishable Freight Need Detail Oriented Brokers

Food spoilage is a significant problem. According to Quality Assurance magazine, a 2015 report found that approximately 61% of all food is wasted. Of that, 21% is due to spoilage. However, these statistics overshadow another dark truth. As reported by Global Agriculture, a 2019 study found, “around 14% of the world’s food is lost after harvesting and before reaching the retail level, including through on-farm activities, storage and transportation. However, the food losses vary considerably from one region to another within the same commodity groups and supply chain stages. At the regional level, estimates range from 5-6% in Australia and New Zealand to 20-21% in Central and Southern Asia.”

Such waste is most common in shipping produce and within the refrigerated and frozen shipping modes. However, spoilage may also affect dry van foods, and everyone is well aware that not only foods can spoil. Pharmaceuticals, pet treats, canned goods, and virtually anything bought in the store for consumption or ingestion have a certain shelf-life. The same is true of e-commerce purchases too, and there are many goods relating to health, beauty, and accessories , think shampoos and beauty products, subject to spoilage.

Still, these items may become unsafe when transport failures or damages occur. Now, why is that important when selecting a freight broker?

The answer is simple. Freight brokers work across many products, including perishables and non-perishable goods, such as clothing or office supplies. Regardless, all freight is worth a monetary value, and delays amount to lost profitability somewhere along the chain, even if that occurs in the form of return after an initial purchase by a consumer.

Challenges of Reefer & Perishable Freight

Part of the spoilage arising in the transportation industry comes from several top challenges, including:

Driver mistakes. Drivers will inherently make mistakes, such as missing a turn or exit. Unfortunately, these mistakes all take away from drive-time hours and may result in overnight delays.
Loss of temperature. A loss of temperature occurs when the temperature of the frozen or refrigerated goods rises above a given threshold, usually near 37 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigerated goods and 20 degrees Fahrenheit for frozen items. Unfortunately, tracking these rises comes down to accounting for the delta between the item and the surrounding temperature in its packaging.
Equipment failure. Remember, the reefer transport trailers by design keep goods at a pre-cooled temperature, not cool items that are not at a proper temperature. This makes the system more likely to lose temperature controls if equipment failures occur in the slightest.
Compliance regulations. Since pharmaceuticals and foods, all falling under the direction of the FDA, are most likely to require cold chain transport, compliance regulations are strict. Failure to adhere to such regulations, including tracking temperature in transit, may lead to delivery refusal and possible chargebacks.
Lack of expertise in shipping perishables. Not understanding the nuances of cold transport, such as how reefer trailers work, may also lead to additional costs and spoilage.
The trucker shortage. All aspects of logistics face the uncertainty of the driver shortage. Combined with trouble forecasting demands, which only continue climbing in today’s market, it will lead to additional risks for spoilage.

Even with these challenges of refrigerated or frozen trucking in mind, it’s not the full scope of the picture in terms of risk and problems encountered, especially in the world of dry van.

Challenges of Dry Van Freight

Dry van freight sounds pretty simple. It’s a dry cargo trailer for moving goods. However, dry van freight may very well be subject to temperature restrictions, provided it’s properly packaged. For instance, cold-chain products may be shipped in insulated packaging with dry ice to maintain correct temperature requirements. However, these issues are usually resolved by considering the unique distance and travel requirements for such shipments. Still, there are a few challenges worth noting in dry van transport, including:

The driver shortage. Much like the challenge of the same name in refrigerated freight, a lack of drivers may lead to the inability to pick up and deliver goods on time, causing problems for temperature-sensitive goods and those that require extra care in transport, such as live animals.
Limited equipment. Similar to lacking drivers, a lack of available equipment may make transporting dry van freight troublesome. Drivers may not have the correct pallet jacks or forklifts for unloading goods, and such failures may fall to the responsibility of the shipper, not necessarily the dock where the goods are picked up or delivered.
Poor network diversity. Limited network diversity is yet another issue. Dry van freight is usually easier to cover due to its relatively minimal transport requirements. However, limited network diversity amounts to a more significant reduction in available drivers and equipment for use.
Miscommunications lead to mistakes. Poor communication may result in failures to deliver goods on time and in full as well. Such factors are common reasons for consumer returns, and in B2B markets, failures to deliver on time may result in the invocation of money-back service guarantees.
Trouble forecasting demand and getting good rates. Limited insight into total market conditions will result in problems forecasting demand. As a result, shippers may not know what each shipment’s transportation is worth, resulting in either overspending in low-volatile markets where capacity is ample or paying outrageous prices in high-volatile markets.

The challenges all amount to one outcome—difficulty managing the inbound and outbound flow of freight. These challenges may appear similar to those in shipping perishables or refrigerated freight. Even if capacity seems like it’s widely available, there’s no real guarantee that your company is paying the right price for the market. That’s where data becomes more important, but why?

Consider this. Dry van is a common form of transport in logistics, due to its relative simplicity compared to the risks inherent in shipping perishables. Still, dry van freight is integral to the modern world. That’s why it’s not simply enough to find ample capacity and track cargo based on some archaic systems. Instead, it all comes down to having a partner that can put the right attention to detail in dry van, and shippers can achieve that very goal by looking to experts in reefer.

Why Dry Van Freight Processes Benefit From Attention to Detail

Dry van is not simply a process that can be left to the fringe of data-tracking and planning. Consider the realities of reefer freight, including:

The need for real-time shipment visibility.
The absolute disruption risks deriving from all areas of logistics, including e-commerce.
A continued push for more regulations is coming from lawmakers.
Uncertainty regarding rates based on market dynamics.
Improved forecasting and overall planning.

Here’s the kicker. These realities are absolute in tracking perishables and delivering goods on time, but why shouldn’t they be critical to dry van freight? The answer to that question means that if reefer goods are the expertise of your freight broker partnerships, those same best practices naturally carry over into dry van planning and execution.

That’s the real value of a refrigerated freight expert who can transform your dry van needs into a paragon of detail-oriented, best-in-class operations.

Get the Most Value in Logistics From Your Freight Broker With the Right Partnership

Working with a freight broker for refrigerated and frozen freight management yields substantial benefits and helps prevent your products from spoiling. That same value rests in working with such a broker for moving dry van freight too. Experts in the transport of perishable goods recognize that the customer, the whole experience, and lives may be on the line for every item shipped. Even things that most take for granted, like clothing and shoes, are essential to the supply chain.

These items, no matter how insignificant or small, might be all one person has, and somewhere in the supply chain, it was the reliance on timely delivery that brought everything together at the just-right time, at the just-right place, and at the just-right price. That’s why a freight broker’s attention to detail is so important. If you can remember that above all else, your company will reap the greatest reward. Connect with Entourage Freight Solutions to get started 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.