A Refrigerated Transportation and Freight Best Practices Guide

A Refrigerated (Reefer) Transportation and Freight Best Practices Guide

adam • February 22, 2022

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A Refrigerated (Reefer) Transportation and Freight Best Practices Guide

Frozen trucking companies and trucker team members offer a wide range of freight solutions and services that prove to be valuable to the country’s supply chains day in and day out. There is always a need to get food. drinks, and medical supplies from Point A to Point B. And this is an even bigger necessity during economic downturns and times of market instability.

The market demand for reefer freight transportation has been steadily growing and most likely will continue for the foreseeable future. According to GlobeNewswire, “the global refrigerated goods market is expected to grow from $47.54 billion in 2020 to $50.02 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%...The market is expected to reach $59.27 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4.3%.” The growth within the market is primarily thanks to the upheaval of normal company operations as businesses shifted focus and continue recovering from the COVID-19 impacts.

To compensate for shortages in the trucking lanes and increased pressure on the supply chain overall, the need for more reefer trucking companies grew exponentially and continues to do so today with cold freight transfers.

What Do Reefer Trucking Companies Do?

By transporting goods that require particular temperature considerations, refrigerated trucks allow the consumer to get access to fresh produce, meat, medicines, and other products that otherwise would be difficult to ship long distances. A large number of trucks that run supply chain routes across the country today are refrigerated trucks, commonly known as reefer trucks in the industry.

Reefer transportation companies haul freight needing specialized and, at times, very specific temperature-controlled transportation environments. Trailers used for refrigerated freight have a built-in cooling system to ensure cargo remains at the correct temperature throughout the entire transportation process. A refrigerated trailer can usually keep freight at lower temperatures ranging from chilled to frozen. This protection is especially critical sensitive cargo shipments or when the outside temperatures and environment would lead to a ruined load.

Concerning refrigerated freight companies, goods must be handled, stored, loaded, and unloaded correctly to ensure temperature levels are adequately maintained. Skilled and experienced drivers who know how to handle reefer goods are invaluable in maintaining smooth shipping lanes and successful deliveries all across the country. The need for reefer carriers in the USA remains high as this is an essential piece of the modern supply chain puzzle. Reefer trucking companies can handle a range of cargo that we use every single day, including:

Various drinks and beverages
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Chilled and frozen freight and goods
Meat, cheese, and other perishables
Various food items and condiments
Medical supplies, medicines, vaccines
Flowers, seeds, and plants
Some beauty and cosmetics
Live birds, livestock, and other animals
Misc. supplies and products

Reefers have always been a critical part of the supply chain, and now, more than ever, they are in high demand. Refrigerated freight companies are one of the niche markets that rebounded fastest and have seen the strongest post-pandemic recovery.

Common Challenges Experienced in Refrigerated Freight Companies

Like all things in shipping and transportation, especially during such high pressure and uncertainty, some obstacles can arise with reefer freight transportation services. Reefer transportation companies may have to contend with the following challenges:

Damaged Equipment

Trucking fleets in general must ensure breakdowns and vehicle problems are kept to a minimum. A single breakdown can cause massive issues all along the supply chain. Reefer truckers must be even more mindful as added issues can arise with the cooling system and related components that can become damaged.

Loss of Temperature Controls

During transport, temperatures must remain stable, no matter the weather conditions outside the truck. Frozen goods must not be allowed to thaw out. This task is impossible when controls break down and don’t respond to programming, which is a fairly common reefer truck issue — especially with older trucks.

Limited Drivers Skilled and Licensed

There has been a driver shortage plaguing the transportation industry for some time now. It is even more obvious for a frozen trucking company as even fewer drivers can operate, monitor, control, and carry temperature-sensitive cargo. When these drivers have no available capacity, there are not enough drivers to fill in the gaps.

Poor Traceability of Temperature in Transit

Another significant issue facing refrigerated truck transportation companies today is trouble with automated tracking, monitoring, and reporting. Being unable to tell what conditions are like inside the cargo containers while en route is a major issue for refrigerated freight. It is something that relies on automated digital tracking services.

Reasons to Outsource Procurement of Transportation Carriers That Haul Refrigerated Freight

Shippers who need to move temperature-sensitive cargo and know with some level of certainty that their cargo will arrive safely at the final destination need transportation carriers who specialize in reefer freight. These refrigerator trucking companies provide many great benefits and offer several reasons why shippers should consider this option for all special projects and unique reefer shipping needs.

Save time, money, resources. Partnering with refrigerated transport companies will give shippers the upper hand. In the long run, it will save them by making it easier to find the right carrier for every load.
Gain more flexibility and more scalability. When carrier collaboration is one less thing to worry about, shippers can quickly react to market changes. Shifts in customer demand are less jarring with vetted carriers.
Shipping niche-specific expertise. Another reason specialized carrier partnerships are beneficial is they allow for niche services. Shippers can address customer needs and secure capacity with a frozen trucking company.
It’s about who you know in the market. Working with carriers long-term can open doors to new partnerships and new customer bases. Knowing reliable carriers is critical to successful retail shipping.
Faster access to dense capacity. Connecting with reefer trucking companies makes it easier to maintain high capacity and density. Openings can be filled more easily, and trucks can be kept fuller at all times.
Access to high-quality equipment. Partnering with refrigerated freight carriers also helps lessen the pressure on most shippers. They can gain access to trucks and other equipment they otherwise couldn’t.
Much lower maintenance costs. Another reason why reefer carrier partnerships matter: they help lower maintenance and operational cost. Someone else can maintain and monitor the fleet day in and day out.

Shippers are under tremendous pressure to make good on promised deliveries and satisfy customers. Partnering with transportation carriers that haul refrigerated freight can make the entire process simpler and easier all around.

How to Assess the Viability and Value of Refrigerated Trucking Companies

In the refrigerated trucking business, the way cargo is handled and cared for is more critical than ever. Even the slightest temperature changes during shipping can harm overall shipping success, profits, and business reputation. The entire supply chain must be well-organized and efficient, and it all starts with reefer trucking service providers who offer top-notch services every time they pick up a load.

Reefer companies provide a valuable service that is also in high demand. A dedicated reefer carrier pool makes it easier for shippers to command better rates, increase customers’ service options, reduce deadhead miles, and provide exceptional services. Ensuring a current refrigerated company and carrier relationship is viable and valuable requires careful consideration of the following points.

Profit versus losses within the company based on quarterly and annual comparisons.
Short- and long-term goals along with KPIs and review points for freight metrics.
Reputation within the industry for services, skills, experience, and reliability.
Availability of drivers/carriers to fill needs and respond to urgent freight needs.
Experience within niche markets and proven success with specialty freight loads.
Relationships with growers and shippers and manufacturers across industries.
An on-time delivery success rate that is better than that of the competition.
The amount of damaged or ruined cargo due to reefer-related issues in transport.
Frequency of disruption and exception compared to successful delivery handoffs.
Average response speed and success of dealing with disruptions and issues.
Customer reviews and satisfaction with current refer transportation services.

Reefer trucking and transportation services can have a tremendous positive impact on shippers. However, shippers must work with reefer trucking companies that provide viable and valuable services, no matter what market shifts may come along. Finding the right trucking company and the right reefer carrier will ensure future growth and success for shippers within the refrigerated freight niche market.

Best Practices to Improve Your Use of Reefer Companies

Reefer trucks and drivers remain a vital piece of the modern post-pandemic supply chain. From local lanes to cross-country transportation, reefer service providers are in demand and shippers must find the right partners and use them properly to be successful. According to TruckStop.com, “because reefer trailers are more expensive to run and maintain, reefer load rates are generally higher than dry vans. But reefer freight rates can vary greatly depending on your location, the cargo you need to ship, and many other factors.”

When shippers pay premium rates for reliable services from a frozen trucking company, they need to ensure they are taking full advantage of those services. Here are some tips to make this easier for anyone dealing with food manufacturing, shipping, handling, or related services.

1. Know Your Temperature Requirements

To provide exceptional refrigerated transportation services, shippers must know the specific requirements of every load. Some cargo is frozen and must not be allowed to thaw. Some products have to be transported at a low temperature but not freeze. Temperature ranges and specifications are vital as an entire load can be ruined with a shift of temp as little as 5 degrees too high or too low during transport.

2. Ensure Freight and the Trailer Are Properly Cooled Before Loading

Some preemptive work is required when dealing with reefer freight. Experienced reefer carriers in the USA will know to cool trailers beforehand,so cargo doesn’t get too warm while the cooling system starts working. It is also vital to ensure the cargo itself is adequately chilled, so it will not get too warm or cause the trailer to warm up too much. Small steps like these are critical to successful cold reefer transportation.

3. Have a Plan to Load Trailers Quickly

The loading and unloading cargo can become a bit routine at times for shippers and carriers alike. However, it is more important than ever to have a specific plan for moving cargo when transporting temperature-sensitive shipments. Professional refrigerated truck carriers will know how to handle food service as quickly and safely as possible to protect against temperature fluctuations and related damages.

4. Consider All Influences on Transit and ETA

Even the best-laid plans can fail, and delays or disruptions occur during shipping. A good reefer company will have a backup plan and take possible disruptions into account ahead of time. Carriers must plan for weather events, predictable traffic congestion, unexpected shipping delays, and other issues to ensure the safe and successful delivery of all freight. The best reefer transportation experts will have this covered from the start.

5. Choose the Right Equipment for Loading and Staging

One of the biggest time and money wasters for shippers dealing with cold freight transport is trying to get the job done with the wrong equipment. Special considerations and tools are needed to move, secure, monitor, and document reefer freight. Trying to do all of this without the right tools and equipment is asking for major disruptions, excessive fees, expenses, risks, damages, and issues from start to finish.

6. Know Which Goods Can Be Commingled

Loading and packing reefer cargo can be a delicate process. Not only are there the consideration of final destination and route stops along the way to consider, but there is also the possibility of commingling goods. Freight that can be stored at similar temperatures and handled the same way can often be loaded together. This flexibility allows for more effective use of capacity space and better temperature management.

7. Ensure All Trailers Are Clean and Ready to Roll

A clean and sanitized trailer is essential for any shipment, especially for cold freight. Regular products can be brushed off and cleaned after unloading if needed. Produce and medical supplies, however, can be damaged and easily contaminated by a dirty trailer. Cleaning and sanitizing is something all the best transportation carriers that haul refrigerated freight will make sure is done for every single load that goes out.

8. Optimize the Route to Consider Additional Reefer Deliveries and Pickups

Route planning is a big part of successful supply chain logistics, but it is crucial for temperature-controlled freight transportation and shipping. Reefer freight must be flexible to allow for additional pickups, expedited shipments, and unforeseen disruptions en route. Route optimization and monitoring allow reefer shippers to better manage loads and maximize capacity and profits.

9. Integrate All Systems to Reduce Confusion and Improve Collaboration

Integration and collaboration go hand in hand with freight transportation services. When all platforms, systems, and digital tools can easily communicate and when all team members have on-demand access to data, every process can be vastly improved. With an integrated system and easy communications setups, shippers, carriers, brokers, vendors, 3PLs, and customers can all collaborate and stay on the same page.

10. Eliminate Uncertainty in Tracking Temperature With Automated Status Sharing

Improving the reliability of reefer freight trucking and transportation often comes down to enhancing automation and digitalization within the supply chain. The best-refrigerated truck carriers will understand that uncertainty leads to disruptions and that disruptions lead to delivery problems. Automated status notifications and data sharing options are a must-have for shippers today to protect profits and keep costs low.

11. Search Through FMCSA Data to Find Possible Partners

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a searchable database of active carriers that shippers can use to find partners for their reefer transportation needs. This data and related shipping and carrier portals can serve as a good starting point in searching for the right freight shipping partners. Like most things in shipping today, it is not an end-all solution but is a valuable tool shippers should use.

12. Leverage Load Boards to Find Additional Reefer Capacity

There are many options available for shippers looking to increase reefer capacity and find additional opportunities. Load boards are an excellent place for shippers to connect with skilled and experienced carriers. It is also a great place to start forming long-term relationships with carriers to give shippers the upper hand and a competitive advantage in tight markets and periods of market instability.

13. Remember to Continuously Network to Find More Reefer Drivers

Strong collaboration and partnerships with carriers skilled and experienced with reefer freight make it easier to shift focus and scale services as needed. Whether you need to be choosier with a carrier for a particular load or you need to increase carrier access quickly, a strong network is the best lifeline available. Improving your use of refrigerated trucking companies and professionals relies on intelligent networking from the start.

14. Enable Digital Freight Matching to Automate Reefer Procurement

Securing reliable capacity and having pre-vetted carries to call on, when necessary, will make it easier to meet changing customer needs and market demands. Digital freight matching services and automated load boards make it easier for shippers to find reefer companies who can help with transporting perishable goods. Reefer procurement is more accessible when automated processes and systems handle the mundane aspects.

15. Work With Brokers That Understand Reefer Standards and Qualities

Reefer transportation companies specialize in handling a wide range of cargo and freight that requires precise temperature-controlled transportation. Finding the right reefer company is critical to having a successful delivery. Whether a shipment is going across the state or the country, a skilled and experienced broker can make it easier to find carriers who meet quality parameters and industry standards.

Working with a dedicated frozen trucking company opens the door for a wide range of reefer-related transportation services. For the modern supply chain, reefer transportation options and services are invaluable to many critical markets, industries, and services. The demand for reefer freight transportation continues to grow and remains high as local, national, and global recovery continues. Shippers who can properly utilize the tools available to them and form strong and beneficial relationships with carriers can make a name for themselves in food and beverage and perishable goods shipping. Industry experts stand the best chance to enjoy continued growth and success in the year ahead.

Do It All by Partnering With Entourage for Access to More Reefer and Frozen Capacity Now

Using a load board, working with a freight broker, collaborating with reefer transportation companies, and finding third-party partners to collaborate with ensures you’re getting the best services, rates, and options for refrigerated shipping loads. Collaboration with experienced refrigerated freight companies is critical to maintaining access to reefer and frozen capacity.

With an innovative tech stack, up-to-date tools, and automation, you can easily compare refrigerated shipping rates, plan and schedule loads, and compare carrier availability. This approach makes finding reefer freight transportation services much easier, even for last-minute and rush shipping needs.

If you are looking for transportation carriers of refrigerated goods to help with all your reefer freight needs, contact Entourage Freight Solutions today to get started with reefer transportation as you have never experienced before.

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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.