FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
36
making poor choices, says Marks. “There is
no point in fitting a fridge unit into a poorly
insulated body to save costs. It does not
work, and legislation is spreading to the
food manufacturers, who are already
refusing poorly insulated vehicles from
transporting their products. The right
equipment is available!”
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
Health and safety standards and Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points
(HACCP) are some of the regulations
relevant for refrigerated transport.
Recently, ATP-certification for the bodies
has been introduced, but this is optional
and not a requirement, explains Holcroft.
“In South Africa, we find that food
manufacturers are setting their own
standards, are applying their own
quality rules, and are managing these in
their own way! This often ends in non-
compliant transporters being turned
away,” explains Marks.
Transporters generally check the
temperature of the goods when loading;
thereafter they should monitor in-transit
temperature to ensure it remains within
the parameters set. The use of telematics
systems to record temperature has
become standard with many transporters.
If the operator does not know whether
the cold chain has been broken or
not, this could be a huge risk, explains
When looking at the trailer itself, the
distinction is between reefer semi-trailers
(pulled by a tractor) or a rigid reefer
vehicle (non-articulated), explains
Günther Heyman, sales executive of GRW.
Within these groups there are multiple
different options with regard to body
lengths, cooling unit type, door types and
pallet quantities, load securing and more.
Also, there are a variety of
panel thicknesses to suit the various
temperatures required for the different
products, explains Holcroft. Broadly this
hinges on the product being transported
and falls into the categories of deep
frozen, frozen, chilled, or ambient ranges.
“The right option for the job is totally
dependent on the application,” says
Heyman. For example, if you are doing
secondary deliveries with multiple drops
at smaller, tight delivery points, a short
vehicle or rigid reefer would probably
outperform a big 30 pallet semi-trailer.
If you carry part frozen, part dry/fresh
goods, a multi-temperature set-up would
serve your needs better. “Because of
this, it is important to engage with your
body and trailer builder to make sure the
correct and best product is specified.”
There is no shortage of options. Fully
insulated truck and trailer bodies at any
temperature discipline are available. You
can even run multiple temperatures in a
single truck or trailer. There is no excuse for
When looking at the trailer itself, the distinction is between reefer semi-trailers (pulled by a
tractor) or a rigid reefer vehicle (non-articulated).
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2019