Transporting fragile goods always requires the sender to have a good understanding of the nature of the product. Depending on the type of goods, there will be different transportation methods. For transporting fragile goods, there are different considerations that need to be taken into account. So what are those considerations? Let’s find out through the article below with Vietjet Cargo!
What are perishable goods?
Perishable goods are items that are prone to changes in their characteristics and are easily affected by changes in temperature, humidity, or time. These items have specific properties and a short shelf life, and if not properly stored, they can easily deteriorate and lose quality. Some examples of perishable goods include:
- Fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits
- Seafood such as fish, shrimp, crab, and squid
- Meat products such as pork, beef, and chicken
- Processed food and beverages
- Frozen food products
- Dairy products and derivatives
- Pharmaceuticals and chemicals
To maintain the quality and nutritional value of these items during transportation, proper packaging and storage techniques are required, as each item has its own characteristics and requires specific temperature control. This process is called the cold chain.
What is the cold chain in the transportation of perishable goods?
For perishable goods such as food, vegetables, fruits, and seafood, it is important to maintain their quality until they reach the end customer. This requires maintaining a stable temperature control system called the cold chain for goods transportation.
3 important notes for the effective operation of cold chain when transporting fragile goods
To minimize risks during the transportation of fragile goods, the sender needs to take note of the following 3 things during the transportation process:
Ensure that the goods are stored according to the standard of transportation
Each type of goods will have different characteristics and preservation methods. Some items need to be carefully packed to avoid leakage, falling or contamination during transportation. Other items may not require such protective layers. Therefore, depending on the type of goods sent, you should choose a suitable way to preserve fragile goods.
For example, depending on the characteristics of each item, you can use different types of packaging materials, such as nylon bags, foam boxes, cardboard boxes, wooden crates, baskets, plastic boxes. In addition, you can also choose materials that help maintain the standard temperature, such as dry ice, gel ice, liquefied gas, etc. when transporting goods.
You also need to adjust the appropriate preservation temperature during transportation for each product. For frozen goods, the temperature needs to be kept low to prevent the meat from thawing. As for vegetables and fruits, they should be preserved at a temperature between 3-9 degrees to maintain the best freshness.
Choosing specialized transportation for perishable goods
Due to their perishable nature, when transporting food, meals, meat, and fish, it is mandatory to use specialized transportation. Accordingly, the transportation vehicle must be designed to meet standards and equipped with a complete temperature control system, with sufficient equipment to maintain stable temperatures throughout the journey.
A vehicle that meets the standard for transporting perishable goods must meet the following criteria:
Cooling capacity: Mechanical refrigeration should not be used. The temperature should be controlled at -20°C to 30°C.
Insulation capacity: Suitable insulation materials should be used to prevent loss to the outside environment. At the same time, the outside temperature should not enter the inside.
Freezing cabinet: Designed with a fast cooling mechanism and can maintain appropriate temperatures ranging from -12°C to 20°C.
Choosing the appropriate form of transportation
For goods that are easily damaged during transportation, you should pay attention to choosing the appropriate form of transportation. Priority should be given to transportation methods that ensure fast delivery time. This is to ensure that the goods can arrive at the destination address as soon as possible.
Air Freight Transportation
One of the transportation methods that you should prioritize is through air freight. This is the transportation method with the shortest overall time. However, each airline will have their own regulations and standards for transporting goods. You should carefully research the regulations of the chosen airline to ensure that the shipped goods are valid and safe.
Transporting fragile goods via road, rail, and sea is possible alongside air transportation
You can also transport perishable items through other means such as land, sea, and rail transportation. Nowadays, these transportation methods are equipped with refrigeration systems to regulate temperature and maintain the freshness and quality of the products until they reach their recipients.
These are some important considerations to keep in mind when transporting fragile goods. By following these three guidelines, you can rest assured about the safety of your products throughout the entire shipping process. Additionally, it is crucial to choose a reputable transportation company to use.
If you have a need for fast, secure, and affordable transport of fragile goods, don’t hesitate to contact Vietjet Cargo! We are currently one of the leading air transportation companies in Vietnam and the surrounding region. Contact us now at Hotline: +84 888 071 133 to receive a quote and instructions for shipping!