Refrigerated transport is the movement of temperature-sensitive food commodities in insulated vehicles, containers or rail wagons equipped with active cooling systems to maintain specified temperature conditions throughout the journey.
In trade practice
For frozen fruit and vegetables moving from Ukraine to the EU, refrigerated transport typically involves reefer trailers on road legs and reefer containers on intermodal or sea routes, all pre-cooled before loading and set to the contractually agreed temperature. Drivers and logistics operators must carry ATP certificates confirming the vehicle meets the required insulation and cooling standard under the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs. Temperature data loggers travel with the cargo and the log is reviewed by the buyer’s intake team; deviations above the agreed threshold trigger a non-conformance process. Mixing frozen and chilled cargo in a single unit requires careful temperature compatibility assessment.
In a specification
Transport clauses in purchase contracts specify the required set-point temperature, maximum permissible deviation, ATP certification of the vehicle, and the obligation to provide a continuous temperature log on delivery.