Temperature-controlled transportation (also known as cold chain logistics) is essential for safely moving perishable products like medicines, dairy, and frozen food across India. These goods must stay within strict temperature ranges throughout their journey. If the cold chain breaks, products can spoil or become unsafe.
But keeping everything cool on the road isn’t easy. Here are some of the biggest challenges in temperature-controlled transport – and how you can solve them.
1. Lack of Infrastructure
India still lacks enough refrigerated trucks, cold storage, and good roads in many areas. This makes it hard to deliver temperature-sensitive products quickly and safely. Many regions—especially Tier-2 and rural zones—don’t have reliable access to cold-chain facilities, forcing products to take longer and riskier journeys.
How to fix it:
- Add more refrigerated vehicles and storage hubs in strategic locations.
- Use smart route planning to reach customers faster.
Partner with logistics companies that have strong infrastructure and presence across India.
2. Power and Equipment Failures
Cooling equipment depends heavily on electricity. Frequent power cuts or breakdowns in remote areas can disrupt the cold chain. If cooling units stop working during transit, the temperature rises quickly—especially in Indian summers—ruining entire shipments.
How to fix it:
- Use trucks with backup generators or battery-based cooling.
- Regularly inspect and maintain refrigeration units.
- Invest in hybrid and energy-efficient vehicles that run longer and cooler.
- Explore solar-assisted systems for warehousing support.
3. Inaccurate or Delayed Temperature Monitoring
Many transporters still rely on manual logs or basic sensors, which don’t alert you in time if something goes wrong. When cold chain temperatures are breached and not reported instantly, businesses face huge losses.
How to fix it:
- Install IoT-enabled sensors in every vehicle that monitor temperature, humidity, and door activity in real-time.
- Set up instant alerts for out-of-range values to act immediately.
- Use digital dashboards to monitor and log all temperature data for audits and compliance.
- Pre-cool all loads before transport and avoid relying solely on truck cooling.
4. Untrained Workforce
Many logistics handlers are unaware of proper SOPs for perishable goods. Improper loading, frequent door opening, or lack of hygiene can cause temperature leaks and cross-contamination. Cold-chain logistics requires discipline and technical know-how.
How to fix it:
- Train drivers, loaders, and handlers on cold-chain safety and hygiene practices.
- Use partners with trained staff and audited processes.
- Conduct periodic refresher sessions and audits for cold-chain compliance.
5. Compliance and Paperwork
Cold-chain logistics must comply with FSSAI, WHO, and pharmaceutical guidelines, especially for drugs and food. Many providers struggle with documentation, temperature logs, or fail audits due to poor record-keeping.
How to fix it:
- Use digital platforms for automated trip logs and temperature documentation.
- Provide timestamped audit trails for every shipment.
- Implement checklists for pre-trip inspections and mid-route checks.
- Partner with certified cold-chain companies who meet all regulatory norms.
6. High Operating Costs
Running a cold chain fleet is expensive. Refrigerated vehicles consume more fuel, require more maintenance, and have higher insurance and equipment costs. These costs often make companies hesitant to expand their cold supply.
How to fix it:
- Optimize routing to reduce fuel and time.
- Share vehicle loads across clients to improve cost-efficiency.
- Invest in energy-efficient cooling systems.
- Use solar and battery-operated solutions for warehousing.
Snow Way Logistics Pvt. Ltd.: Your Cold-Chain Partner
At Snowway Logistics Pvt. Ltd., we’ve built our fleet and operations around solving these exact problems.
Our GPS-enabled reefer trucks and IoT-based temperature systems let clients track every shipment, every degree, and every route in real time. With strict SOPs, 24/7 support, trained handlers, and pan-India coverage, we make cold-chain logistics safe, reliable, and affordable.
Whether you’re shipping pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, or fresh produce—we keep your cargo cold, clean, and compliant.
Looking for a trusted cold chain partner? Let Snowway deliver with care, precision, and nationwide reach.