Cold chain logistics: what actually breaks it
1 Jul 2026 · Eagle Express Wave Team, Cold Chain Logistics
A cold chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and that link is almost always a handover: the moment cargo moves from one vehicle, warehouse or handler to the next.
Temperature excursions cluster around loading docks, cross-dock transfers and the last mile, where cargo can sit outside a controlled environment for longer than the transit itself. Monitoring needs to cover these gaps, not just the time in transit.
Packaging matters as much as the vehicle. Insulated packaging buys time during a handover; without it, even a short gap in refrigeration can be enough to compromise sensitive cargo.
The practical takeaway: ask any cold chain provider exactly how they manage handovers, not just how their trucks are refrigerated. That's where temperature control actually succeeds or fails.