It can be challenging for you to decide the best way to transport your products. Fewer decisions are bigger than deciding whether to operate a private fleet or outsource. On the surface, private fleets appear to be the better option, but you must recognize and understand all that goes into running your own transportation. Some companies believe operating a private fleet gives them more control over the business and operating costs. In contrast, others find that outsourcing their transportation gives them better insight into the market while reducing costs and creating efficiencies. So, which is better? Private fleets or outsourced logistics?

PRIVATE FLEETS OR OUTSOURCED LOGISTICS?

Well-known household names like PepsiCo, Sysco Walmart, and Tyson Foods all run successful private fleets. According to FleetSeek.com, a database of trucking operations, 344,657 private fleets are operating in the U.S. compared to 169,498 for-hire carriers and 203,068 independent owner-operators. So what drives companies to choose a private fleet or outsourcing?  

The idea of having your own private fleet to deliver your goods is alluring. On the one hand, you can retain complete control over your supply chain by operating a private fleet. But this can come with staggering costs and resources spent. The time and costs of managing a fleet may not be worthwhile for some companies. On the other hand, it can be difficult for those running and operating their own fleets, especially if it’s not their core focus. While the pandemic has had a small hand in encouraging companies to move away from managing their own private fleets, many of the real motivating factors are the plain challenges that come with operating your own logistics and transportation.

PRIVATE FLEET CHALLENGES

Running your own fleet is a very asset-heavy business on its own. It requires a lot of capital investment in tractors and trailers along with other costs of technology, maintenance, insurance, driver pay, and more. Drivers are in short supply already, so finding a backup for sick drivers or losing drivers puts private fleets at the risk of losing capacity. Motor carrier insurance costs have been on the rise as well. Where a large trucking company could spread increased costs across a range of equipment and business segments, a small private fleet does not have that flexibility.

DRIVER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Driver recruitment is one operation of running a private fleet that you have to consider. Finding talent behind the wheel is an even more significant challenge lately with the driver shortage and driver-related issues are a current top concern of private fleets. According to the American Trucking Associations, the driver shortage hit 60,800 at the end of 2018. Current trends point to the shortage growing to over 160,000 drivers by 2028. In addition, a recent ATRI analysis of census data on employment sectors shows that the trucking industry has the lowest percentage of young entrants and the highest percentage of aging workforce entrants.

In a recent survey by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), more than a third of all challenges private fleets face are driver-related, like aging drivers and their retirement, recruiting, turnover, hiring, and retention. With the ever-surging freight demand and a growing labor shortage, private fleets must work even harder to recruit and retain drivers. In addition, private fleets must fight with for-hire carriers over drivers as they are working even harder to attract drivers from fleets with more money, better equipment, and better routes for more home time.

COSTS

Many companies want to operate private fleets to manage their transportation costs; however, many more costs go into a private fleet. First, there are the upfront capital expenses, which can be expensive when starting out. You also have to consider fuel, insurance, driver pay and benefits, licenses, certifications, permits, technology like ELDs or software applications, training, and drug testing. There are also unanticipated costs to plan for, like liability costs for any accidents or claims. According to a study by the FMCSA in 2006, the cost to a company for a non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258, while the average cost of a fatal crash was $3,604,518. In addition, costs for private fleets are rising with the increasing costs of fuel, insurance, and equipment maintenance as new and used trucks deal with material shortages.

CAPACITY

Many companies want a private fleet to have easy access to the capacity to haul their freight. However, having just the right amount of available equipment and drivers is tough to decide. Often you’ll find that you either have too much equipment sitting when you’re slow or too little to cover orders when demand is high, leaving you to use the spot market to cover shipments that need to go out. There are always ebbs and flows to business. Even when planned there will be times when equipment is underutilized or there won’t be enough.

TIME SPENT ON TRANSPORTATION

One drawback to operating your own fleet is the time you must put into it. You have to arrange the shipments, make sure you have drivers, cover backhauls or find coverage when you don’t have enough capacity of your own, maintain regulations, insurance, and more. The constant monitoring and configuring of your own transportation demand a lot of time – time that could instead be used for revenue-generating tasks.

PRIVATE FLEET BENEFITS

There are many benefits to running your own private fleet, such as;

KEEPING CONTROL

If keeping control over your transportation is something you need then operating a private fleet is for you. By choosing not to outsource your transportation, you’ll have complete control over your supply chain. You’ll know that you always have capacity available, even when the market is challenging. You won’t have to spend time searching for available carriers or negotiating rates, and you’ll keep control over service levels since you’ll have company drivers and equipment readily available.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

In the previously mentioned NPTC survey, more than 92 percent of respondents said that customer service was the main reason they had a private fleet. Other factors included flexibility, reliability, dependability, and a desire to put their employees in front of customers. With these factors in consideration, some companies view their fleet as a core competency.

SAFETY

Safety performance is another benefit to private fleet operators. According to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) crash data, drivers in private fleets have shown to be three times safer than the overall trucking industry.

FLEXIBILITY

Additionally, you’ll have scheduling flexibility. Rather than depending on a for-hire carrier to pick up and schedule shipments, private fleet operators set the schedule themselves, giving you more control over on-time deliveries.

BRAND AWARENESS

Lastly, there’s the marketing aspect to consider. Private fleet trailers essentially act as “rolling billboards” for your company.

OUTSOURCING BENEFITS

In the 2019 Third Party Logistics survey by Korn Ferry, 63 percent of shippers said that overall, shippers are increasing their use of outsourced logistics. Taking into account the pros and cons of a private fleet, it seems some companies find that outsourcing their transportation suits their needs better. There are many benefits to outsourcing your logistics, such as;

FEWER COSTS

In comparison to private fleet costs, there are very few costs to consider when outsourcing. You don’t have to worry about the cost for the labor of drivers, their insurance, their certifications, driver recruiting, vehicle maintenance, fuel costs, and more. The only actual cost you have to worry about is the cost of having your freight transported.

MORE TIME

Since you won’t have to worry about the many time-consuming tasks of your own fleet, you’ll have more time to focus on your business versus your transportation. In addition, your employees will focus on revenue-generating tasks instead of all that comes with managing transportation.

CAPACITY

Even though private fleets come with some on-demand capacity, when outsourcing your logistics to a third-party logistics provider (3PL), you can be assured that you’ll have access to capacity that you wouldn’t have otherwise. 3PLs take care of all the relationship-building, growing a larger network than you could manage, and take care of covering your shipments for you. There’s no worry about finding available carriers or making sure you have available drivers and equipment. It is all taken care of for you.

OUTSOURCING CHALLENGES

Even though there are many benefits to choosing to outsource your transportation needs, there can be some challenges that come with it.

LOSS OF CONTROL

Some people aren’t fans of losing control. When choosing to outsource, you will lose some control of your provider selection, customer service, and rates paid on shipments. Sounds scary, right? That’s why if you’re choosing to outsource, make sure you find a reputable provider that you can communicate your wants and needs. Find one that will keep an open line of communication with you as your relationship grows so that you fully trust them and be okay with letting go.

LOSS OF VISIBILITY

This solely depends on the provider that you choose to work with and what they offer. Find a good provider with technology applications or processes in place to keep you informed. You may even find a provider that has options to give you more visibility than you would have otherwise.

MANAGING THE RELATIONSHIP

Time and effort must be invested when developing good working relationships. Your chosen providers must share an understanding of your strategy and provide you with innovative solutions to give you a competitive advantage. It may take time to be in alignment.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

If choosing to outsource and make use of a provider’s technology, your IT teams must integrate applications and systems. Make sure your IT teams are capable of doing so and that your provider will provide assistance in the integration.

PRIVATE FLEET OR OUTSOURCING OPTIONS

Companies that don’t want to manage their own fleet have a couple of options when it comes to outsourcing. For one, there are dedicated services. This is an option if you already have a private fleet of your own. Essentially, you convert your private fleet to a transportation company so that they now belong to the transportation company but remain dedicated to serving you first and foremost. Some transportation companies may even let you keep your branding on the truck. This is a nice way to have more control but less responsibility. 

Another option is outsourcing to a 3PL completely. They will take complete control and responsibility for your logistics management. You’ll still have access to capacity, reduced costs, and excellent customer service; however, you’ll lose the benefit of your brand on trucks. This option allows you to COMPLETELY focus on your core business.

Looking to have the best of both worlds? There is certainly nothing holding you back from having a mix of a private fleet and outsourcing. Some companies, like Giant Eagle Supermarket, prioritize their private fleet but also use outside carriers for less critical shipments. As a result, they’ve found an advantage to mixing both services.

FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Regardless of the choice you make, getting your product to customers has never been more challenging. The driver challenge continues to be a problem, capacity remains tight, and freight rates remain high. Though we may be partial to outsourcing, you should look to find a solution that works best for your company.

Be sure to ask yourself these questions when deciding whether private fleets or outsourced logistics is best for your company:

• Are my transportation needs complex?
• Do my shipments require the coordination of multiple stops, complex routes, or specialty shipments?
• Is my organization struggling to hire and retain drivers?
• Do we own more trucks than needed on a regular basis?
• Would managing my own fleet take valuable time away from employees or money from revenue?

If outsourcing some or all of your transportation seems like a good solution, consider Trinity Logistics as your provider. With over 40 years in business and Burris Logistics as our parent company, we consider ourselves experts in logistics, especially in more complex or specialty shipments.

We can help you with capacity through our extensive network of carrier relationships available. We have best-in-class technology available to meet your needs and help you with your business’s growth. We work with several modes and through our People-Centric approach, offer you guidance on when and what solutions you should use. You’ll find that when choosing Trinity Logistics as your provider, when given the chance to prove our commitment to great service and communication, we set the bar high.

Author: Christine Morris

Interruptions to the cold chain create problems such as spoilage, changes in the appearance, taste, or smell of a product, growth of harmful bacteria, or lost potency. Preventing any interruption of the cold chain is one of the main responsibilities of a logistics manager. Let’s look at some of the significant cold chain challenges you may have to face, and how you can keep issues at bay.

REGULATIONS

Regulations for the cold chain are ever-changing and complex, which is why they are one of the major challenges faced today. If your cold chain is worldwide, it can be more complicated as there is no one entity to regulate on a global scale. Each region has its own regulations, compliance mandates, and enforcement agencies. Some examples of these are:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

In the U.S., the federal regulatory agency for food and pharmaceuticals is the FDA. 

Most cold chain food regulations come from the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2017. This regulation covers the cleanliness and function of equipment, protocols set in place for transportation, employee training on the proper handling of food in cold chains, and records of all FSMA compliance.

When it comes to pharmaceutical products, many regulations affect the cold chain. Some of those include:

• 21 CFR 203.32
  • Addresses the need for maintaining drugs under stable conditions and meeting manufacturer’s specifications.
  • 21 CFR 211.150
    • Provides guidance on the written procedures for managing expirations and a reliable system for identifying the distribution of drug samples in the event of a recall.
  • 21 CFR 203.36
    • Outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers and authorized distributors.
  • 21 CFR 205.50
    • Minimum requirements for storage and handling of prescription drugs and maintenance of distribution records

Canadian Food and Drugs Act

In Canada, the regulatory authority is the Government of Canada. The Canadian Food and Drugs Act was passed in 1920 and revised in 1985. It regards the production, import, export, and transport across provinces for food, drugs, and cosmetics including products like soap and toothpaste. It ensures products are safe, ingredients disclosed, and drugs are effective. 

International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH)

Many other countries, refer to ICH guidelines gathering data on a product’s safety and efficacy to establish a cold chain strategy. ICH brings together many regulatory authorities to discuss data and establish those guidelines. Gathered data is used to consider the duration of temperature excursions that can occur across distribution channels. 

Regulations can be complex and demanding at times, but they all have the same goals of retaining the safety, quality, transparency, and efficacy of cold chain commodities. The biggest key to keeping compliance with cold chain regulations is increasing end-to-end visibility in your cold chain. Keeping proper documentation of data throughout your supply chain can seem difficult but modern technology like a transportation management system (TMS), can simplify this cold chain challenge. Current technology applications like GPS tracking, ELD data, Internet of Things (IoT), and a TMS can give you advanced analytics and reporting that would otherwise be comprised of manual processes. Not only does technology offer you savings in time but of human error as many processes become automated. 

SUSTAINABILITY

Another significant cold chain challenge is the increasing spotlight on sustainability. The distribution and transportation of temperature-controlled products have shown to be major causes of greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison to other supply chain transportation, cold chain transport consumes 20 percent more fuel than other heavy vehicle types due to the refrigeration equipment. The biggest issue facing sustainability is the high-power consumption or combustion of fossil fuels necessary to power the cold chain’s cooling systems. 

There are also growing issues and increasing regulations on refrigerant gases used in cooling systems like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as they are responsible for high greenhouse gas emissions. In 2015, the European Union set strict limits on the production and sale of high global warming potential HFC refrigerants. In the U.S., the Manufacturing Act of 2019 was passed which established a timeline of phasing down the use of HFCs by 2036. 

Because of the increasing pressure of sustainability and its regulations enacted on the cold chain, many large food and pharmaceutical companies have plans in place to reduce their carbon emissions. In 2015, more than 150 businesses in the U.S. signed the Business Act on Climate Pledge which launched for private sector businesses to express their support on international action on climate change. Also, in 2015, the Paris Agreement was created, signed by 195 countries at the United Nations climate change summit. This agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the planet from warming by more than 2 degrees Celsius. 

Being sustainable in the cold chain is also something you can be recognized for now with awards such as the Supply & Demand Chain Executive Green Supply Chain Award or the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ Supply Chain Sustainability Award. Some ways to consider in adding sustainability to your cold chain is improving your cold chain management to reduce waste and your carbon footprint or considering alternative transportation modes like intermodal versus truckload when shipping your products. While you’re working on improving sustainability in your cold chain, make sure the providers you work with are equally interested in sustainability as well. Here at Trinity, we are proud of our sustainability efforts and to be recognized as a SDCE Green Supply Chain Award winner and as a Food Logistics’ Top Green Provider. 

TEMPERATURE VARIANCES

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions?

It’s one of the biggest and most common cold chain challenges: maintaining the required temperature of the product throughout the entire supply chain. Any temperature that is higher than the set temperature can affect a product’s quality. Not all products that get exposed to a temperature past their threshold will spoil right away, as it depends on how steep and frequent the exposure was. Once a product has begun to thaw, it is considered contaminated. Depending on the product and temperature, that window of time can be very short. There are many times during cold chain in which a product can be exposed to a temperature variance: during unloading and loading of the product, from poor packaging, handling, or broken equipment.

Loading and Unloading

As your product moves through the cold chain, it can get exposed to temperatures outside its set temp. Whenever loading and unloading your product, handling should be as quick as possible. Preventing prolonged exposure to temperature changes prevents having problems with quality. 

Poor packaging or handling

There are many different ways to package your cold chain freight so it can keep its cool. If it’s not done right or in mind of your transit time, your goods can spoil before arrival. When handled poorly, they can become damaged, causing lost product.

Equipment problems

One way the cold chain can be interrupted is when your equipment breaks down. Refrigeration equipment can malfunction due to damage, inadequate maintenance, or losing power. 

In cold storage, doors becoming damaged are one of the common challenges they face. When cold storage doors become damaged, they can’t maintain their specified temperatures.

Due to inadequate maintenance, there can be a buildup of condensation in coolers and freezers, causing slippery surfaces and unsafe conditions for workers, as well as a spoiled product. Another maintenance challenge is handling the growth of mold or mildew, which can happen with poorly maintained temperatures. Should this happen, the freezer will need to be cleaned thoroughly and inspected for any problems. 

Transportation Breaks Down

Vehicles can break down at any time. Any hold-up in your cold chain shipment could mean more than just a time delay, it can mean a spoiled product. Make sure you’re working with a qualified carrier who inspects their truck or other modes of freight before the journey begins.

Keeping track of the temperature throughout your cold chain is another way to combat having your products exposed to changes in temperature. Temperature monitoring systems are quickly replacing any manual processes of collecting temperature information, saving time, and preventing spoiled products. This also allows cold chain managers insight into their problem areas and being able to fix them.

Some of these temperature monitoring systems are RFID or wireless sensor network, thermal imaging, and temperature loggers. RFID or other wireless sensor networks are the most common in the cold chain. These sensors capture the location and temperature, communicating the information back to a database and allowing parameters like an estimated shelf life to be calculated. You’ll often find these in warehousing and cold storage. Thermal imaging is exactly what you think it is; imaging that is taken showing the different temperatures of everything in the photo. Thermal imaging uses a sensor to convert the radiation given off at different temperatures into a visible light picture. This is also often used in warehousing and cold storage. Lastly, temperature loggers are another type of sensor placed next to cargo in transportation. They can be set to record as frequently as every second, minute, or hour. Once removed, they can be plugged into a computer so the temperature data can be transferred and analyzed.

TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED SHIPPING CAPACITY 

Another significant cold chain challenge is available capacity. Capacity is always a challenge for any industry, but even more so for the cold chain, especially right now. With freight in high demand across all industries and capacity slim, drivers can pick and choose what shipments they want to take based on (already) high rates. Reefer trailers are already limited with the increased demand on cold chain, but when rates for moving other high-demand commodities such as lumber or retail keep increasing, those drivers can choose to utilize their reefer trailer as a dry van to haul should those rates be better paying, further reducing cold chain capacity. Cold storage warehousing is seeing the strain as well because of the growing freight demand. More storage space is needed in the supply chain and new buildings are being built, but those currently in production or needing their building supplies (which are also in high demand), puts yet another strain on shipping capacity until that demand has decreased. With the cold chain demand increasing and available equipment and drivers doing quite the opposite, can the logistics sector keep up? Read more in our current whitepaper.

DON’T LET THE COLD CHAIN SCARE YOU

There is a lot of juggling to do when managing the cold chain. If even one ball is dropped, it can affect the whole cold chain. You can prepare as best as you can for these cold chain challenges, but sometimes it’s nice to know you have backup when you need it most.

Luckily here at Trinity, we’re experts in complex situations. In fact, I would say it’s our specialty. We’ve seen every possible problem there could be and are happy to help. By working with Trinity, you can gain access to the data you need to improve your performance and output, find equipment and capacity when you’re finding it difficult, and work with someone who understands current regulations, no matter the region or type of commodity you work with. We’re here to have your back regardless of what cold chain challenge comes your way.

Not ready to request a quote? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch our latest State of the Industry and Freight Market Update videos to stay on top of what’s going on in cold chain. 

Author: Christine Morris

With multiple modes of transportation to choose from it can be a hard decision to find the right one for your shipping needs. The two most commonly used modes are truckload (TL) and less than truckload (LTL). They may seem similar, but they have some significant differences. Whether you have only used one mode and are thinking about expanding to another or maybe your business is growing and you are looking at a different shipping option, Trinity Logistics can help you find the best solution for your shipping needs.

TRUCKLOAD VS LTL: HANDLING AND TRANSIT TIME

Truckload: Shipments moving full truckload will be the only shipment on that trailer. Once the shipment is picked up at the shipper’s location the freight will not be moved off the trailer until it reaches the consignee. Transit time with this mode tends to be shorter and more controllable since the freight remains on the trailer and will only be handled by a single carrier.

LTL: This mode allows multiple shipments from different shippers to be on one trailer. The shipper is essentially sharing the trailer with other shippers. Freight will move through several different terminals and be taken on and off the trailer multiple times. Transit time will vary due to different factors such as weather, higher freight volume, or assessorials that may require more time at either the shipper or receiver (delivery appointments, liftgate, etc.)

TRUCKLOAD VS LTL: WEIGHT AND SIZE OF SHIPMENTS

Truckload: Shipments ranging from 24 to 30 pallets depending on trailer and pallet size. The weight of a truckload shipment can vary drastically between light shipments around 5,000 pounds to heavier capacity loads around 45,000 pounds.

LTL: Shipments that are 1-10 pallets and generally under 20,000 pounds. There are different rate options depending on the size of the shipment. If a shipment consists of 6 pallets and/or weighs over 5,000 pounds this may qualify for spot quoting, which can be more cost effective in some cases.

TRUCKLOAD VS LTL: COST PER SHIPMENT

Truckload: When shipping truckload, you have use of the full trailer, even if the freight does not take up the entire trailer space. The cost of shipping truckload completely depends on the market. Unless there is an arranged contract with a carrier, pricing can change and fluctuate with the market and capacity.

Rates on truckload vary on some constantly changing factors: shipment weight, fuel costs, different seasons, and lane. Trinity Logistics works with our carrier partners through phone, email, or digital freight matching applications to find the best rates for our customers.

LTL: Cost tends to be the biggest difference between LTL and Truckload. Unlike truckload, the cost per shipment has many different variables that determine the LTL rate. LTL shipping is regulated by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which classifies and assigns an NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) code to different freight commodities. These codes greatly impact an LTL rate and they indicate the commodity’s density, liability, and ease of transport.

With LTL shipments the rate is determined by the origin and destination cities, states, and zip codes, the freight’s classification(s), number of pallets, pallet dimensions, and total weight. If any additional services (accessorials) are needed those will each have an additional fee added to the final rate. For example, if a shipment is delivering to a construction site (limited access delivery) and a liftgate is needed at the time of delivery a carrier would charge an additional fee for each service.

TRUCKLOAD VS LTL: REEFER AVAILABILITY

Truckload: Reefer trailers are fairly common and readily available. In general, modern temperature-controlled trailers can range from below zero to 70 degrees. Since it’s only your freight on the trailer, the shipment can move on the schedule and temperature you need. Besides temperature monitoring and rate differences, refrigerated shipments aren’t all that different from a dry truckload shipment.

LTL: Refrigerated LTL shipments are a bit different than dry LTL shipments. Most reefer LTL carriers run on strict schedules that are based on certain lanes and temperatures. For example, a refrigerated LTL carrier might pick up in Los Angeles on Thursdays and Fridays only, and may only run at 45-50 degrees. Multiple customers’ freight is shared on a single reefer LTL trailer with similar temperature ranges to maximize efficiencies for the carrier since a lot of carriers operate on appointment schedules that are set and routed a day or more in advance. This can make finding an available reefer LTL carrier difficult at times, especially on short notice. If you’re an LTL shipper who ships temperature-controlled freight and you have the potential to size up to truckload, this is a situation where it could be a great benefit for you to do so.

TRUCKLOAD VS LTL:  BENEFITS

Truckload

• Dedicated truck for only your freight
• Time sensitive and high value freight
• Less handling of freight

LTL

• Cost effective option for freight that does not require a full trailer
• Flexibility with shipping and delivery times
• More service options (residential delivery, inside pickup and/or delivery, liftgate etc.)

SO, WHICH MODE MAKES SENSE FOR ME?

LTL and Truckload both have their advantages. The best option for your freight depends on your needs, freight volume, budget, frequency, and deadlines.

Our Truckload and LTL experts can answer any additional questions you may have and help find the right mode for your shipping needs.

Author: Christine Morris

Whether those buying your product are meat-eaters or vegetarians, gluten-free, or dairy-free or they’ll try anything under the sun – we all have to eat. All food must make its way from farms and factories to the dinner table. We all know that this multi-step process is particular and sensitive. Shipping frozen and refrigerated food together can be a recipe for disaster if not done right. The technicalities involved in packaging, warehousing, and transporting these goods are specific and time–sensitive. Let’s look at the logistics of frozen and refrigerated shipping and see how your product ends up safely on dinner tables. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions?

Refrigerated/Frozen Food Shipping: LTL vs. Truckload

The process of shipping food differs between truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Let’s look at how these two modes differ when it comes to shipping your frozen food. 

LTL

When you work with a refrigerated LTL carrier, you likely know that they have specific days that they pick up, depending on the region. Other temperature-controlled products traveling within that region in the same temperature range will be on that truck. 

The LTL carrier will pick up all these shipments within a specific window and deliver them the following week. Depending on the size of your business and the frequency of shipments, you may find it challenging to keep track of the various pick-up and delivery windows for specific carriers. Visibility of your shipment is imperative to ensure your product arrives safely to the store and in peak condition.  

Truckload

Large shipments of dairy, frozen meats, boxes of bananas, lettuce and watermelons, cans of soup, ketchup, you name it, can be shipped via truckload from distributors to grocery stores. Truckloads full of items leaving one location and heading to the same destination with the exact temperature requirements can be shipped together. However, if this isn’t the case for your product, remember to note this on your instructions for the carrier moving your freight. 

Since these trucks typically have one origin, one destination, and one driver, there aren’t necessarily specific days of the week that these are picked up. However, receivers may have specific days for delivery. Ensure your product arrives in peak condition by coordinating the pick-up and delivery times appropriately so food does not spoil. 

Grocery Delivery Services

The typical grocery store shipments are pretty cut and dry with how goods arrive at the loading docks. The waters get muddied up when it comes to services designed to help busy people get groceries without ever stepping foot into a store. 

Consumers can buy everything else online, so why not food? Grocery delivery services like Peapod, Walmart Grocery Delivery, Instacart, Freshdirect, and Amazon Fresh have turned e-commerce into a giant food pantry for busy people. In a five-minute website visit, people can add their groceries to a virtual cart and have the goods arrive on their front step the following day. 

While grocery deliveries are incredibly convenient and competitive price–wise for the average consumer, it’s a rather complicated process with a small profit margin for shippers. 

These last-mile grocery shipments are so tricky because of the precise instructions and temperatures for the items within a single shipment. Companies have a window of around 20 hours to get groceries from the warehouse to a customer’s fridge. Any moment that the temperature dips below the requirement could zap away the shelf life of your product. 

There’s also difficulty with grocery delivery because certain products cannot be shipped with others. Some produce items can’t be packaged in the same bag as others. Refrigerated items such as milk and cheese shouldn’t reach the temperatures that frozen microwavable meals demand and vice versa. 

Some of these grocery delivery services have refrigerated trucks that carry the groceries from house to house, while others do the temperature control within the grocery totes, using insulated boxes, large ice packs, or dry ice. 

Drivers who deliver these shipments must be more conscious about delivery windows to ensure that each food stays exactly how it is supposed to be, so the integrity remains when the bags make their way from the front step into the kitchens of consumers worldwide. 

Meal Service Delivery Kits

Meal Service Delivery Kits from providers like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sun Basket, and Plated are handled a little differently from grocery delivery service. 

Shoppers who want pre-portioned ingredients to prepare two or three meals a week for their family will sign up for these services. Ultimately, the providers, like HelloFresh, will have a preselected menu for the week. 

In this case, the providers are the ones deciding what produce, grain, dairy, and meat can be packaged together. These deliveries arrive at customers’ homes in insulated cardboard boxes. Meats are typically at the bottom of the box covered by large ice packs, with produce and dry items packaged on top. 

These deliveries are a little less complicated and don’t require immediate attention from the customer to stay fresh. While there are instructions to unpack in the fridge as soon as possible, food can stay cold with gel ice packs if customers are not home at the time of delivery. Typically, these items are kept at refrigerated temperatures and don’t fall into the realm of frozen food shipping. Proper packaging during this time helps maintain the integrity of your product. 

Multiple carriers still come into play to get food delivered from the meal service distribution centers to the doorsteps of customers, many times parcel companies like UPS and FedEx complete the last leg of delivery. These carriers need to have the knowledge and expertise of shipping frozen and refrigerated food. This will ensure that the meal kits are delivered properly and are safe for the customer to eat. 

Categorized Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes have become a major trend in the food industry. Unlike the full grocery delivery services, these boxes differ as they often only offer a specific type of commodity. Examples of food subscription boxes are Butcherbox, Misfits Market, Jeni’s Pint Club, Carnivore Club, and Wine Down. 

These categorized subscription boxes are even less complicated to package and deliver than the Meal Service Delivery kits. Since all items are in the same category and require similar packaging and temperature control, there is no need to make sure certain items are at the bottom with more sensitive items at the top of the box. 

All items are packaged like the meal kits inside an insulated cardboard box covered by large ice packs and delivered the same way. Companies like ButcherBox can warehouse and deliver their boxes in one to two days with services like Direct-to-Consumer through our parent company, Burris Logistics. 

Third-Party Logistics Frozen Food Shipping

Originally published July 7th, 2017 By Brittany Siegel. Updated by Victoria Dalton.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine have your cold chain logistics worried? If not, you should be taking it into consideration. 

Everyone’s over the pandemic. We’re ready to be back attending public events, traveling to popular destinations, have our kids in school full time, and more. So much of 2020 has had to cancel or make the move to virtual and it’s not the same. Additionally, here at Trinity, the health and wellbeing of our Team Members, Authorized Agents, Carriers, and Customers is our number one priority.

Pfizer, Moderna, and others have quickly turned around vaccine solutions, making the light at the end of the tunnel seem in reach. With everyone looking to gain some sense of normal back into their lives, it means all hands will be on deck for the upcoming vaccine distribution. That means other cold chain commodities, will fall lower in priority. How will this affect your cold chain logistics?

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE

Vaccines are fragile. Most have to store at specific colder temperatures to protect them from deterioration. If left out too long or exposed to fluctuating temperatures, vaccines can lose their effectiveness. According to the World Health Organization, one in four vaccines loses its integrity during transit. Due to their fragility and the extensive attention to detail that the logistics sector has to maintain, roughly 80 percent of a vaccine’s cost comes from its storage and transport. 

Usually vaccines transport in temperature ranges of two to eight degrees Celsius. Currently, nine COVID-19 vaccines are in their Phase 3 trials, with two, Pfizer and Moderna, being very close to distribution. Because of the quick turnaround the world is seeking, these vaccines are containing higher protein bases which need ultracold temperatures, as low as minus 80 degree Celsius. Those receiving vaccines will need to get two doses, each about three to four weeks apart. Over time, vaccines will be developedrequiring more typical refrigeration temperatures and single doses. Regardless, cold chain logistics will continue to play a vital role in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and for now, the specifications will be strict. 

ALL COLD CHAIN HANDS ON DECK

Currently, Pfizer expects to produce and distribute up to 50 million doses of their vaccine in 2020 and 1.3 billion in 2021; Moderna expects 20 million in 2020 and anywhere from 500 million to one billion in 2021. Not to mention the other vaccines that will make their way as well. It is estimated that to immunize 7.8 billion people worldwide, 10 billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be needed.

The FMCSA recently announced their most recent extension of the Hours-of-Service waiver to February 28^th and included carriers transporting COVID-19 vaccines. This effort is expected to be the biggest challenge the logistics sector has ever faced. Currently, logistics experts are struggling to plan ahead because of the lack of very specific information that they need to know about, such as the packaging, amount of dry ice needed to maintain temperatures, warehousing, equipment needed, and more. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

AREAS TO WATCH

Through Operation Warp Speed, Moderna and other upcoming vaccines will deliver to the Mckesson distribution center in Irving, Texas, and then arranged deliveries to hospitals, nursing homes, and other determined points. Moderna will manufacture its vaccine in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. 

Pfizer, however, has chosen to not distribute through Operation Warp Speed. They manufacture their vaccine in Michigan and plan to ship with transportation providers such as UPS and FedEx to locations around the country. They’ve chosen to directly ship to gain greater control and real-time insights into the status of their frozen vials. 

HOW IT AFFECTS CAPACITY

Obviously, reefer capacity is going to be needed for vaccine distribution. But, it’s already tight. If you’re in the cold chain, shipping temperature-controlled items, prepare to continue paying premiums for this service.

Recently, reefer rejection rates have been at almost 50 percent. That means almost one out of every two reefer shipments are being turned down by carriers. When the rejection rates are higher, the tighter capacity is, and the higher cost for you to get your cold freight moved. Reefer rates are already 20 percent higher year-over-year due to increased consumer demand while spending more time at home. 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

If you ship temperature-controlled goods, the upcoming vaccine distribution efforts should be a concern for your business and logistics, especially if you regularly ship through less-than-truckload (LTL). Many top tier transportation companies such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL are ready to help Operation Warp Speed in the vaccine distribution. Everyone knows the vaccine distribution is the highest priority, but transportation providers also know they will be well compensated for their service of transporting it. This means other cold chain commodities will be pushed further down in priority. This will only continue on as more COVID vaccines become available to be distributed and until risk of COVID is greatly reduced. In the form of some ultracold transportation logistics, winter is coming and the demand for reefers will continue to rise. 

SHIPPING COLD CHAIN? WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE

Communicate.

Get ready now. Start talking to your relationships and providers to make sure you will have trucks to move your freight. Talk to your customers. Let them know now that things may slow down or get behind with the upcoming and expected vaccine distribution efforts.

Things may be getting tougher for you, but I think we all know this is good. We’re one step closer to returning to some sense of normalcy. Hold on, because the light at the end of the tunnel is there. It’s now in reach. We’re just in for a few more bumps in the road, but we’ll make it. 

Looking for an expert in cold chain logistics? 

Author: Christine Morris

The shipment of over-dimensional and/or heavy haul freight requires a special expertise! Luckily, many of our Trinity Team Members and Authorized Agents specialize in over-dimensional shipments. We decided to ask them to share some of their extensive knowledge in this industry with us so we could offer you several tips to keep in mind when shipping heavy haul. Keep reading to learn about how to handle your shipments as smoothly as possible.

Looking for a more extensive guide to have on hand for your over-dimensional shipments? Click here to download our Over-Dimensional Shipping Guide.

Time is on your Side

The more notice you can provide of an upcoming over-dimensional shipment, the better. Loads such as bulldozers, excavators, and graders often require specialized equipment that can be in limited supply. By notifying your carrier or logistics provider well in advance, they can get to work on getting the right equipment in position. Always remember, time is money!

Along with providing an advanced notice on these shipments, you’ll also need to coordinate the logistics upfront. The specialized equipment used for heavy haul shipping is expensive and in high demand. If there are any delays in getting the truck loaded or unloaded, there may be significant detention charges. Timing is everything, so be sure to communicate the needs for these shipments in advance in order to avoid those charges.

Information is King

Knowing the exact information regarding your heavy haul shipping is extremely important, especially in regard to getting permits. You should know the length, width, height, and weight of the shipment. You’ll also need to provide the make, model, and serial number if applicable. Educate yourself on permit requirements and heavy haul dimensions so that your shipment process runs smoothly.

Know the State Regulations

The issuance of permits for over-dimensional shipments is handled by each individual state. Some handle these requests promptly, while others are slower.  As a general rule, the bigger the shipment, the longer it will take. The state will also decide which routes the truck must follow, as well as determine if there are any travel restrictions in terms of hours or days.  Often times, weekend and nighttime travel is restricted. Prepare yourself by looking into state restrictions and permits so you can be better equipped to ship your heavy haul.

Tarp Troubles

Please know if your load will require tarping! Over-Dimensional loads will often require more tarps than the typical truck carries. If your shipping partner is aware of this upfront, they can be sure the truck will have the necessary tarps. Large and/or odd-sized pieces will be difficult for even the best drivers to tarp by themselves. Any assistance you can offer is appreciated, even if it’s simply a safe place out of the elements. Being aware of these elements of over-dimensional and heavy haul freight can help ensure your freight arrives at its destination in a safe and timely manner.

Build Relationships

Build a relationship with an experienced logistics provider, like Trinity, to help save you time and money. Finding the right carrier and equipment to haul your over-dimensional shipment can be difficult, so that’s why we do it for you. Trinity’s diverse carrier network gives you access to find a carrier that will fit to your shipment’s specific needs.

Trinity Logistics stands at the ready to help with all your heavy haul and over-dimensional shipments. Our team is well-prepared to make sure your freight arrives in a smooth and timely manner.

If you’d like to request a quote for an over-dimensional or heavy haul shipment,

Originally posted September 24th, 2013. Updated by Tori Dalton.

Tanker endorsement is one of those regulations that often get some buzz in the trucking industry for CDL holders. What is it? Why is it needed? When did this become enforced? The information that has been published about this online is fairly vague, so we’d like to set some facts straight to help you ensure that you’re hauling your liquid or gaseous freight legally.

Do I Need a Tanker Endorsement?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rolled out a regulation meant to keep the roads safe from commercial drivers carrying large amounts of liquid or gaseous freight without the proper training. In order to do this, the FMCSA changed the definition of a “tanker,” which, in turn, has changed the requirements for which drivers are required to hold a “tanker endorsement” on their CDL.  This change means that even those who are driving dry vans, reefers, flatbeds, and box trucks will be required to hold the endorsement if they meet the requirements below. If the following conditions occur, you are responsible for obtaining a tanker endorsement on your CDL:

1. Your cargo includes liquid or gaseous individual containers larger than 119 gallon capacity.
2. The containers are loaded, and not empty.
3. The total combined volume in those containers exceeds 1,000 gallons.

Where is it Enforced?

All states began enforcing this regulation in July 2015.

When Did it Become Law?

The tanker endorsement regulation was originally debuted by the FMCSA in 2011 and it was said then that all states must be in line and enforcing by July 2014. Since that date passed and not all states were on board, this caused quite the confusion for national carriers. The FMSCA finally pushed a hard deadline of July 2015 for enforcing the law.

What are the Consequences of Not Abiding by the Law?

If commercial drivers are found to be driving without the proper tanker endorsement (if their load meets the regulation requirements) they can be charged a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per instance, as well as possible license suspension for up to 90 days, according to the FMCSA Section 383.53.

In other words, this regulation should not be taken lightly. If you don’t follow the law, your job could be on the line.

Why Haven’t I Heard About it?

This law may come as a surprise to many, as there wasn’t much media coverage when it was first unveiled in May of 2011. The reason why there wasn’t much talk was likely because there was a three year delay from its creation to the original enforcement date of July 2014. Then years went by with some states taking the regulation into consideration, and others ignoring it, since they were not legally required to enforce it.

How Do I Get the Endorsement?

To get the endorsement, simply go to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), request the Tanker Endorsement Knowledge Test and pay the fees, which average around twenty dollars. There are a few practice tests available online, like this one.

The smart move is to go ahead and get the tanker endorsement on your license as soon as possible if you plan on carrying any significant volume of liquid and gaseous material, hazardous or not. The process of getting the endorsement is extremely minimal compared to the consequences of being caught without it.

Note: The information provided in this article is up-to-date at the time of publishing. Trinity Logistics cannot be held responsible if any driver is caught without a tanker endorsement while traveling through a state which was listed as not enforcing the rule at time of publishing. 

Originally written December 4, 2014. Updated by Christine Griffith

What is Responsible Care®?

According to their website, Responsible Care® is the chemical manufacturing industry’s environmental, health, safety and security performance initiative. It is an international improvement initiative of the chemical industry. Companies of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) carry out Responsible Care®. Choosing a 3PL that is part of the Responsible Care® program can be a benefit to your company, especially when shipping chemicals.

Why is it beneficial to choose a 3PL that is Responsible Care® certified?

Working with a Responsible Care® certified broker holds many advantages for your company. The 3PL will:

• understand the requirements to ship your chemicals
• provide extensive carrier vetting
• have a selection of many approved carriers
• understands the liability of moving hazardous chemicals
• be committed to doing all it can for sustainability

As of 2018, there are only 103 Responsible Care® Partner companies.

Only 24 of those are 3PLs.

How does Trinity Logistics use Responsible Care® when arranging chemical shipping?

Trinity Logistics has been Responsible Care® certified since 2009. Unlike most brokers, we carry Pollution Liability coverage. We chose to carry such insurance with Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHS&S) in mind. Spills happen and need to be remedied immediately. Pollution Liability covers costs associated with pollution clean-up, and liability claims for pollution-related injuries, illnesses or death.

Our main goal as a company is continuous improvement. To do better today than we did yesterday. We do this by selecting approved carriers given the information our customers provide regarding their chemical shipment.

Trinity Team Members mitigate risk to our customers and carriers through carrier vetting and thorough communication.

Carrier vetting

Carrier vetting avoids the selection of carriers not approved for particular shipments. Doing so reduces the risk for the loss of containment.

Only trained Team Members can select approved carriers for hazardous shipments. Required training takes place each year for those Team Members involved. This annual training keeps those Team Members up to date with any regulations or process changes regarding hazmat certification. Operating procedures are in place for shipments that need specific certifications, such as hazmat or Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT).

We have an entire team dedicated to vetting motor carriers. Our Carrier Relations & Development Team must verify the motor carrier’s operating authority, insurance, certifications, etc. before the carrier may be added in our database as an “approved” carrier.

Operations training

Our onboarding for new Team Members is extensive. Ongoing training is required to maintain the knowledge needed by a Team Member.

Trinity has a complete program to manage its process with chemical transportation. This includes compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements using system wide operating procedures.

Operations Team Members have a role in the sharing of this information. Team Members make sure information is correct and meets standards with our customers. They create shipping documents and communicate that information with the drivers. Communication is the most important part of process safety and is kept open with our customers, carriers, and our Compliance Team.

Outside of Arranging Chemical Shipping

Responsible Care® is much more than preventing and taking care of chemical spills. Responsible Care® is all about sustainability; how we take care of this earth now, so it is still here in the future.

Trinity has Responsible Care® rooted in its company culture. It is a green, environmentally friendly way of life that we have taken ahold of.

As stated by our point person for our Responsible Care® Management System,

“Trinity’s purpose is to “continually improve people’s lives by constantly striving to be our best”. Implementing the Responsible Care® Management System, RCMS, drove greater visibility and accountability. It became an integral part of our daily operations. Having this system in place allows us to reduce risk and strive towards a sustainable future.”

Examples of our Responsible Care® initiatives at our offices include:

• Battery recycling
• Safety Data Sheets for every chemical in office
• Employee wellness programs
• Active shooter programs

We perform regular checks on our environmental, health, safety, and security performances. We then measure and define our improvement objectives.

Trinity Logistics upholds Responsible Care to keep all of our stakeholders safe. This includes our customers, carriers, Team Members, and our community.

Discover how our chemical customer, Albaugh, came to chose Trinity Logistics as their one source logistics provider in our case study.

Download Now

Read more about what goes into shipping chemicals safely in our blog post, Chemical Shipping and Storage: What You Need to Know.

Originally posted February 3, 2020. Updated July 14, 2020 by Christine Griffith

If you play a big role in the transportation and logistics industry, you know that a lot of behind-the-scenes work has to take place to arrange a shipment. There are additional requirements, monitored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), to ensure shippers are compliant in how they ship hazardous materials. For those who arrange transportation, you’ll want to find a trusted source for shipping hazmat – which is something we’ve been arranging for more than 40 years.

In the automotive, agricultural, industrial, and specialty chemical fields, there are different requirements for transportation of hazardous materials, known as hazmat shipping. Not only do we have the best operating procedures in place to ensure safety in arranging transportation for hazmat chemicals, but we also have the right contacts in place with reliable trucking companies. Read more to find out how we can save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to shipping hazmat.

What shipments are Hazmat Shipments?

While the word “hazmat” may sound daunting, the materials considered in this realm are necessary to keep the economy moving. Industries requiring hazmat materials include farming, manufacturing, mining, the medical field, and more. While hazmat shipments are needed every day, there are necessary security measures put into place to make sure these materials are transported safely.

Hazmat Certification

FMCSA regulates hazmat shipping. To qualify to haul a hazmat load, both the carrier must have a hazmat certificate registered with the DOT, and the driver performing the load must have a hazmat certificate on their CDL. Our compliance team monitors carrier certificates and ensures trucking companies and drivers are adhering to these regulations before arranging hazmat loads. This ensures best possible safety in transit with trained, qualified drivers, while helping mitigate risk for customers.

Tanker Endorsement

In 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rolled out a new regulation meant to keep the roads safe from commercial drivers carrying large amounts of liquid or gaseous freight without the proper training. All states began enforcing this regulation in July 2015. In order to make these changes, the FMCSA changed the definition of “tanker endorsed,” meaning even those who are driving dry vans, reefers, flatbeds, and box trucks were required to hold a “tanker endorsement” on their CDL. Our Carrier Relations team works with our carriers to make sure those hauling hazmat loads have this education under their belt. Read more about these requirements in our blog about the regulation.

Hazmat Capacity

When shipping hazmat, it can become tough to find a carrier for your shipment, especially in harder to service specialty moves or those requiring additional certification. We’re in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Department of Transportation HM-232 Hazmat security plan regulations. Thanks to our relationships with specialty hazmat carriers, we can help you with capacity for your hazmat shipping needs – even if they are harder to service.

Responsible Care ®

In 2009, we became part of the Responsible Care ® Partnership Program to further our dedication to the chemical shipping industry.  As part of this partnership, Trinity has committed to following Responsible Care’s program, through endorsing their guiding principles; measuring and publicly reporting our performance on an annual basis;  implementing the Responsible Care Product Safety Code, Process Safety Code and Security Code; implementing the Responsible Care Management System ® to achieve and verify results; and obtaining independent certification that a management system is in place and functions according to professional specifications. As a Responsible Care ® partner, we are committed to improving our environmental, health, safety, and security performance for all of our functions. You can find out more on how Trinity implements Responsible Care ® in our blog here. 

Choose to save time, money, and headaches with your hazmat shipping.

The hardest part can be filling out a form. We’ll handle the rest.

Originally published April 20, 2017. Updated by Christine Griffith. 

The word “chemical” may sound a little scary. But it covers many different items, including some items in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. When people talk about the challenges of chemical shipping, they’re often talking about materials that need special care. These might include materials that could explode, ignite, emit toxic gases, or cause serious harm if not handled in a safe manner.

There are many safety rules to keep hazardous chemicals from spilling or leaking. Anyone who transports or stores hazardous chemicals must understand how to handle those types of products. If a company or person violates certain rules, they may come face to face with civil and criminal penalties and thousands of dollars’ worth of fines. This chemical safety stuff is no joke! So, what could happen if chemicals aren’t stored and shipped properly?

What Could Happen

If rules and regulations for chemical storage and shipment aren’t upheld, a dangerous situation could occur. In February 2014, a facility near Carlsbad, New Mexico experienced an impactful issue.

An issue occurred at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant facility that was responsible for storing waste from the making of plutonium bombs. This operation was a result of a clean-up effort of old nuclear weapon manufacturing sites. A storage drum containing plutonium waste broke open because of improper packaging. This resulted in waste being sprayed into the air and 22 employees were exposed to small amounts of radiation.

The incident ended with the closure of the New Mexico repository. Investigation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory also occurred. This was where the plutonium waste was being packaged in a way that led to the occurrence.

Storing Chemicals

There are a lot of rules and regulations when it comes to storing chemical materials. One wrong thing and you could literally have an explosion on your hands. To protect the environment and people that work where hazardous materials are being stored and used, containment is important. This is to prevent contamination.

Regulations are created at the state and federal levels to help prevent incidents from happening while chemicals are being stored and moved across the country. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies all have specific requirements for handling chemicals.

Douglas Brown, of Brown Chemical Company in Oakland, NJ states that his company must interface with nine different agencies just to open the doors every day. Along with OSHA, DOT, and EPA, those agencies include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), and the FBI.

There are also safety steps companies enforce to prevent spills, leaks, and injuries. Some safety rules include forklift speed limits, passageway traffic rules, and safety training. Other safety measures could be:

• Implementing storage rules – Larger volumes of chemicals tend to be stored in drums, barrels or Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC), on racks or in large chemical storage units. Using signage to show the maximum volume a pallet or rack can hold will prevent collapsed areas and spills.
• A specialized storage system – It’s common for large warehouses to store products by alphabetizing, order of most used, or reference numbers. But these methods don’t work well when it comes to chemicals. That’s because there are several sets of chemicals that should never be near each other and could cause explosive reactions. If conflicting materials were to come into contact, fire, explosion, violent reactions or toxic gases could result.
• Inspections and emergency response plans – Companies should schedule regular, thorough visual inspections of storage areas to make sure no spills or leaks go unnoticed. This can lessen the possibility of employee health issues, damage to the building and other products, or worse. An emergency response plan should be in place in case a leak or spill happens.

Other typical storage considerations may include temperature, ignition control, ventilation, segregation, and identification. There are even special types of equipment that should be used in these environments. For example, EE-rated non-spark equipment prevent any spark from igniting a vapor or gas. In addition, special padding and static guard helps to ensure electrical equipment doesn’t set off accidents. All proper storage information is on Safety Data Sheets (SDS). An SDS must be on hand for every hazardous chemical in your workplace.

Shipping Chemicals

There are extra requirements that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and DOT track to make sure shippers are compliant when transporting chemical materials. In order for a carrier to haul a chemical load that contains hazardous materials, both the driver assigned to the truck must have a hazmat certificate on their CDL and the carrier must have a hazmat certificate registered with DOT. Before shipping chemicals, a best practice would be to vet common carriers to be sure they have the above requirements. Using a third-party logistics company like Trinity will give you peace of mind when trying to get this information.

Our Carrier Compliance Team monitors carrier certificates and ensures trucking companies and drivers adhere to these requirements before arranging a chemical load. This provides the best possible safety and lessens the risk for shippers.

Responsible Care® partnership is also something to consider when shipping chemical products. This is the chemical manufacturing industry’s environmental, health, safety, and security performance initiatives. Trinity is a proud Responsible Care® partner and is committed to following the program through endorsing their guiding principles; measuring and publicly reporting our performance on an annual basis; implementing the Responsible Care Product Safety Code, Process Safety Code and Security Code; implementing the Responsible Care Management System ® to achieve and verify results; and obtaining independent certification that a management system is in place and functions according to professional specifications.

Another thing to consider with chemical shipping is capacity. Capacity is already an issue because of the driver shortage. But in the chemical industry, shipments often involve regional trips. These long-distance hauls can be unattractive to drivers. Finding tanker trucks for bulk chemical shipments proves especially tough.

Using a third-party broker like Trinity Logistics, will help take the guess work out of shipping your chemical materials. 

Originally published August 16, 2018. Updated by Christine Griffith.