Refrigerated Road Transport
Chilled, frozen and temperature-controlled freight movements.
Learn more on the Refrigerated Road Transport pageCold Chain Services
Vehicle transfers that keep the cold chain.
Temperature-sensitive goods moved from inbound to outbound vehicles or facilities with as little time out of refrigeration as possible.
A handover is the cold chain's weakest moment.
When goods change vehicle, they leave the refrigerated space they arrived in and wait for the next one. Cross-docking keeps that wait short and controlled, instead of putting goods into storage they do not need.
We plan inbound and outbound movements together, so the transfer happens on time and the product goes straight from one cold space to the next.
How a cold cross-dock transfer is planned.
The transfer itself is short. The planning around it is what keeps it that way.
Arrivals and departures matched
Inbound and outbound vehicles are scheduled together, so goods do not wait for transport that is not there.
Condition checked on arrival
Product temperature and packaging are checked when the inbound load arrives.
Sorted for the next leg
Goods are sorted by destination and drop order before the outbound vehicle is loaded.
Loaded into a cooled vehicle
Outbound vehicles are at their set point before loading begins.
When cross-docking helps.
Cross-docking suits goods that are changing vehicle, not goods that need to wait.
Several suppliers, one receiver
Deliveries from different suppliers combined onto one vehicle for the same destination.
A long-distance load split for delivery
A full load broken down into local delivery runs.
A reefer container emptied
Cargo moved from a reefer container into refrigerated trailers for the next leg.
When goods must wait instead
Goods held for a buyer, clearance or a later date are better kept in cold storage.
Related cold chain services.
Cold Chain Packing & Handling
Specialised packing, palletisation, loading and temperature-protected handling.
Learn more on the Cold Chain Packing & Handling page
Cold Chain Monitoring & Visibility
Temperature recording, tracking, alerts and shipment-condition reporting.
Learn more on the Cold Chain Monitoring & Visibility pageFrequently asked questions
What is cross-docking?
Moving goods directly from an inbound vehicle to an outbound one, with little or no storage in between.
Why cross-dock temperature-sensitive goods?
It cuts the time goods spend waiting and handled at a facility, which reduces their time outside refrigeration and speeds them to their destination.
How is temperature controlled during a cross-dock transfer?
By scheduling inbound and outbound vehicles together, checking product on arrival, cooling the outbound vehicle before loading and keeping the transfer short.
When is storage better than cross-docking?
When goods need to wait for a buyer, for clearance or for a later delivery date. In that case cold storage keeps them in condition until they move.
Can goods from several suppliers be combined?
Yes, where their temperature ranges and handling needs are compatible. See Cold Chain Consolidation & Groupage.
What do you need to plan a cross-dock?
The products and temperature ranges, quantities, inbound and outbound vehicle details, arrival and departure times, and the delivery points.
Need a cold chain transfer?
Send the products, temperature ranges, inbound and outbound details, and the times each vehicle arrives and leaves.