Carrier offers tips for avoiding heat-related cargo damage

Houston-based Excargo Services, a provider of customized transportation services for time-sensitive, high-value loads, says it has 35 years' experience handling shipments in the Gulf region's legendary summer heat and humidity. With the dog days full upon us, the company's transportation experts share some tips for maintaining cargo integrity no matter how hot it gets.

Clear communication and carefully executed transloading processes are vital to maintaining cargo's integrity in extreme temperatures, they point out. This is especially important when dealing with beverages and food items, plastics, and other freight that has specific temperature requirements. "The conditions require exact coordination of the container and transloading process," says Excargo Warehouse Manager Albert De La Fuente.

The company offers the following tips for planning shipments during extreme summer conditions: First, make sure your transportation providers will honor appointment times so cargo is not waiting unprotected in the heat. Second, see that cargo is transloaded quickly and directly into the container or vehicle to maintain the integrity of the product. Finally, work with a transportation provider that not only can manage the transloading process efficiently but also has a strong understanding of your cargo's quality-control requirements and can therefore make solid decisions during the operation.