At first glance, summer is the perfect time for freight transportation in Lviv. City roads are less congested thanks to dacha residents and tourists who move to the suburbs or fly to relax in Turkey or Egypt. The volume of freight transportation increases, the cold does not spoil the mood, and ice on the asphalt does not create the risk of an accident or cause a truck to slide into a roadside ditch when changing speed.
But how is it that freight rates with the arrival of summer do not decrease as much as customers would like? What can be transported in warm weather, and what should be avoided? And what obstacles do long-distance drivers face in June-August to deliver cargo safely and securely from point A to point B?
Freight Transportation Services
The freight transportation market in summer grows more intensively than in winter. At the same time, certain difficulties are observed in the staffing sector. Few enjoy working in temperatures of +30 °C and above. Therefore, logistics departments have to consider the increased workload and the number of drivers.
The main complicating factor in the summer period is heat. Due to the heat and stuffiness, climate control equipment often fails, and the vehicle’s body and cabin overheat. Freight transportation services become more popular, but vehicles also more frequently “overheat” and end up in the service zone. Timely maintenance and regular monitoring of cooling systems can only change the situation.
Road services can also delay delivery times. Summer is traditionally the time for scheduled road repairs, which must also be considered when planning cargo routes.
Volume of Freight Transportation
Economical freight transportation often involves using standard trailers, bodies, and semi-trailers. This is relevant when transporting building materials or furniture. Some freight transportation services in summer require the use of specialized equipment: refrigerators, thermal insulation tarps, etc.
In summer, the most difficult items to transport are:
- confectionery, chocolate, and candies. Due to high temperatures, they often start to melt during transportation if the interior space of the body is not protected from heat and sunlight;
- vegetable and meat preserves. It is recommended to store them at temperatures up to +25 °C. Increased freight volume can lead to transporting canned products in regular metal trailers at +40 °C and above;
- fruits and vegetables. Also seedlings and pots with live flowers. If transportation technology is not followed, plants may wilt or damage their root system during shocks;
- medications and household chemicals. No matter how freight rates are, transporting antibiotics, antipyretic suppositories, syrups, and solutions can only be done in special refrigerators.
Refrigerated trailers with air conditioning and cooling systems solve the problems of transporting fragile cargo that requires strict temperature control. Therefore, before exploring the freight transportation market for the most advantageous offer, it is worth learning more about the technical equipment of the companies’ fleets.
Economical Freight Transportation
Economical freight transportation in summer using refrigerators and tarps is also common. Large enterprises can afford to reduce rates in summer if they have enough trucks and drivers.
But it is important to remember that every day of delivery delay matters during exhausting heat. Choose carriers confident in their capabilities and experienced in this field. A positive reputation of the company guarantees that nothing will happen to your cargo, no matter how difficult the route to the warehouse gates or store doors.
