So, there are many challenges when it comes to the transportation of certain materials especially over long distances. Certain types of transported items are temperature sensitive and need extra attention at all points of the logistical chain. Because of this, it is important to talk about cold chain challenges in 2021 especially if you are shipping to Saudi Arabia. Now, as you may already know Saudi Arabia is a pretty hot place, to begin with. Therefore, cold chain logistics play an important role by default. Because of that, we need to take a look what are the most likely challenges that this type of logistical train faces in 2021.
COVID-19 is one of the biggest cold chain challenges in 2021
When talking about the covid-19 pandemic we need to take a look at two sets of consequences. The first set includes the immediate consequences, well the second set includes the long-term consequences that are a much bigger issue. One of those long-term consequences includes the impact on cold chain services. In order to understand that impact, we need to take a look at what cold chain logistics are and what points in that chain are impacted the most.
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What is cold chain logistics?
To put it simply, cold chain logistics is the technology and process which allows for safe transportation of temperature-sensitive goods and products along the supply chain. It has many moving parts but the most important ones include:
- Cold storage
- Cold transportation
- Cooling systems
- Cold processing
- Cold distribution
This is important, and it connects to the previous point about a pandemic because all of those processes that keep the goods and supplies at the recommended temperature don’t have an infinite amount of energy to do so. In that sense, the whole ordeal with lockdowns and global border shutdowns has made it difficult to arrange a cold chain logistic operation in the matter in which it should be organized. Even though companies like Four Winds KSA have managed to deal with this issue many smaller companies haven’t. This brings us to our next point.
Rise in costs
The rising cost was a consequence of the situation global epidemiological situation and the geopolitical mess that ensued soon after. Because of this, many companies simply couldn’t afford to raise prices and lose the relatively small customer base that they already had. This resulted in them going out of business.
Like everyone else, even without this situation, you should always look for ways the trim shipping and delivery costs. But, in circumstances such as these, this simply isn’t possible. Moreover, the cold chain challenges turned out to be very difficult to deal with. Especially in the climate of rising prices.
To conclude
The full extent of the covid-19 is yet to be seen. But, we can safely assume that’s it will take at least a few years before all of the present cold chain challenges are gone. However, it still won’t answer many of the questions concerning the time and date at which logistics as a whole will return to normal.
