Glossary · Operations
Cool chain
Keeping perishable cargo at controlled temperature end to end.
Technical definition
Cool chain: the set of processes, equipment (cold rooms, refrigerated terminal areas, thermal ULDs, gel packs and thermal blankets) and controls that hold sensitive cargo at target temperature through storage, terminal dwell, transit and connections.
In plain terms
The cool chain means keeping your perishable cargo at the right temperature across the whole journey: from the plant to the destination, with no breaks.
How it works in Chile
Decisive for cherries, berries and salmon: a long unrefrigerated wait at the terminal or a long connection can break the chain and degrade the product before it reaches China or the US.
Common mistakes
- Long dwell on the ramp or at the terminal without refrigeration.
- Connections with waiting windows and no cold area.
- Not monitoring temperature at transfer points.
How it connects to Skymetrics
SkyTracking gives visibility on dwell times and connections so you can anticipate cool chain risk, and the cherry vertical details best practices.