It’s no secret that refrigerated and frozen transportation is a dynamic, commoditized market. In fact, the only predictable market factors are the peaks and valleys in rates and capacity.

Throughout these boom, bust, revenue and demand cycles, refrigerated shipping has absorbed driver shortages, fuel increases, regulation and legislation. Still, it remains one of the world’s most competitive markets. Refrigerated truck and rail have been shippers’ two main long-haul options (in excess of 1,500 miles). Interestingly, there now are more variations than ever before within these two basic modes.