T he cold chain has long been a critical component of the food supply chain. Today, it is more important than ever. In Lineage’s Cold Chain Insights Survey, which was conducted in fall 2025, 72% of the 1,000 cold supply chain decision-makers within the food industry who participated reported rising demand for refrigerated and frozen goods. “As more consumers prioritize convenience, freshness, and reduced food waste, the ability to store and transport temperature-sensitive products safely and ef ciently has never been more important,” says Tim Blazek, head of business development, East Region, at Lineage, the world’s largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT. Similarly, Jeff Lyskoski, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Honolulu Freight Service (HFS), a multimodal freight forwarder, notes “there’s a far greater emphasis on the freshness of foods going to market, with more natural products and fresh foods being shipped and consumed.” In addition, he notes, cold chain encompasses other vital categories such as pharmaceuticals, medical products, biotechnology, healthcare, bodily uids, specialty chemicals and cosmetics, lm, specialty laminates, and much more. EXPANDING COLD CHAIN PROFILE AND PROMINENCE “As more consumers turn to frozen foods for value and convenience, the role of the cold chain extends well beyond transportation and storage,” Blazek says. “It becomes the critical link that makes those choices possible. Preserving product quality and safety from origin to destination enables retailers to keep shelves stocked and consumers to access the frozen and refrigerated foods they rely on.” Advances in the cold chain have changed the availability of some products. “Products that initially could only be considered for transportation in limited areas or moving short distances due to product integrity being
compromised can now move great distances without the risk of losing their viability,” Lyskoski says. In particular, technology improvements allow a wider variety of goods to be sent to market across more distant stretches of the world. Meanwhile, improvements in mechanical refrigeration methods and their systems, supplemental refrigeration (cold packs, gels, and other media), temperature and shipping environment tracking and management, and protective insulation materials now allow for many types of cargo to be considered for movement that may have never been considered before. “The evolution of tracking and monitoring systems continues to improve in the industry,” Lyskoski says. “Supplemental portable devices can be added to shipments serving to complement container-mounted refrigeration systems. These devices track, record, and can transmit product and ambient environment data before shipments are tendered, during transit, and after delivery, allowing the ability to track and monitor end-to-end shipment temperature integrity. “Combined, advancements like these contribute to higher levels of integrity and quality of goods delivered to consumers, and overall a higher level of safety for the transportation industry and consumers alike,” he says. Possessing and maintaining cold chain infrastructure, the capability to maintain necessary capital investment to sustain it, and having experienced and responsible personnel to execute necessary and required procedures are among the chief cold chain-related challenges today. “Implementing and keeping up with technology is costly and requires proper supervision and execution where these technologies are being used,” Lyskoski says. For that reason, working with providers who have the necessary cold chain infrastructure, proven levels of experience in handling these kinds of items, and the nancial stability to maintain all of them simultaneously
are critical to cold chain handling. “Successfully managing all these elements takes several people within an organization who are dedicated to participating in this type of product handling,” Lyskoski says. “Vet the providers being chosen to include items in the review process such as the proper infrastructure, knowledge and training of the personnel who manage these processes, and history and experience performing the work.” Here, HFS, Lineage, and Americold share how they work with their clients to excel in an increasingly demanding— and critical—cold chain climate. HONOLULU FREIGHT SERVICE COLD CHAIN SHIPPING IN THE PACIFIC In Hawaii and Guam, where many perishable items are imported and the demand for temperature- sensitive products such as food and pharmaceuticals is growing, leading cold chain logistics providers like Honolulu Freight Service (HFS) are pioneering new systems to ensure an unbroken cold chain throughout the life of a shipment. Rising demand for refrigerated and frozen foods has helped to increase the need for sophisticated cold chain services. In addition, improvements in equipment, systems, and processes have made more products available for shipment than ever before. Experienced and accomplished providers such as Americold, Honolulu Freight Service, and Lineage serve as invaluable guides for shippers through this new landscape.
August 2026 • Inbound Logistics 49
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