difference at the junction. The temperature difference can then be used to cool or heat the junction, depending on the direction of the current. In addition to eliminating the need for chemical refrigerants, solid-state cooling can work with smaller cooling devices. For some applications, it can shrink to smaller than a cell phone, Li says. Peltier Totes, for instance, actively monitor temperatures to within one degree; can handle frozen, chilled, and ambient products; are designed to t into existing ful llment systems; and are portable. “Cold is no longer big and monolithic,” Li says. Ember Life Sciences, the company behind the Ember Cube, is also leveraging semi-conductor cooling. The Cube, a self-refrigerated, cloud-based shipping box, is designed to maintain precise temperature control and keep its contents at between two and eight degrees Celsius for more than 72 hours. The Active Ember Cube, which is in commercial use, leverages semi- conductor refrigeration. The Passive Ember Cube, which uses a vacuum- insulated payload compartment combined with reusable gel-packs, is in a pilot program with an anticipated launch in the rst half of 2026. Both Cubes can be reused multiple times. The dashboards for the Cubes show their current locations and ambient temperature, among other information. The software issues alerts when, for instance, a Cube encounters shipping delays or has been opened. In addition, Ember’s Return to Sender technology automatically generates return shipping labels and schedules carrier pickups. “We’ve made reusability easy,” says Bejarano. Reusability makes the Cubes cost-competitive with many other cooling options. Ember LifeSciences currently focuses on the pharmaceutical industry. As the company scales, it likely will look at applications within the food sector, Bejarano says. But even with all these technical advances, establishing effective, ef cient, and reliable cold chains requires
addressing numerous challenges. Like many sectors, cold chain organizations face ongoing disruptions due to weather events and geopolitical con ict, in ationary pressures, and limited capacity at ports and terminals. Increasingly complex and lengthy
Even as technology and the sector itself evolves, the importance of the cold chain will remain. While it may sound corny, those working in the cold chain should take pride in their roles safely moving and handling the food that ends up on dinner tables, Verbarendse says, adding, “I’m passionate about the role that we play.”
supply chains—many of which span multiple businesses, time
zones, and languages—can lead to miscommunication between various links in the chain. Within a cold chain, the result might be not just delays, but potential temperature abuse. In addition, most food supply chains work at a faster pace than other supply chains, Verbarendse says. That’s especially true when temperature- controlled products are involved. Establishing consistent cold chain operations requires a high level of coordination and visibility, as well as continuous adaptation to new trade rules, regulations, and external factors like weather and changing demand. “Protecting the food supply amid complex international trade dynamics is one of the biggest challenges the industry faces today,” Beattie says. COLD CHAIN TO GROW The industry appears ready to meet these challenges. The cold chain market is expected to grow to $1.1 trillion+ by 2034, Global Market Insights reports. Multiple factors are driving growth, including demand for fresh and convenience products and expanding international trade, Schwe er says. While the rate of increase for new cold storage capacity will likely slow, the need for new, modern cold storage capacity will continue to rise, given the aging current infrastructure. Companies may decide to make greater use of sea transport for temperature-sensitive products. While traditionally considered too risky, technological advancements, such as CCT’s Enshield PCM thermal blankets, make the shift possible, Rizzo says. Shipping by sea, especially for long- haul journeys, is both cheaper and more sustainable than air.
FROM SHIP TO SHELF: MOVING COLD CARGO THROUGH PORT TAMPA BAY
Port Tampa Bay plays a key role in moving temperature-sensitive goods into Florida’s largest and fastest-growing consumer market. With direct access to the Tampa Bay-Orlando I-4 corridor—home to a dense cluster of distribution centers and a booming grocery and food-and-beverage sector— the port supports steady, ecient cold chain operations.
At the center of these operations is a modern refrigerated complex that keeps perishable products moving. The facility includes 135,000 square feet of temperature- controlled space, 6,348 racked pallet positions, and 250 reefer plugs. On-site USDA and Customs inspection areas, radiation portal monitors, and safe glycol- based refrigerant systems help streamline regulatory and food-safety processes. The facility’s location—directly adjacent to the container terminal and a deep-water berth—adds further flexibility. Mobile harbor cranes support breakbulk and palletized cargo, while on-dock access enables smooth transloading for containerized shipments. The result is a tightly connected cold chain environment built to move perishables quickly and reliably through Central Florida.
December 2025 • Inbound Logistics 29
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