Download Sample, How Refrigerated Trailer Rentals Are Shaping the Future of Global Cold Chain Logistics and Frozen Food
With increasing global trade, the use of refrigerated trailers also increases because of the rise in transportation of perishable items like food and pharmaceuticals all over the world. Companies participating in international logistics face certain problems like different climates in regions and regulatory requirements by countries. Using refrigerator rentals, they would have their needs covered in this sector without investing highly in particular types of fleets and can afford a rapid response to changed demand for border-to-border transport. According to the World Economic Forum, global trade in goods and services is expected to grow by 2.3% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025. Additionally, there are stringent rules to follow for temperature-sensitive products such as EU GDP for pharmaceuticals or FDA for food items. Hiring compliant trailers would ensure smooth transportation compliance with the rules that save the company from delayed products and penalties while ensuring good product quality at borders.
Frozen food demand is the leading factor as far as growing refrigerated trailer rental markets are concerned. The growing population opting for precooked options with a much longer shelf life has also contributed a lot to the growing need for efficient transport solutions: refrigerated trailers cold chain in transportation, and fresh frozen food. As stated by the International Institute of Refrigeration, the global frozen food market was valued at approximately US$ 392.4 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach US$ 612.3 billion by 2032. Hence, there would be increased demand for refrigerated trailers transporting these products long distances safely, hence driving the rental market for such specialized vehicles.
Frozen food demand is the leading factor as far as growing refrigerated trailer rental markets are concerned. The growing population opting for precooked options with a much longer shelf life has also contributed a lot to the growing need for efficient transport solutions: refrigerated trailers cold chain in transportation, and fresh frozen food. As stated by the International Institute of Refrigeration, the global frozen food market was valued at approximately US$ 392.4 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach US$ 612.3 billion by 2032. Hence, there would be increased demand for refrigerated trailers transporting these products long distances safely, hence driving the rental market for such specialized vehicles.
The Growing Need for Refrigerated Trailers in Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Logistics and Role In 3PL
The pharmaceutical market is one of the potential markets for refrigerated trailer rental. The rising demand for temperature-sensitive medications, particularly vaccines and biologics, makes safe and controlled transport solutions necessary. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, the worldwide pharmaceutical market was expected to cross US$ 1 trillion in 2023 due to all of its growth phases. This increasing pharmaceutical production and distribution raises a growing requirement for refrigerated trailers to safely and compliantly move products. Refrigerated trailers ensure the temperature range required for sensitive materials and maintain the quality and efficacy of these products. Therefore, with the increasing global pharmaceuticals trade, the rental of refrigerated trailers becomes an economical and flexible option, thereby boosting the market and ensuring the integrity of medicines that are very important to humans.
As more companies outsource their logistics to third-party providers demand is growing for refrigerated trailers. Many of these 3PLs focus on cold chain management-that is, transporting products with specific temperature requirements like food and pharmaceuticals. It's cheaper and gives the company more flexibility if they don't need to buy expensive fleets of refrigerated trailers but instead lease them. It also means they can scale the number of trailers they require to meet peak demand without having to put up a large capital upfront. Moreover, because 3PLs expand their cold storage and transportation network, they require reliable refrigerated trailers to keep their products at the right temperature. Renting provides them with a fast and efficient means to scale their operations promptly to respond to the growing demand for cold chain services.
As more companies outsource their logistics to third-party providers demand is growing for refrigerated trailers. Many of these 3PLs focus on cold chain management-that is, transporting products with specific temperature requirements like food and pharmaceuticals. It's cheaper and gives the company more flexibility if they don't need to buy expensive fleets of refrigerated trailers but instead lease them. It also means they can scale the number of trailers they require to meet peak demand without having to put up a large capital upfront. Moreover, because 3PLs expand their cold storage and transportation network, they require reliable refrigerated trailers to keep their products at the right temperature. Renting provides them with a fast and efficient means to scale their operations promptly to respond to the growing demand for cold chain services.
Recent Trends in the Refrigerated Trailer Rental Industry
- Increased adoption of electric-powered refrigerated trailers for sustainability.
- Growth in perishable goods transportation driving market expansion.
- Integration of telematics for real-time temperature monitoring and management.
- Increasing demand for refrigerated trailers last-mile delivery service.
- Higher demand for refrigerated trailers in food service and retail.
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The Complexities of Renting Refrigerated Trailers Include Costs, Demand, and Profitability
Refrigerated trailers are expensive to maintain because they have specialized cooling systems and parts, which need regular checking and repair. Older trailers maybe even more expensive because their parts wear out or break. In addition to maintenance, these trailers use a lot of fuel since they need extra power to keep the goods inside cold. This makes them more expensive to operate than regular trailers. As such, rental companies bear the pressure of these huge prices, and in many cases, they are compelled to hike the prices or bear lesser profits. Refrigerated trailers also incur massive investments in technology, like energy-saving cooling systems and tracking systems, that could run at a cost. The upgrade costs to the older fleets can become rather expensive.
The use of refrigerated trailers is usually seasonal; it directly depends on industry-specific factors like farming and food service industries. During harvest seasons or holiday periods, for example, trailers highly transport freshly produced and perishable goods, but there has been a significant drop in demand during the off-peak seasons. This means oftentimes that many rental companies will have idle trailers littering their lots at certain months, which in turn, is not good for the profits of rental companies. So, it's essential to manage the fleet and to plan a demand when demand will be less at low demand season to assure profitability. On the other hand, some industries require refrigerated trailers for only very short periods and thus the demand becomes even less predictable. It makes it even more difficult for the rental companies if the customers will only rent them for a few days or weeks because it makes it difficult to create a steady income.
Refrigerated trailers consume a lot of fuel to power the cooling systems that keep goods cold in transportation. Since fuel prices can change without warning, it is hard for rental companies to control costs. Companies have to pay more to run their trailers when fuel prices increase, which may eventually lead to a higher rental price for customers. This makes it challenging for companies to maintain uniform price quotations and can struggle to keep a competitive edge with customers. It also brings them some challenges about profit because they need to increase prices, only to risk losing some of the customers. Further, if fuel costs go up, it may create problems in budgeting for the coming year. Fuel cost increments are quick to mount and even faster for those firms that have huge fleets of reefer trailers.
The use of refrigerated trailers is usually seasonal; it directly depends on industry-specific factors like farming and food service industries. During harvest seasons or holiday periods, for example, trailers highly transport freshly produced and perishable goods, but there has been a significant drop in demand during the off-peak seasons. This means oftentimes that many rental companies will have idle trailers littering their lots at certain months, which in turn, is not good for the profits of rental companies. So, it's essential to manage the fleet and to plan a demand when demand will be less at low demand season to assure profitability. On the other hand, some industries require refrigerated trailers for only very short periods and thus the demand becomes even less predictable. It makes it even more difficult for the rental companies if the customers will only rent them for a few days or weeks because it makes it difficult to create a steady income.
Refrigerated trailers consume a lot of fuel to power the cooling systems that keep goods cold in transportation. Since fuel prices can change without warning, it is hard for rental companies to control costs. Companies have to pay more to run their trailers when fuel prices increase, which may eventually lead to a higher rental price for customers. This makes it challenging for companies to maintain uniform price quotations and can struggle to keep a competitive edge with customers. It also brings them some challenges about profit because they need to increase prices, only to risk losing some of the customers. Further, if fuel costs go up, it may create problems in budgeting for the coming year. Fuel cost increments are quick to mount and even faster for those firms that have huge fleets of reefer trailers.
Zero-Emission Trailers and Ground-Level Loading Systems Transforming the Refrigerated Transport Industry
In March 2024, Air-tow Trailers, a leading manufacturer of ground-level loading trailers, was proud to announce the launch of its latest product innovation: the ZERO° trailer. Designed to revolutionize how refrigerated goods were loaded, stored, and transported, the ZERO° trailer set a new standard for industry efficiency, safety, and convenience. This revolutionary refrigerated trailer boasted a game-changing ground-level loading system, guaranteeing safer, faster, and more efficient loading and unloading for industries like catering, floral, restaurants, events, and grocery. ThermoKing Refrigeration systems, the trailer maintained temperatures as low as 0°F, ensuring fresher, safer goods reached their destinations. Plus, it was perfect for temporary needs, offering a convenient solution for businesses facing refrigerator replacements or during peak season demands.
In March 2022, Aldi was trialling an electric refrigerated trailer in a bid to reduce its carbon emissions. The vehicle turned kinetic energy into electricity which then powered the on-board batteries as the wheels turned. This kept products cool and reduced energy consumption. The electric trailer could be plugged into an electric point at the supermarket retailer’s distribution centre in Cheshire. Aldi said that the trailer emitted zero carbon emissions and particulate matters like smoke, dust, or other substances that were damaging to the environment. It said that the trial formed part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in its lorry fleet. The retailer was also trialling more environmental fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). From that year, all of Aldi’s new trailers would also be fitted with solar mats to help power them, as well as to track the solar energy and CO2 savings they created.
In October 2024, TIP introduced a new zero-emission refrigerated trailer demonstrator. The vehicle rental and leasing company, TIP, trialled a new e-reefer refrigerated trailer solution. Supplied by the Reefer Trailer Centre, the Chereau trailer was fitted with an axle energy recovery system developed by Thermo King and BPW. The trailer was used by several TIP customers to support them in exploring zero-emission temperature-controlled transport systems. The system featured an axle power energy recovery system with an e-Power axle. Energy could be recovered while the vehicle was braking or travelling downhill. Recovered energy was then stored in a battery so the intelligent energy management system could decide whether to use power from the battery or generators to maximize efficiency.
In March 2022, Aldi was trialling an electric refrigerated trailer in a bid to reduce its carbon emissions. The vehicle turned kinetic energy into electricity which then powered the on-board batteries as the wheels turned. This kept products cool and reduced energy consumption. The electric trailer could be plugged into an electric point at the supermarket retailer’s distribution centre in Cheshire. Aldi said that the trailer emitted zero carbon emissions and particulate matters like smoke, dust, or other substances that were damaging to the environment. It said that the trial formed part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in its lorry fleet. The retailer was also trialling more environmental fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). From that year, all of Aldi’s new trailers would also be fitted with solar mats to help power them, as well as to track the solar energy and CO2 savings they created.
In October 2024, TIP introduced a new zero-emission refrigerated trailer demonstrator. The vehicle rental and leasing company, TIP, trialled a new e-reefer refrigerated trailer solution. Supplied by the Reefer Trailer Centre, the Chereau trailer was fitted with an axle energy recovery system developed by Thermo King and BPW. The trailer was used by several TIP customers to support them in exploring zero-emission temperature-controlled transport systems. The system featured an axle power energy recovery system with an e-Power axle. Energy could be recovered while the vehicle was braking or travelling downhill. Recovered energy was then stored in a battery so the intelligent energy management system could decide whether to use power from the battery or generators to maximize efficiency.
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Surge in Frozen Food Consumption Drives Growth in Refrigerated Trailer Rentals
Frozen food demand continues to rise around North America, and so do the rentals of refrigerated trailers, even as shown by the study carried out by the American Frozen Food Institute, about 38 percent of United States consumers eat frozen food daily or every couple of days. It stated, that sales of frozen foods in the United States exceeded US$ 72.2 billion in sales in 2024 an increase of nearly 9.6 percent over 2023. This increase in demand has resulted in a far greater need for those means of transportation that can preserve the quality and safety of frozen goods. Refrigerated trailers are much needed these days in moving frozen temperature-sensitive products which has caused a boom in demand for these rental trailer services. This increased demand for refrigerated trailer rentals is going to be there continuously because businesses are looking towards more frozen food distribution shortly.
Growing demand for frozen vegetables in Europe has been a major pull factor in the refrigerated trailer rental market. According to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, Europe imported 47% of frozen vegetables from the world in 2023, an import volume of 3.3 million tons with a value of about US$ 830.55 million. This will lead to an increasing import of frozen vegetables and most of them need to be kept fresh. This is where efficient cold storage and transport solutions come to the rescue. This has created a booming segment within the supply chain for refrigerated trailers as they require a proper cooling facility for the maintenance of vegetables' temperatures.
Growing demand for frozen vegetables in Europe has been a major pull factor in the refrigerated trailer rental market. According to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, Europe imported 47% of frozen vegetables from the world in 2023, an import volume of 3.3 million tons with a value of about US$ 830.55 million. This will lead to an increasing import of frozen vegetables and most of them need to be kept fresh. This is where efficient cold storage and transport solutions come to the rescue. This has created a booming segment within the supply chain for refrigerated trailers as they require a proper cooling facility for the maintenance of vegetables' temperatures.
The report provides a detailed overview of the refrigerated trailer rental market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The country-specific assessment for the refrigerated trailer rental market has been offered for all regional market shares, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the refrigerated trailer rental market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic, and business environment outlook, which are anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the refrigerated trailer rental market. Some key countries and regions included in the refrigerated trailer rental market report are as follows:
| North America | United States, Canada |
| Latin America | Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Rest of Latin America |
| Europe | Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Rest of Europe |
| Asia Pacific | China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Rest of Asia Pacific |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC Countries, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Nigeria, Iran, Rest of MEA |
Refrigerated Trailer Rental Market Research Report Covers In-depth Analysis of:
- Refrigerated trailer rental market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
- Refrigerated trailer rental market dynamics (Recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in refrigerated trailer rental industry)
- Current, historical, and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of refrigerated trailer rental market size (US$ Mn), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis
- Refrigerated trailer rental market demand analysis
- Refrigerated trailer rental market regional insights with region-wise market breakdown
- Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
- Latest developments and innovations in the refrigerated trailer rental market
- Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
- Refrigerated trailer rental market sales and distribution strategies
- A comprehensive overview of the parent market
- A detailed viewpoint on the refrigerated trailer rental market forecast by countries
- Mergers and acquisitions in the refrigerated trailer rental market
- Essential information to enhance market position
- Robust research methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions -
What factors are driving the growth of the refrigerated trailer rental market?
The growth of the refrigerated trailer rental market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for temperature-sensitive goods, rapid e-commerce growth, and the need for flexible, cost-effective cold storage solutions in various industries.
What are the key trends in the refrigerated trailer rental market?
Key trends include the adoption of IoT technology for real-time temperature monitoring, an increasing preference for sustainable, energy-efficient trailers, and the shift towards shorter rental periods to cater to dynamic business needs.
How does the refrigerated trailer rental market vary by region?
The refrigerated trailer rental market varies by region, with demand driven by local logistics needs, regulatory requirements, and the prevalence of industries reliant on cold chain solutions, such as food processing and pharmaceuticals.
