Revolutionising the Cold Chain: Must-Read Guide on Smart, Sustainable Solutions

Looking to future-proof your cold chain operations?

This comprehensive industry report, Cold Chain Solutions, dives deep into the technologies, strategies, and innovations reshaping how temperature-sensitive goods are stored, transported, and delivered. Whether you're in refrigerated warehousing, logistics, or food supply, the report explores real-world solutions for improving energy efficiency, compliance, traceability, and cost control. From smart monitoring systems to decarbonisation pathways, it's a must-read for any business aiming to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving cold chain landscape. Don’t miss the opportunity to sharpen your edge

Morgans Financials’ Matthew MacDonald & Tom Sartor, Speakers at the RWTA Conference

We are pleased to announce that Matthew MacDonald and Tom Sartor, both senior representatives of Morgans Financial Ltd, will be presenting at the upcoming RWTA Conference. Morgans is Australia’s largest national retail stockbroking and wealth management firm, offering clients full-service investment, advisory, and financial planning capabilities.

Matthew MacDonald, a private client adviser with years of experience across Australia and Asia (fluent in Mandarin), focuses on building balanced portfolios for high net‑worth clients.

Tom Sartor, a qualified mining engineer, serves as a senior analyst and portfolio manager within Morgans’ resources and strategy teams, delivering timely insights on equities and market drivers.

Matthew MacDonald

Tom Sartor

This leading investment firm can help cold chain businesses unlock capital, navigate market risks, and plan for sustainable growth. Don’t miss Matthew MacDonald and Tom Sartor at the RWTA Conference as they share expert insights tailored for the future of cold logistics and infrastructure.

Trump’s Tariffs and U.S. Beef: Impacts on Australia’s Industry and Cold Chain

The easing of Australia’s restrictions on U.S. beef imports and the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Australian beef are reshaping cold chain dynamics across both domestic and export markets. Importing U.S. beef introduces new biosecurity risks and compliance burdens for cold chain operators, requiring tighter monitoring, segregation, and traceability protocols. At the same time, shifting export demand toward Asia and the Middle East presents growth opportunities, especially for ports and long-haul refrigerated logistics. Overall, these changes underscore the urgent need for Australia’s cold chain industry to remain agile, resilient, and proactive in managing trade and food safety challenges.

Australia’s beef industry has just been thrust into the centre of a global trade and biosecurity storm. With U.S. President Donald Trump imposing sweeping tariffs and Australia relaxing long-standing bans on American beef imports, the stakes for producers have never been higher. This article unpacks the political manoeuvring, economic implications, and what it all means for the future of Australian beef.

In a dramatic escalation of trade policy and biosecurity diplomacy, the Australian beef industry has found itself caught in a geopolitical crossfire. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of tariffs on Australian exports—coupled with Australia’s decision to lift

In April 2025, the Trump administration launched what it called “Liberation Day,” unveiling a sweeping 10% reciprocal tariff on nearly all imported goods, including Australian beef. President Trump explicitly named Australia’s meat sector as a target, criticising the country for “banning magnificent American beef” while maintaining strong exports to the U.S. The implications were immediate. Although the tariffs apply to U.S. importers—not Australian producers—the cost burden could reduce competitiveness and slow demand in what has historically been a valuable market. Analysts from KPMG estimated the broader tariff measures could cost Australia up to A$27 billion in export losses. While beef exporters have some insulation due to diversified markets and favourable free trade agreements elsewhere, Trump’s move has injected volatility into trade dynamics with the U.S., long considered a reliable partner.

Amid these tensions, the Australian government quietly lifted biosecurity-based restrictions on U.S. beef—specifically on products processed from cattle born in Canada or Mexico. These animals had previously been excluded over concerns related to diseases such as BSE (mad cow) and foot-and-mouth. The move followed a decade-long risk assessment by the Department of Agriculture but came at a time when diplomatic pressure from Washington was peaking. President Trump celebrated the shift as a personal victory, claiming it as evidence of his ability to “open foreign markets to American farmers.”

The Australian government framed the decision as science-led, yet industry voices—especially from Queensland—have raised alarm. Producers and biosecurity experts argue the decision lacks proper transparency and risks undermining Australia’s hard-earned disease-free reputation. Some are calling for an independent review.

Despite the friction, Australia’s beef sector is holding strong. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the 10% U.S. tariff is likely to have minimal direct impact on producers, as most cost is absorbed on the U.S. side. In fact, Australia’s red meat exports remain well-diversified—more than 85% are covered by existing FTAs with key markets such as Japan, South Korea, and China.

Moreover, geopolitical conditions elsewhere are creating opportunities. With China imposing retaliatory tariffs of up to 145% on U.S. beef, Australian exporters are seizing increased demand from Chinese and Southeast Asian consumers. As one door narrows, others are widening.

While the short-term economic fallout may be manageable, there are deeper risks to watch. The introduction of U.S. beef into the Australian market—no matter how limited—sets a precedent. Domestic processors and retailers may begin evaluating American product, especially if cost pressures increase.

More concerning is the erosion of trust in Australia’s biosecurity framework. If future trade or import decisions appear to be politically driven rather than evidence-based, confidence in Australia’s “clean, green” agricultural brand may weaken. This could have flow-on effects across the broader food and export economy.

The confluence of tariffs and biosecurity decisions reflects a new reality: agriculture is no longer a backwater in trade negotiations—it is front and centre. Australian beef producers, long regarded as global leaders in quality and safety, must now navigate a world where trade rules can change with the stroke of a pen or a presidential campaign speech.

For policymakers, the challenge will be to defend science-led decision-making while maintaining essential international relationships. For the industry, the priority is resilience—adapting, diversifying, and staying ahead of the next shock.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: in today’s world, even the humble steak can become a geopolitical tool.

Prechilling: Best Practice or Optional Protocol? What the Experts Say

Is prechilling refrigerated trailers before dispatch a non-negotiable? According to global food safety professionals and the latest 2024 GCCA Cold Chain Transportation Best Practices Guide, the answer is a firm yes. While not a legal requirement, operating outside this standard invites greater scrutiny—learn why best practice still rules the road.

There has arisen the question, whether ‘refrigerated trailers to be at a set prechilled/frozen temperature at time of arriving on dock for dispatch’.

Whenever this question is put to food safety professionals the answer is almost invariably that prechilling should take place. 

Indeed the GCCA Cold Chain Transportation Best Practices Guide revised and updated in 2024 strongly recommends it. 

There is the science on

(a) the necessity of doing it for product temperature integrity reasons and

(b) the best approach from an energy efficiency perspective is not definitive and ripe for further study.  

It’s one of those issues that emerges occasionally; food safety people tend to take a stand and most revert to the more risk averse, best practice.

If companies were to operate under a different protocol, they would not be acting illegally.

Still, they would have to demonstrate clearly how they maintain product temperature through their broader handling protocols and would be exposed if issues arose because they would be acting outside industry best practice. 

Below is an excerpt from the GCCA Portal;

*By being a Member of the RWTA you are immediately recognised as a Member of the Global Cold Chain Alliance as well.

The GCCA have online resources that are free for you to use as are the 18 scientists and emergency request portal.

Let me know if you do not have a sign in and we will get this for you.

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Spotlight on Speaker, Simon O’Hara

Delighted to welcome Simon O’Hara to our conference to discuss what does it take to move freight forward in a time of regulation, reform, and rising expectations?

Simon O’Hara, CEO of Road Freight NSW, brings sharp insights and real-world advocacy to the table—pushing for safety, sustainability, and smarter logistics. Get a glimpse into his vision for the future of Australia’s supply chain logistics and why it matters to every operator in the industry. See Simon in action at the Conference! 

Smart Cold Chain: Real-Time IoT & AI Is Now a Shelf-Life Saver

In a market where a single temperature misstep can compromise entire shipments, IoT and AI are emerging as indispensable tools for cold-storage and refrigerated transport operators.

The recent article “Smart Cold Chain Logistics with IoT and AI” (July 4, 2025) outlines how embedded sensors now provide real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, shocks, and door openings—enabling instant corrective action rather than reactive audits.

Leveraging AI for predictive maintenance, these solutions can detect early signs of equipment degradation—compressors, seals, refrigeration units—before full failure, significantly reducing unplanned downtime and shipment losses.

On the transport side, AI-enabled routing adjusts logistics based on live data—traffic, heat risks, handoff points—optimising delivery integrity and safety.

Other benefits include automated compliance reporting (with time-stamped logs), waste reduction via cooler power management, and full supply-chain visibility across stakeholders—all while scaling smoothly with growing operations.

Experion Global Brings Digital Edge to the Cold Chain

In this week’s Chilled Out vodcast, Marianne chats with our new member, Dion Nathanielsz from Experion Global, a leading provider of digital transformation and product engineering services. 

Experion Global is committed to equipping the refrigerated logistics sector with intelligent solutions that improve operational efficiency, unlock new revenue streams, and digitises cold chain processes. 

From smart automation to predictive analytics, their technology is designed to future-proof businesses in our industry.

We are very happy to welcome Experion Global and their expertise to the RWTA community and are keen to see the innovations they’ll bring to the sector! 

Industry Skills Australia have released their 2025 workforce plan for transport and logistics.

Julie Russell OAM

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) has released its 2025 workforce plan for the transport and logistics industry, which includes road freight transport.

Shaped by the strategic workforce planning committee for the industry and prepared by ISA, the plan includes a detailed snapshot of the current workforce, an analysis of current and emerging workforce challenges and forward-thinking actions to address priority workforce issues.

The ATA is represented on the committee by Julie Russell OAM (pictured), who said the committee was consulted on workforce plans and provided with detailed analysis that identifies and tracks workforce trends. 

“From this analysis, we review, rationalise and agree a pipeline of activities to support and build a sustainable, world-class workforce,” Julie said. 

While not all initiatives can be put into the current year’s plan, the committee work to ensure to prioritisation is considered and relevant across the transport and logistics space. 

“We were pleased to present a workforce plan accepted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and recognise its value as a central roadmap for collaboration across industry.”

ISA will hold a webinar about the transport and logistics plan on 24 July from 11.00am-11.45am AEST.

Read the 2025 plan
Register for the webinar

Revolutionary Solar Tech for Cold Chain: GoodWe’s Galaxy Series Panels

Looking to reduce emissions and power costs across your cold storage or transport operations?

GoodWe’s Galaxy Series Solar Panels offer a lightweight, ultra-durable solar solution tailored for the cold chain.

These innovative BIPV panels require no roof penetration, making them ideal for retrofitting refrigerated trucks, warehouses, and fragile roofs.

Weighing just 5.6 kg/m² and delivering up to 216W/m², they slash fuel usage, preserve insulation integrity, and install in just minutes.

With a 15-year product and 30-year performance warranty, the Galaxy Series helps future-proof your operations with sustainable, efficient energy.

Cold Chain Costs on the Rise: Key Takeaways from Q1 2025

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has released its Q1 2025 Cold Chain Index (CCI)—a must-read for industry stakeholders navigating the evolving cost landscape of refrigerated warehousing. 

This quarter’s report reveals a 4.97% increase in total cold storage costs compared to Q1 2024, signalling continued financial pressures across multiple operational categories.

Notably, rental costs have surged by 5.55%, especially in urban markets, while labour expenses rose by 4.11%, with the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions bearing the brunt.

A sharp 4.95% spike in electricity costs—the highest seen in recent quarters—underscores the growing importance of energy efficiency strategies.

Meanwhile, supply costs remained relatively moderate, with a 2.97% increase.

The CCI, developed in partnership with Texas A&M University, goes beyond surface-level insights. It’s a dynamic, customisable tool for GCCA members, offering data tailored to individual facility profiles and regional conditions. 

Whether you're preparing for contract negotiations or re-evaluating operational budgets, this report is a vital resource.

This is a must read, here is the full report now to stay ahead of the curve.

RWTA Conference 2025 PROGRAM

This year’s conference frames a forward-thinking program focused on real-world solutions.

Topics will explore how to optimise energy efficiency, reduce emissions, transition to automation, and design infrastructure for long-term durability.

Strategic sessions will unpack freight and rail developments, capital market trends, IR resilience, and IT systems that meet the evolving needs of 3PL providers, and of course, culminating on the last night to award the winner of the Frank Vale Award!

Attendees will explore how to build a smarter, greener and more resilient cold chain for Australia.

Topics include reducing emissions and energy consumption, transitioning to automation, and designing infrastructure that supports long-term sustainability and performance.

Sessions will also unpack developments in freight and rail, capital market implications for logistics investment, the role of industrial relations reform, and how leading 3PL providers are reshaping their tech partnerships.

From insightful tech talks and strategic panel discussions to the prestigious Frank Vale Award presentations, this year’s conference is packed with value.

It’s the ideal platform to engage with industry leaders and solution providers shaping the future of our cold chain.

Workforce Solutions for a Strong FY26 Start

The Market is Heating Up

Australia’s cold chain logistics sector is undergoing constant and rapid transformation, spurred by rising demand for fresh food, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce deliveries.

Demand is on the Rise

The main drivers of growth are in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Over 40% of Australian retail spend is on food, and that figure is climbing with population growth and the surge in online grocery shopping. In 2023 alone, Australians spent approximately A$13 billion online on food and liquor. In 2024, Australians spent approximately A$13.6 billion online on food and liquor, marking an increase from the A$13.2 billion spent in 2023. This growth reflects a continued shift towards online shopping for everyday essentials, driven by factors such as convenience and cost-effectiveness.

The rise in online food and liquor sales is part of a broader trend in Australia's e-commerce sector; in 2024, total online spending reached a record A$69 billion, up 12% from the previous year. This sustained growth in online food and liquor sales underscores the importance of efficient cold chain logistics and storage solutions to meet the evolving demands of Australian consumers.

Our export profile is also sharpening. Food and beverage exports make up 11% of national manufacturing exports by value. As Asian markets continue to seek Australian produce, the need for robust cold logistics intensifies.

Capacity Crunch

Australia currently has around 10.2 million cubic metres of refrigerated warehouse space. That’s only 0.4 m³ per urban resident.

With vacancy rates sitting near zero, the sector is already at full stretch. A limited supply pipeline of temperature-controlled warehouses means this crunch is likely to worsen without substantial investment.

The 3 major players dominate the Australian cold storage landscape, Lineage Logistics, Americold and NewCold. These operators are expanding aggressively to meet demand, with facilities like NewCold’s continuing expansion in Truganina, showcasing modern, high-capacity design.

Rents and Returns

Cold storage isn’t just a hot sector—it’s a premium one. Leasing rates for temperature-controlled facilities are often double those of standard industrial assets. Yields are also attractive, offering 50 to 100 basis points more than dry warehouses due to their scarcity and high barriers to entry. Location is critical. Proximity to transport hubs and urban centres greatly affects cost, demand, and turnaround efficiency.

The Road Ahead

Forecasts are bullish: from a market size of A$2.67 billion in 2024, Australia’s cold storage sector is projected to grow nearly sixfold to A$14.83 billion by 2034. To support this growth, new developments—both speculative and built-to-suit—are already underway across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. As Australia grapples with supply constraints, opportunities abound for investment, innovation, and expansion in this vital sector of the supply chain.

As champions of the cold chain, we stand at the forefront of a sector that's not just growing but thriving with purpose and potential. Now is our moment to lead with innovation, collaboration, and confidence in the future we’re helping to build for Australia. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming conference at the Langham to thrash out more facts and figures, and of course solutions for the year ahead.

Chill out with Swisslog at CeMAT 2025

See the latest temperature-controlled warehouse automation and intelligent software at Stand A9

Swisslog is bringing its global expertise and local experience in temperature-controlled warehouse automation to CeMAT 2025, held in Sydney from July 22–24.

Visit Swisslog at Stand A9 to experience:

• Cold storage automation that reduces energy use by up to 20% and minimises the time humans spend in harsh freezer environments

• Up to 4x more storage within the same building footprint with space-efficient warehouse automation solutions

• Live demonstrations of our AutoStore grid-based ASRS integrated with Swisslog’s ItemPiQ multi-functional gripper (held at Swisslog’s head office, a short walk from CeMAT)

• Showcases of our SynQ software and PowerStore high density pallet shuttle system

• Tech tours – sign up to visit customer sites and see warehouse automation in action on July 23 from 12-3pm, including BevChain’s award-winning PowerStore – transport is provided.

Swisslog’s solutions are designed to maximise productivity, reduce operating costs, and futureproof warehouses for ambient, chilled, or deep-freeze operations.

Ready to see temperature controlled warehouse automation in action? Click below to set up a meeting, book a demo, or arrange a site visit with a Swisslog expert.

 Swisslog is a proud member of the Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association of Australia (RWTA).

Swisslog Australia Pty Ltd.

Level 7, 10 Herb Elliott Avenue

Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9869 5900

E-mail: anz@swisslog.com

Exploring Global Cold Chain Solutions with Link Logistics – Chilled Out Series Update

In this week's Chilled Out instalment, RWTA Executive Officer Marianne Kintzel caught up with Matt and Lee from Link Logistics, based in chilly Tasmania. 

As an Australian-owned cold storage provider and international freight forwarder, Link Logistics offers a comprehensive supply chain solution encompassing both air and sea freight. 

Their global network is streamlined through a single point of contact, ensuring efficient and reliable service delivery.

You will see Matt at the RWTA August Conference, where members can explore the full extent of their capabilities. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the team and learn more in person!

Gyre Energy

Introducing new RWTA International member Gyre Energy!

Gyre Energy is an Oxford based venture that is working to reduce cooling costs and emissions within the Cold Storage industry by utilising advanced AI software and thermal energy storage.

Developing their product in collaboration with academics from the University of Oxford, they were recently a winner of the OxBridge AI Challenge (from over 220+ Cambridge and Oxford startups) and were shortlisted finalists at the UK Innovation Zero awards (the UK’s largest sustainability event).

Gyre Energy are keen to connect with members of the RWTA community to discuss collaborations to reduce their energy costs and enable large scale flexibility of their cooling assets.

Like to get in touch?

Contact:

Dougald Coulson
Co-founder and CEO – Gyre Energy

dougald@gyreenergy.com
www.gyreenergy.com

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Harnessing AI to Cool Smarter: A Chilled-Out Chat with Gyre Energy.

Watch: In this edition of our ‘Chilled Out’ series, I sit down with Dougald Coulson, co-founder and CEO of Gyre Energy, a new RWTA Member bringing UK innovation to Australia’s shores.

SPACE AVAILABLE Sydney and the East Coast

Through expansions, Minus1 have capacity on the East Coast.

Interested? Get in touch now with

Billy Barba

CEO & Managing Director

bill@minus1.com.au

P.  1300minus1  

Celebrating Our 2025 Exhibitors

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the exhibitors who transform our conference into a vibrant hub of knowledge exchange, hands-on discovery, and meaningful business connections.

By engaging directly with delegates, our exhibitors help spark fresh thinking and forge valuable relationships across the cold chain industry.

RWTA is proud to provide a platform where ideas are shared, innovations are explored, and meaningful connections are made.

Thank you to all our 2025 exhibitors—you are a vital part of what makes the RWTA National Conference a must-attend event for our community.

Simple Actions that Change Lives – Find Out How

Do you have excess stock or discontinued products taking up space?

What if those goods could do more than gather dust — what if they could make a real difference in someone’s life?

Here is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community, reduce waste, and support food rescue at scale.

Whether it’s protein, produce, or pantry staples, your surplus could help feed Australians doing it tough. Click to learn how your business can be part of something bigger, simply by donating what you no longer need.

NSW Launches Major Freight Reform to Secure Economic and Environmental Future

NSW has released a sweeping freight reform plan to future-proof the sector amid population growth, climate pressures, and emerging technologies.

The report highlights critical challenges in land availability, emissions, infrastructure resilience, and skilled labour shortages. A roadmap of industry-wide and network-specific reforms—covering planning, data use, workforce, decarbonisation, and pricing—is now set for implementation. These changes aim to boost efficiency, lower freight emissions, and improve service continuity across road, rail, port, and air networks.

An overview:
Transport for NSW’s June 2025 report, Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW, presents a comprehensive roadmap to overhaul the state’s freight sector amid rapid population growth, climate change, and evolving technologies. Prepared by an independent panel, the reform focuses on optimising freight networks across road, rail, sea, and air, and ensuring the system is resilient, sustainable, and economically competitive.

Key challenges identified include severe industrial land shortages, outdated pricing frameworks, and workforce deficits—especially in trucking and rail. Strategic reforms will centre on improved planning, better data sharing, stronger integration of freight in land use decisions, and investment in skills development. Notably, decarbonisation is a high priority, with a modal shift from road to rail recognised as crucial to emissions reduction. Rail produces 16 times less CO₂ per tonne-kilometre than road freight, and even a 1% shift could reduce national emissions by over 330,000 tonnes.

The NSW Government has accepted all recommendations and committed to implementing the reform roadmap. Future actions will include support for night-time freight operations, new infrastructure, incentives for low-emissions technologies, and regulatory reform across all freight corridors.

NSW has released a sweeping freight reform plan to future-proof the sector amid population growth, climate pressures, and emerging technologies. The report highlights critical challenges in land availability, emissions, infrastructure resilience, and skilled labour shortages. A roadmap of industry-wide and network-specific reforms—covering planning, data use, workforce, decarbonisation, and pricing—is now set for implementation. These changes aim to boost efficiency, lower freight emissions, and improve service continuity across road, rail, port, and air networks.