Summer shipping: How heat waves affect your supply chain
The mercury’s rising, and it’s not just making us reach for another ice-cold drink. With the UK experiencing its first major heat wave of 2025 in June, with health officials issuing warnings across Northern Europe, businesses are discovering that extreme temperatures don’t just affect people – they can wreak havoc on supply chains too.
2024 was the UK’s fourth warmest year on record, with the highest temperature of 34.8°C recorded in Cambridge on 12 August. Meanwhile, March 2025 was the UK’s third sunniest March on record (and England’s sunniest since records began in 1910), followed by April being the UK’s sunniest April on record. As these patterns become more frequent, understanding how heat affects logistics isn’t just useful – it’s essential.
When Infrastructure Overheats
Roughly 20% of existing UK infrastructure is at risk of overheating, and this threat is projected to rise as average temperatures climb. The logistics industry sits right in the middle of this challenge.
Rail Transport Takes the Heat UK rails are pre-stressed to a stress-free temperature of 27°C – the average UK summer rail temperature. When air temperature exceeds 30°C, the rail temperature itself can be up to 20°C higher, with rail heat recorded up to 51°C in the UK. When steel rails get hot they expand, and if there’s no room to expand, the rail can buckle – causing delays that ripple through entire supply chains.
Port Operations Under Pressure Heat waves present risks to port infrastructure and operational disruptions, with impacts potentially larger in countries where mild weather typically prevails. When port equipment overheats or operations slow down to protect workers, your container might spend longer than expected waiting to be unloaded.
Road Networks Feel the Strain Roads have been buckling across multiple countries during recent heat waves, with asphalt baking in hot sun causing dangerous conditions. These aren’t just minor inconveniences – they can force route changes and delivery delays.
The Cargo That Suffers Most
Not all goods handle heat equally. Temperature-sensitive items face particular challenges:
- Pharmaceuticals need consistent cool conditions
- Food products can spoil or lose quality
- Electronics may be damaged by extreme temperatures
- Cosmetics and chemicals can degrade or become unsafe
Even products that seem heat-resistant can suffer packaging damage or quality issues when exposed to prolonged high temperatures during transport or storage.
What Smart Businesses Are Doing
The most prepared companies aren’t just reacting to heat waves – they’re planning for them:
Timing Adjustments Many logistics operations now start much earlier in the day. Some sites have workers starting at 5am to finish before peak temperatures, with certain tasks being rescheduled and hydration given high priority.
Route Planning Forward-thinking businesses work with freight forwarders to identify alternative routes when main transport links are affected by heat. This might mean using rail where road surfaces are compromised, or choosing ports less likely to experience operational slowdowns.
Packaging Solutions Investing in heat-resistant packaging or additional insulation can prevent product damage and reduce the risk of costly claims.
Communication is Key The best freight forwarders monitor weather forecasts alongside traffic conditions, keeping clients informed of potential delays before they happen rather than after.
Looking Ahead: Heat as the New Normal
Meteorologists have described recent warm spells as “markedly high”, hinting that 2025 could see record-breaking conditions. According to Met Office estimates, extreme heat has been made ten times more likely because of climate change.
This isn’t about one unusually hot summer – it’s about adapting to a pattern that’s here to stay. Businesses that treat heat waves as temporary inconveniences rather than permanent planning considerations will find themselves consistently caught off-guard.
How leading logistics companies approach summer challenges
Smart logistics providers don’t wait for the weather forecast to tell them there’s a problem. The best approaches include:
- Proactive monitoring of weather conditions and infrastructure alerts
- Flexible routing that adapts to changing conditions
- Temperature-controlled solutions when cargo needs them
- Clear communication about potential delays before they affect schedules
- Sustainable choices that help address the root causes of extreme weather
The most successful companies have learned that the best defence against summer shipping challenges isn’t hoping for cooler weather – it’s working with partners who plan for the heat.
Keeping Cool in the Heat
As temperatures rise, the businesses that thrive will be those that adapt their logistics strategies accordingly. That means working with freight forwarders who understand that modern shipping isn’t just about moving goods from A to B – it’s about navigating an increasingly unpredictable climate while keeping your products safe and your customers satisfied.
The heat’s on – but with the right strategy, your supply chain can stay one step ahead.
Need advice on protecting your shipments during extreme weather? Contact our team to discuss climate-resilient logistics solutions for your business.