What is logistics traceability in multimodal distribution?

More than a technical requirement, traceability provides visibility, security and responsiveness when incidents occur, while also supporting the continuous improvement of logistics processes.

Incident management and targeted product recalls

In worst-case scenarios, such as identifying a contaminated food batch, internal traceability enables precise action by identifying the affected batch, the ingredients used and the production shift involved, allowing only the compromised products to be recalled while the remaining stock remains available.

Authenticity control and protection against counterfeiting

External traceability provides visibility of the actual journey taken by the goods. This helps verify product origin and reduces the risk of counterfeiting, loss or unauthorised diversion.

Cold chain continuity and consumer safety

For sensitive goods, traceability verifies not only location but also the conditions under which products are transported and stored. Within the cold chain, temperature becomes a critical variable that must be monitored continuously. Access to uninterrupted data and consistent records ensures that products are maintained under appropriate conditions until final delivery.

When an operation combines different transport modes, such as road, rail and sea, operational complexity increases and continuous visibility of the goods throughout the journey becomes essential.

In some multimodal models, goods are transferred between different transport modes, requiring every loading and unloading operation to be recorded. However, in intermodal solutions based on trailers or containers, the loading unit remains intact throughout the journey, reducing handling requirements. The trailer leaves the origin fully loaded and is transferred directly to rail or sea transport without the goods being unloaded or handled in transit. As a result, the risk of damage, loss, documentation errors or cold chain incidents is significantly reduced, particularly in sectors such as pharma, fresh produce and high-value goods.

In high-activity environments, such as ports and logistics hubs, the main challenge is often not losing track of the goods, but ensuring data consistency. Duplicate records, inaccurate readings, unconfirmed events and delayed information can undermine visibility and operational control.

For this reason, it is essential to adopt a coordinated approach to multimodal transport, where tracking and traceability are considered from the very start of operational planning.

To prevent information becoming fragmented across transport stages, logistics operations rely on a combination of identification, data capture and monitoring technologies.

Barcodes and QR codes

Barcodes and QR codes act as basic identifiers, linking a unit (box, pallet, parcel or container) to a record within the system. Their effectiveness depends on scanning being carried out at defined checkpoints and on information being synchronised during receipt, dispatch, transfer and delivery processes.

RFID: automated control and bulk reading

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology expands tracking and control capabilities. Rather than scanning units one by one, a reader can identify multiple items simultaneously, making large-scale controls more efficient, such as warehouse receiving and dispatch operations or consolidation areas. This level of automation reduces operational friction, minimises manual tasks and supports continuous data recording.

IoT and Sensors: tracking product condition, not just location

To monitor product condition beyond simple location tracking, companies increasingly use the Internet of Things (IoT). Sensors provide data on critical variables during transport, including:

●        Temperature, essential for cold chain management.

●        Impacts and shocks, particularly relevant for fragile goods.

●        GPS location, enabling real-time position tracking.

●        Other indicators linked to cargo security and integrity.

The value of this information goes beyond reporting. It enables early alerts and incident detection, allowing corrective action before issues result in product loss or non-compliant deliveries.

Traceability and the cold chain:
a practical incident example

For sensitive products such as fresh food or vaccines, transport conditions must maintain a constant temperature throughout the entire journey, known as the cold chain. Temperature ranges can vary from 2°C to 8°C for standard refrigerated storage to ultra-low temperatures for highly sensitive products. In these cases, traceability relies on sensors that continuously monitor temperature conditions.

If a vehicle experiences a refrigeration failure, sensors can immediately detect the issue and send an alert to the control centre, enabling operators to take action before the product reaches its destination and isolate the issue with precision. Rather than stopping the entire operation, only the affected segment needs intervention, allowing the wider supply chain to continue functioning if conditions remain within acceptable parameters.

This approach aligns with real-world healthcare traceability initiatives. For example, Logista announced the deployment of a dedicated service to enhance the monitoring and control of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, providing visibility beyond regulatory requirements. The same level of control is applied to our pharmaceutical logistics solutions. In vaccine transport, we also follow Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines, which are essential for ensuring scalability and regulatory compliance in vaccination campaigns.