Reliable Refrigerated Container Transport & Shipping Services

Move temperature-sensitive freight with confidence through refrigerated container transport and shipping services built for pharma, perishables, food-grade products, and protect-from-freeze loads. Little John Transportation Services combines thermal-mapped reefer capacity, 24/7 live temperature monitoring, GDP-compliant processes, and audit-ready chain-of-custody documentation to protect every shipment from pickup through delivery across North America.

Refrigerated container truck at loading dock

Our Refrigerated Container Transport Services

Temperature-controlled freight solutions for regulated, perishable, urgent, and cross-border refrigerated shipments across North America.

Cold Chain

GDP-compliant refrigerated freight for pharma, perishables, and food-grade products using thermal-mapped reefer capacity, continuous temperature logging, live exception alerts, and audit-ready chain-of-custody documentation from pickup to delivery.

Reefer Truckload

Full truckload reefer capacity for dedicated temperature-controlled moves, backed by vetted carriers, 24/7 dispatch and tracking, and coverage across domestic, regional, long-haul, and cross-border lanes.

Expedited Reefer

Time-critical refrigerated service for urgent life-sciences, perishables, and production-sensitive freight, using direct routing, team-driver options, staged capacity, and control-tower oversight for every leg.

Cross-Border Reefer

Refrigerated cross-border support between the U.S. and México with bilingual coordination, customs support, monitored operations, and access to gateway locations anchored by the Laredo logistics facility.

Intermodal Drayage

Door-to-door container, chassis, rail, and drayage coordination for refrigerated shipping routes that require intermodal planning, port or ramp connections, and reliable inland transport capacity.

Multi-Temp Shipping

Flexible refrigerated solutions for shipments needing frozen, chilled, protect-from-freeze, multi-temp, or partitioned trailer configurations, helping preserve product integrity across mixed temperature requirements.

Dispatcher monitoring refrigerated container shipment

Our Refrigerated Shipping Process

Define Requirements and Risk

We review commodity type, temperature range, transit window, handling instructions, and compliance needs before assigning capacity. This ensures pharma, perishables, food-grade, frozen, chilled, or protect-from-freeze freight starts with the right plan.

Match Reefer Capacity

Confirm Pre-Cool and Documentation

Monitor Every Mile

Close With Audit Records

Proven Freight Results

Success Stories

Trusted by enterprise shippers moving sensitive, regulated, and high-value freight across North America.

"Sin duda, Jacob Goodwin ha sido uno de los agentes de Landstar más profesionales y directos con los que he tratado hasta hoy. Es muy comprensivo y honesto, y hace todo lo posible para que la tarifa sea justa. Gracias por hacer un gran trabajo, sigan así."

Jerome Washington
The Little John Difference

Why Choose Little John Transportation Services?

Built for shippers who cannot risk temperature excursions, missed windows, or unclear accountability.

Cold Chain Control

Thermal-mapped reefers, live temperature monitoring, and audit-ready records support regulated cold chain performance.

Human Support

Real dispatch teams monitor freight 24/7, respond to exceptions, and keep shippers informed.

Compliance First

GDP-compliant capacity, FSMA-aligned practices, FMCSA rating, and documented custody help protect sensitive freight.

North America Reach

Coverage across the U.S., México, and Canada connects refrigerated freight with major North American lanes.

Meet The Freight Team

Meet the people behind complex refrigerated freight execution.

Portrait of Christopher Dale, Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services

Christopher Dale

Co-Founder & CEO

Christopher Dale is the Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services, the specialized freight company he built from the ground up in the mid-1990s alongside his brother Steven. With over 30 years at the helm, Christopher has led the company through remarkable growth — from a small operator-focused business to a North American leader ranked #1 on the ACT Transport 50 for 16 consecutive years. His expertise spans heavy-haul, hazmat, and U.S.–México cross-border logistics, handling the complex freight most carriers refuse. Christopher's leadership philosophy centers on human-first communication, operational excellence, and safety-driven execution, values that have earned the company a 100% retention rate among its Top 100 customers and an average client tenure of 33 years.

Portrait of Steven Dale, Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services

Steven Dale

Co-Founder & COO

Steven Dale is the Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services, responsible for overseeing specialized operations and the company's vast carrier network. Since co-founding the business in the mid-1990s alongside Christopher Dale, Steven has been the operational backbone of an organization that now manages over 8,000 dedicated owner-operators and 65,000 vetted and audited carriers. He ensures that teams are strategically positioned across key logistics hubs — including Laredo, Monterrey, and Guadalajara — exactly where complex freight moves. Steven's hands-on approach and deep industry expertise have been instrumental in achieving 65 million+ miles covered annually and maintaining the company's industry-leading safety and compliance standards.

Portrait of Kathleen Stingley, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Kathleen Stingley

Account Manager

Kathleen Stingley serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where she is dedicated to delivering the human-first service that defines the company's reputation across North America. In her role, Kathleen works directly with medium- to large-sized clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions — from heavy-haul and hazmat shipments to complex cross-border logistics. She serves as a reliable, knowledgeable point of contact who ensures every load is planned, tracked, and executed with precision. Kathleen embodies the company's commitment to treating clients as partners, providing responsive communication and hands-on support that has contributed to Little John's 100% Top 100 customer retention rate and decades-long client relationships.

Portrait of Brandon Potter, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Brandon Potter

Account Manager

Brandon Potter is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, bringing a client-focused approach to one of North America's most trusted specialized freight carriers. Brandon works closely with clients across a wide range of industries — including energy, industrial machinery, automotive, and chemical sectors — to develop customized transportation solutions for complex, high-stakes freight. He serves as a hands-on partner from initial quote through final delivery, ensuring clear communication, compliance documentation, and seamless coordination across Little John's expansive carrier network. Brandon's commitment to responsive, people-driven service reflects the company's core values and its reputation for moving the cargo that most carriers refuse.

Portrait of Todd Wojtkowski, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Todd Wojtkowski

Account Manager

Todd Wojtkowski is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, playing a key role in supporting the company's mission to deliver operational excellence and human-first service to every client. Todd manages freight relationships across a broad spectrum of specialized transportation needs, including heavy-haul, hazmat, and cross-border shipments throughout the U.S., México, and Canada. He works as a direct partner to clients, ensuring loads are matched with the right equipment, dispatched by experienced teams, and tracked through to delivery. Todd's dedication to proactive communication and audit-ready documentation helps reinforce Little John's standing as the most trusted partner for specialized freight in North America.

Portrait of Robert Wood, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Robert Wood

Account Manager

Robert Wood serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where he is committed to delivering the responsive, detail-oriented service that sets the company apart in the specialized freight industry. Robert supports clients across sectors such as oil and gas, military and defense, pharmaceutical, and retail, helping them navigate the complexities of heavy-haul, hazmat, and time-sensitive freight requirements. He takes ownership of every load from planning to final delivery, coordinating with Little John's extensive network of owner-operators and vetted carriers to ensure seamless execution. Robert's dedication to building long-term partnerships reflects the company's core value of treating every client relationship with the care and accountability of a true business partner.

Portrait of Justin James, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Justin James

Account Manager

Justin James is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, contributing to the company's legacy of specialized, safety-driven freight solutions across North America. Justin works hands-on with clients to manage complex shipping requirements, including oversized loads, hazardous materials, and cross-border freight between the United States and México. He serves as a reliable point of contact who ensures every shipment is handled with the precision and accountability that Little John's clients have come to expect over 30+ years in business. Justin's customer-first mindset and thorough understanding of the company's logistics capabilities help clients move their most demanding cargo with confidence and compliance.

Portrait of Ashlyn Dale, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Ashlyn Dale

Account Manager

Ashlyn Dale is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, upholding the family legacy of hands-on, human-first service that has defined the company since its founding in the mid-1990s. Ashlyn works directly with clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions, ensuring that every shipment — whether heavy-haul, hazmat, or cross-border — is executed with the operational discipline and personal accountability that Little John is known for. She brings a client-centered approach to every interaction, serving as a trusted partner who provides clear, timely communication and end-to-end load management. Ashlyn's commitment to excellence helps maintain the long-standing client relationships that have made Little John the #1 specialized carrier in North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are reefer containers transported?

Reefer containers are transported using temperature-controlled equipment that is pre-cooled, inspected, sealed, and monitored throughout transit. Depending on the route, they may move by truckload, cross-border trailer, drayage, or intermodal connection. Little John Transportation Services supports refrigerated freight with thermal-mapped capacity, live temperature monitoring, dispatch oversight, and chain-of-custody documentation from pickup through final delivery.

What products can be shipped in refrigerated containers?

How do you monitor temperature during shipping?

Do you handle cross-border refrigerated shipping?

Is refrigerated shipping available for pharmaceutical freight?

What reefer equipment options are available?

Can refrigerated freight be expedited?

What documentation is provided for refrigerated shipments?

Still Have Cold Chain Questions?

Get practical answers before your temperature-sensitive freight moves.

North America Coverage

Refrigerated freight support across North America, backed by teams in major U.S. and México logistics hubs.

Need Refrigerated Capacity on Your Lane?

Tell us your pickup, destination, and temperature requirements.

Recognized & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

ACT Transport 50 recognition logo

ACT Transport 50

Recognized as North America's leading specialized carrier.

IC Cranes specialized transport recognition logo

IC Cranes Global

Global recognition in cranes and specialized transport.

TT Top 100 flatbed heavy recognition logo

TT Top 100

Top recognition for flatbed and heavy freight.

Plan Your Refrigerated Shipment

Share your lane, temperature range, commodity details, pickup timing, and compliance needs. Our team will review capacity, equipment, monitoring requirements, and documentation so your refrigerated shipment is planned correctly from the start.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 (479) 264-6501. You can also send us a quick email at quotes@ljtsi.com.