This initiative, driven by Grupo Itevelesa, marks a significant advancement for the archipelago's logistics, eliminating the need to transport vehicles to the mainland for demanding thermal insulation tests.
The transport of perishable products is essential for public health, ensuring that fresh foods (between 4°C and 8°C) or frozen foods (at -18°C) arrive in optimal condition. The ATP Agreement establishes the technical conditions for trucks, trailers, and vans operating with controlled temperatures.
The regulation distinguishes between insulated, refrigerated, and chilling vehicles, each with different temperature maintenance capabilities. ATP certification must be renewed every six years after initial registration, and subsequently every three years through inspections.
The critical moment arrives at 15 years of the vehicle's useful life. At that point, regulations require an isotherm test in a cold tunnel.
This test, which measures the K-coefficient of thermal insulation, is crucial for determining the vehicle's suitability. Additionally, a transitional period until 2027 exists for vehicles that failed the test at 15 years, obliging them to perform it at 21 years.
Passing this test not only guarantees food safety and prevents cold chain breaches, but also contributes to sustainability by reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, it provides legal certainty for transport companies, ensuring compliance and avoiding potential penalties.
Until now, the absence of such facilities in the Canary Islands forced operators to travel to the mainland. With the operation of Itevelesa's cold tunnel at the Port of Las Palmas, the region is technically on par with the rest of the national territory, improving the efficiency and competitiveness of temperature-controlled transport in the islands.
