Beyond 25 November

25 November was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and there has obviously been a notable decrease in the number of statements, publications and demonstrations in general in support of this date.

At our food liquid transport company, we believe that this day cannot be just adate on the calendar, but rather must represent an attitude and a commitment on the part of everyone at Rios Sangiao. We must maintain a clear and unequivocal position of zero tolerance towards gender violence every day, preventing, not tolerating, combating and prosecuting any manifestation of sexual harassment or harassment on the grounds of sex. To this end, we have a protocol for dealing with cases of gender violence, which we outlined in our previous publication.

This protocol, apart from being a declaration of intent, is a fundamental tool, firstly to provide security to any victim of gender violence and secondly to deal with any incident of this type without improvisation, swiftly and confidentially.

Our protocol combines three types of measures:

The procedure, which from submission to resolution should not take longer than 15 days, goes through different phases:

If the evidence indicates that harassment has occurred, the investigator will urge disciplinary measures to be taken in the report's conclusions and may even propose the disciplinary dismissal of the perpetrator in very serious cases.

The application of this type of protocol is Rios Sangiao's response to a social reality that needs to be improved and is part of our vision of our role as a company within a global context, which is in line with our way of doing things.

We believe that the excellence we strive for in the transport of liquid foodstuffs should also be applied in all areas of the company, including at a social level. This involves renewing our fleets to implement more efficient and less polluting vehicles, caring for and incentivising our staff by retaining talent, and collaborating with Rios Sangiao in social initiatives that promote healthy habits and, ultimately, social well-being.

We want our company, apart from striving for excellence in service with ontime deliveries and exquisite care of our goods, to have a positive impact on its environment and on all the people involved in Rios Sangiao's processes. We want the corporate responsibility that we apply in our work to be applied in general to our way of being.

25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Digital violence is real violence. #NoExcuse for online abuse

This 25 November, Rios Sangiao wants to join in the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women because dates like this provide an opportunity to raise awareness among the general public about issues such as human rights, sustainable development, health and gender-based violence.

Despite the progress made in recent years, gender-based violence is still one of the most widespread and generalised human rights violations in the world. Almost one in three women have been victims of physical and/or sexualviolence at least once in their lives, which makes it necessary to raise awareness of this problem, accept it as a reality in our society and take the necessary measures to eradicate it.

This year, the theme for 2025 is "UNITE to end digital violence against women and girls".

This year, the campaign for the Day Against Gender Violence focuses on the digital environment. Gender-based violence on online platforms is a serious and rapidly growing threat due to weak technological regulation, a lack of legal recognition of this type of aggression in some countries, the impunity of platforms due to their delocalisation, new and rapid forms of abuse using AI, movements opposed to gender equality, the anonymity of aggressors and the lack of support for digital victims.

Forms of harassment or abuse on digital platforms include:

These acts are often not limited to digital environments, but are also reproduced in physical environments in the form of coercion, abuse and even femicide.

At Rios Sangiao, in addition to joining the United Nations Organisation to raise awareness of this problem, we have implemented training on equality for our staff and middle management. We also have a specific protocol for dealing with cases of gender-based violence.

This protocol designates a person within the company who is responsible for managing cases of harassment and establishes the means for processing complaints, defining the maximum time frames for each of the management phases, which include investigating the facts, auditing the people involved,
generating a report and making decisions based on the conclusions.

We are convinced that if we all take a clear stand against this problem, we will reduce cases of violence and harassment and move towards a more just and equal society.

2026, the year of the eCMR

2025 saw the introduction of smart tachographs, and it is clear that 2026 will also be a year of change. The increase in load capacity to 44 tonnes, which will be implemented at the beginning of the new year, is in addition to the change we are bringing you today: the definitive implementation of the eCMR.

What CMR is?

Until now, all international transport must carry the CMR, which is a standardised and official physical consignment note for transport between countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention. This document contains information about the shipment: who is transporting what, for whom, from where and to where, and under what conditions.

What does the eCMR contribute?

The novelty for the coming year is that, according to EU Regulation 2020/1056, European authorities are obliged to accept and recognise the electronic information included in the eCMR. This will lead to the widespread use of this electronic document, saving management time in transport departments and inspection time for the authorities during transit. Using a QR code, all documentation is centralised and available, reducing the risk of loss and penalties, while also complying with eFTI standards.

In addition, this document contains the traceability of each action related to the cargo, with everything recorded in an instantaneously accessible and tamper-proof event log.

In our case of transporting liquid foodstuffs, it can provide additional information that guarantees the safety and traceability of the transport through information on transport temperatures, seals, and the condition of the cargo through documentation or images.

This document has been signed by more than 34 countries, most of which have ratified it, meaning that it has full legal recognition. The signatory countries have expressed their commitment to the document, but its use may be subject to limitations (such as in Italy, Portugal, Turkey, or Azerbaijan). Ireland, Bosnia, and Albania are countries that would be outside the agreement.

It is important to note that if a route crosses a non-signatory country, the eCMR has no legal validity and must be accompanied by a consignment note for that particular section.

Another step forward in 2026 to make us more competitive and efficient.

44 tonnes of liquid food

From 23 January 2026, Rios Sangiao will begin providing food liquid transport services with loads of up to 44 tonnes.

According to the publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of Order PJC/780/2025, which amends the General Vehicle Regulations, general cargo trucks can increase their capacity to 44 tonnes in Spain as of 23 October.

In the case of tanker trucks, which is the case that affects us at Rios Sangiao, we will be able to operate with 44 tonnes from 23 January next year.

At present, our isothermal tankers cannot travel at full load, which means that on each journey there is a loss of efficiency due to unused space.

This change therefore represents an optimisation of resources and an improvement in our competitiveness, given that all our vehicles with isothermal tanks for transporting liquid foodstuffs are approved for loads of up to 44 tonnes, as referred to in the text. Next year, we will be able to make more effective use of the full capacity of our lorries, achieving greater efficiency.

It should be noted that although most European Union countries have already adopted this measure, there is still no complete harmonisation at European level with regard to regulations on weights and dimensions in road transport. Trucks carrying 44 tonnes of cargo will not be able to continue to operate cross-border for the time being, as no truck will be allowed to cross a border with a load exceeding 40 tonnes.

This last part affects us significantly because a large percentage of our liquid food transport operations are carried out on international routes throughout the European Union, mainly to the Netherlands and Holland, so we hope that the next step for the authorities in the not too distant future will be to harmonise regulations at European level European Union and the opening of borders to these more competitive, efficient and sustainable loads.

In conclusion, this change paves the way for us to improve efficiency in 2026 in an area in which we specialise, namely the transport of dairy products, cream and the daily collection of raw milk from farms to factories. As these are domestic routes, we will be able to take full advantage of the potential and load capacity of our isothermal tankers and achieve more competitive costs.

V16 warning lights mandatory from the beginning of 2026

If you don't have one, start looking for one because stocks are expected to run out towards the end of the year. From 1 January 2026, all passenger cars, adaptable mixed-use vehicles, goods vehicles and non-special vehicle combinations must have one of these beacons to signal in an emergency.

Logically, all our vehicles already have this signalling system, as at Rios Sangiao we believe that the professional transport of liquid foodstuffs means that the safety protocols we apply must be more stringent than the legislation.

When asked whether the beacons sold to date are valid, the answer is very Galician: IT DEPENDS.

The DGT establishes the mandatory requirement for geopositioning and connectivity of the beacon with Traffic Control Centres, something that many older models in circulation do not have (especially basic models), meaning that they will not comply with the legislation and must be replaced.

What are the requirements for valid beacons as of 1 January 2026?

It must be carried in the glove compartment or somewhere accessible without leaving the passenger compartment and, in an emergency, it must be placed on the roof or in a visible area of the vehicle within reach, only leaving the vehicle if we have first ensured that it is safe to do so.

The DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) has published a list of devices approved in accordance with regulations on its website, along with a series of frequently asked questions and answers about the use of this type of beacon.

The beginning of the end of tolls on the AP9

The Galician Federation of Freight Transport (FEGATRAMER) has launched an initiative to challenge in court the well-known and much-discussed nullity of the AP9 concession on the basis of its illegality, as declared by the European Commission more than five years ago.

Galicia is structured around the Atlantic corridor that connects Ferrol, Coruña, Santiago, Pontevedra, Vigo and Portugal, facilitating the movement of people and goods and consolidating a logistics corridor that is essential for the competitiveness of Galicia's productive fabric.

In addition to its role as basic transport infrastructure, the AP-9 is a strategic element for the future development of the region. It is key to attracting investment, boosting tourism and promoting business cooperation, and its continuity towards Portugal makes Galicia a privileged gateway for trade with
the Portuguese market and the European area, thus reinforcing the geostrategic position of the community in the north-west of the peninsula.

Since its construction in 1973, it has been a toll motorway in order to recoup the €1.428 billion invested, with its first concession ending in 1994 with a compensatory extension of 10 years until 2004, but the Administration extended the term for another 25 years and it was sold for around €1 billion to a consortium of companies whose economic objective was to reach €98 million per year to amortise the purchase and the outstanding capital.000 million euros to a consortium of companies whose economic objective was to reach 98 million euros per year to recoup the purchase and the outstanding capital.

These two extensions are contrary to European law, and for this reason, various groups, including FEGATRAMER, have taken legal action to demand that the route be made free of charge.

These claims highlight the illegality of the process due to the profit motive behind the operation and the absence of announcements or tendering procedures. Therefore, we request the immediate cancellation of the tolls and the reimbursement of the amounts paid to the concessionaire, as the contract
would be considered null and void.

It is clear that, from the transport sector's point of view, the AP9 toll road being free of charge will result in lower logistics costs for goods originating in or destined for our region. For a product that is of particular concern to us at Rios Sangiao, namely the transport of fresh milk from farms to factories, it
would be hugely beneficial to be able to pass on the savings to our customers and provide a much more competitive service.

Heat waves and the transport of liquid foodstuffs

Food logistics faces a constant challenge: ensuring that products reach their destination with the same physical, chemical, and organoleptic properties they had at origin. In the case of transporting liquid foods, this challenge intensifies during the summer months, when outside temperatures easily exceed 38°C and remain so throughout entire days of travel.

At Ríos Sangiao, we have been specializing in this field for decades and have a fleet of high-efficiency isothermal tanker trucks that minimize temperature variations throughout the entire journey.
Thanks to this technology, we ensure that the products transported experience a deviation of less than 3°C, even on journeys of thousands of kilometers and under conditions of intense external heat.

How does the isothermal capacity of a tanker work?

Isothermal tanks are constructed with materials and coatings specifically designed to thermally insulate the interior of the tank. This insulation prevents thermal energy from the outside environment from being
transmitted to the liquid inside, thus maintaining the temperature of the cargo within a controlled range.
In our equipment, this insulation capacity is reinforced by:

This level of precision is particularly important for sensitive food liquids such as juices, wines, oils, and especially milk and cream, where excessive temperature variation can affect not only the taste or texture, but also food safety.

Advantages of keeping temperature variation below 3°C

Thermal control provides concrete and measurable benefits throughout the entire supply chain:

  1. Preservation of organoleptic quality: liquids arrive with the same properties they had when they left their place of origin.
  2. Food safety: the proliferation of microorganisms or product degradation due to temperature changes is prevented.
  3. Regulatory compliance: we comply with European and national requirements for the transport of food products.
  4. Reduction of losses: the product arrives intact, minimizing waste and ensuring end customer satisfaction.
Experience and commitment

The recent period of extreme heat has tested the reliability of our tankers. Once again, the results have been conclusive: our vehicles have maintained thermal stability even under the most demanding
conditions
, reinforcing the trust our customers place in us.

At Ríos Sangiao, we understand that it is not just a matter of transporting food liquids, but of doing so under the exact conditions that each product requires. That is why we continuously invest in technological innovation, specialized maintenance, and training for our team.

In short, the isothermal capacity of our tanks represents a key competitive advantage for our customers, especially in times of intense heat. Being able to guarantee a variation of less than 3°C over thousands of kilometers is not only a technical achievement, but also a commitment to food safety
and product quality.

At Ríos Sangiao, we continue to move in the same direction: offering transport solutions that combine experience, technology, and rigor, ensuring that the product reaches its destination in perfect condition.

Rios Sangiao, social action in Oroso

Rios Sangiao is a family business now in its third generation in the food liquid transport sector and has always been closely linked to its place of origin.

Our offices have always been based in Oroso (A Coruña, Spain) and from here we have grown to reach international markets, but always with an eye on the place where we started out.

We feel very connected to Galicia, which, with its strong dairy industry, has been and continues to be an essential market for us in the transport of liquid foodstuffs. Furthermore, due to the characteristics of fresh milk, we have specialised in one of the most delicate liquid foodstuffs to transport and ensured that our quality standards have always been the highest. Our land has taught us to work with the utmost care.

And, of course, Oroso has always been our home. It is where our tanker trucks return at the end of the year and where our workshops and offices are located. It is where we are enveloped by the fog and humidity of winter and where we sweat in the stifling heat of summer. But we like it because it is our place.

For all these reasons, we have always wanted to collaborate with the local community, and we are putting this collaboration into practice by supporting sporting activities such as today's Half Marathon and 10 km race on the English Way, organised by Rede Stelar.

We feel part of our community, a large part of our staff belongs to it, and together we work for a social environment with quality employment and social well-being.

The key to on-time deliveries in liquid food transport

Those of us who work in road transport, especially the transport of liquid foodstuffs, know that to arrive on time at our destination, it is not important to drive fast, but rather to plan the route well and avoid setbacks.

Although we usually associate road logistics with experienced drivers, the truth is that behind the collection or delivery of milk, wine, glucose, etc., there is not only a driver and a truck with an insulated tanker, but also a team of people providing technical and planning support.

Our traffic team is based at our offices in Oroso (A Coruña, Spain), and their duties range from optimising route planning to resolving incidents that occur on our vehicles' routes.

Route optimisation ensures that each truck makes the most of every journey. If we have to deliver olive oil to Antwerp, for example, our traffic team looks for a nearby location where they can load the same product or a washing facility to clean the tanker and load it again so that it can return with a new load or
even be taken to another destination, such as Munich in Germany.

The traffic team also plans the farms where our trucks collect fresh milk every day to take it to the factory, taking into account the litres loaded at each farm, the capacity of each insulated tanker and the distance to the factory.

This entire real-time puzzle of routes, driving times, vehicle and isothermal tank positions, service points, loading and unloading points is organised using management software that helps us quickly find the best option for each scenario.

This technology requires continuous training for the team assigned to traffic so that they can implement the improvements that technology offers us through new telemetry systems, artificial intelligence and vehicle parameter management.

So, it has long since ceased to be a matter of starting the truck and heading to the destination. We plan, optimise, anticipate and finally arrive on time. Every collection is made on time and every delivery is made at the right moment so as not to interrupt the logistics chain for liquid food products as delicate as
fresh milk, cream or olive oil.

Road safety for the transport of liquid foodstuffs

In our last post, we talked about the safety measures we incorporate into our vehicles to minimise unforeseen events during loading and unloading in industrial areas and factories producing dairy products or food liquids in general. However, there are other additional measures that have a
greater impact on safety on the road, helping to minimise any incidents.

One of these measures that also contributes to driver comfort is the front radar or distance control. This is a device located at the front of the tractor unit that is capable of detecting obstacles and vehicles travelling in front of the truck in order to modulate its speed and automatically maintain a safe distance at all times. This device also emits an audible warning to the driver in the event of obstacles and, if necessary, can brake the truck if the driver does not respond to the alarm for any reason.

This measure is complemented by speed control, which is more widely implemented in all types of vehicles and keeps the truck at a constant speed without the driver having to keep their foot on the accelerator, greatly contributing to comfort on the road.

The importance of driver comfort translates into less fatigue and better responsiveness to unforeseen events.

Another fundamental part of the transit of our isothermal tanker trucks is the application of route control and monitoring. This helps us to optimise the route by planning stops from the outset. rest breaks, refuelling points, and departure and arrival times at each point.

This planning requires constant communication between our vehicles and the traffic team at our offices, who are on the lookout for any changes that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic jams or the unavailability of a refuelling point, to give just two examples.

Nowadays, route optimisation is an essential tool in our work to reduce fuel consumption, cost per journey and delivery times. In the same way that we renew our trucks, we apply a continuous training system to our staff with the improvements that technology offers us.