Cold chains ensure the safety and quality of perishable goods. Incorrect storage temperatures can cause textural degradation, discoloration, bruising, and microbiological growth. Cold chain logistics involves transporting temperature-controlled items like food, beverages, and biopharmaceuticals. In this paper we wish to outline challenges and opportunities via a literature review of ‘cold chain’ research agenda with a specific focus on transportation and logistics. Previous attempts have been made in addressing the technological aspects of the cold chains, such as efficient energy system and sustainable refrigeration technologies in response to, for instance, delivering a low temperature-controlled products. Our proposed approach here is to set up the ground for logistics and transportation studies and aid the development of cold chain modelling and simulation. We introduce a modelling framework, MILES (Multimodal Integrated Logistics Environment System), originated as part of the UK research initiatives in addressing sustainable road freight, to explore the sustainable cold chain. A conceptual design of an agent-based model using Scottish salmon logistics network was also introduced.