With the aim to boost transparency across the supply chain, the leading ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd has started to install tracking devices on its containers. These advanced devices will transmit real-time data from each container, thus enhancing visibility. Having a fleet of over 1.6 million dry containers, the IoT devices are first being deployed by Hapag at a container maintenance repair depot in Hamburg.
The COO of the company, Maximilian Rothkopf stated, “We are the first carrier in the industry to undertake such a far-reaching step towards the digitalisation of container shipping.” As per the company, around 200 depots will install these devices on standard containers globally, covering a majority of its dry containers before 2024. Rothkopf further added, “The containers leaving our depots with a tracking device will now be fully visible to us and, in a next step, to our customers as well – whether they are in a warehouse or moving on a truck, train or barge. We believe that the increased transparency has the potential to improve the management of strained supply chains.”
It is interesting to note that the devices integrate energy-harvesting technology with low-power consumption methods. This helps in the transmission of high-frequency data with relative ease. Moreover, ambient temperature measurement, monitoring of any sudden shocks and the supply of GPS data— are also possible.
Andrea Schöning, senior director of Container Steering at Hapag-Lloyd, said, “In this first rollout phase, it will be important to streamline all processes together with our IoT partners so as to achieve the technology’s full potential.”
