Revolutionizing Supply Chain Visibility with Advanced Container Tracking Systems

Highlights:

• Introduction to container tracking systems
• Promising benefits of automated container tracking
• Latest shipment tracing methods
• Notable acquisitions made by key players in 2024

Container tracking systems represent a key technological innovation, allowing companies to monitor the location and status of their containers as they move through the supply chain. These advanced systems mainly use a combination of GPS and other tracking technologies that provide real-time information about the location, condition, and status of containers. Usually, container tracking systems are components of larger fleet tracking systems that give visibility across various logistics assets. Robust fleet tracking systems allow businesses to track their trailers, portable equipment, and cargo on both overhead and micro levels. They are able to offer real-time location, condition, and custody data on individual containers. The goal of designing these systems is to offer visibility at the level of the individual shipment to gain better insight and control over fleet management operations.

Notable advantages of automated ocean container tracking

With millions of containers carrying goods worth billions of dollars being transported worldwide, effective tracking has become essential. There are several advantages of automating ocean freight tracking, which helps streamline the entire shipping industry. Advanced tracking systems use Maritime AI™ technology that utilizes AI and machine learning algorithms, collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from various sources. They include satellite imagery, weather patterns, and port data to offer real-time data on container movements. This further generates the most accurate ETA predictions for the entire global fleet of container vessels. The capability of providing real-time visibility of containers makes these systems highly essential when dealing with transshipments, as the container is unloaded at multiple ports and reloaded onto different levels.

Moreover, container tracking systems provide valuable insights into inventory locations, enabling businesses to anticipate delays or early arrivals. This capability supports effective inventory management, allowing for informed decision-making. By recognizing supply chain challenges such as port bottlenecks and inefficiencies, container tracking helps organizations enhance operational efficiency and minimize costs, leading to more streamlined operations.

In addition, these systems reduce time spent on logistics by eliminating manual tasks like phone calls and waiting on hold while logistics managers search for container locations. Businesses now automate notifications through exception management using a Maritime AI™ solution for container tracking. This allows logistics teams to focus on containers that are notably late or arriving early, streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.

Furthermore, they help reduce shipping costs and avoid fees by optimizing routes, avoiding congested ports, and enhancing the accuracy of ETA by utilizing Maritime AI™ technology. Container tracking systems also minimize avoidable detention and demurrage charges by providing real-time and precise ETAs, leading to more efficient shipping operations. Such promising advantages of these systems have increased their adoption in the landscape of maritime, thereby driving the growth of the container tracking industry.

Modern methods that have redefined shipment tracing

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) tracking has become the new standard in modern logistics. Recently, according to SOLAS regulation V/19, large international container vessels must be equipped with AIS. These onboard transponders automatically broadcast the ship's heading, position, and speed using very high-frequency radio. This information is transmitted to nearby vessels and land-based systems, allowing carriers and tracking service providers to monitor container assignments effectively.

On the other hand, container tracking devices (CDS) have emerged as one of the promising methods in this field. These devices are installed inside or outside containers or used as seals with locking mechanisms. They transmit the shipment's latitude and longitude to a central server and monitor additional factors like temperature and humidity for refrigerated containers by utilizing GPS. CDSs communicate through satellite or cellular networks, allowing them to track shipments even in areas without AIS coverage.

Sinay and SafeCube joined hands to bring digital innovation to the maritime industry

In April 2024, Sinay, a French Blue Tech company specializing in ocean freight tracking announced its acquisition of SafeCube, a developer of advanced digital container tracking. With this acquisition, Sinay aims to offer a full set of solutions for ocean freight management by integrating SafeCube’s state-of-the-art software into its portfolio. In addition, the Sinay Developer platform plans to offer a wide range of APIs for developers who want to incorporate container tracking into their systems.

Winding up

Container tracking systems have revolutionized the maritime industry by enhancing visibility and efficiency in shipping operations. Moreover, an increase in the number of smart containers and ongoing digitalization is expected to fuel the development of more advanced tracking systems in the coming years.

To attain more knowledge about the futuristic trends in the container tracking industry, feel free to talk to our industry analysts today!

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