Smart Containers are continuing with its growth trajectory and well on its way to becoming a part of our daily lives it seems..
As I wrote in my previous article, Smart containers are containers which are equipped with sensors designed to provide real-time tracking of its location and movements..
Using this technology, whether you are a shipping line, customer or security agency, you can track the progress of your containers anywhere in the world, plan your equipment and stock inventory which could possibly lead to reduced costs..
CMA-CGM, Maersk Line, MSC, ZIM Lines, are some of the lines who are already offering smart containers in the market..
Hamburg Süd (now part of Maersk Line stables) became the latest line to announce its future use of Remote Container Management (RCM), which was announced at the Fruit Logistica 2019 in Berlin..
A press release from Hamburg Süd said that in recent months, all the reefer containers used by Hamburg Süd have been outfitted with RCM technology..
Using satellite and mobile radio technology, RCM makes it possible to monitor the refrigerated container and the condition of the cargo inside it – including its location, temperature profile, relative humidity, and concentrations of oxygen and CO2 – around the clock and in real time.. In addition, certain settings can be adjusted remotely..
The press release added that unlike with the monitoring systems previously in place, customers can now use an online platform or an app on their tablet or smartphone to conveniently obtain an overview of the conditions of their cargo in the container at any time and they will be automatically notified when individually defined parameters or limit values are reached..
Frank Smet, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Hamburg Süd said “RCM will be a genuine game-changer for the important reefer market. The added value lies in the fact that customers can use this data not only to monitor their supply chain better, but also to make it significantly more efficient and secure.”
Having complete control over the condition of the cargo enables customers to react to changes over the entire course of the transport rather than just at its destination..
“This offers shippers great potential for cost savings and at Hamburg Süd, we make full use of the advantages offered by digitalization without neglecting personalized customer service and close consultation” Smet adds..
As part of the Maersk Group, Hamburg Süd offers more than 370,000 reefer containers to its customers worldwide which makes it the largest reefer fleet in the industry with every single one of them outfitted with RCM, which ensures seamless availability of this innovative technology which is also is unique in the industry..
Testing is currently being conducted with customers, and RCM is scheduled to become available to all customers as from the third quarter of 2019..
You can view the feature of this RCM below
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Thanks for sharing!
Do I understand well if I say that no GPS is foreseen by the RCM offered by Hamburg Sud?
Kind regards,
Stefano
Nice Article !
So for arguments sake let’s say that I have a temperature sensitive consignment in a container fitted with an RCM facility and I note that midway through the container’s journey across the high seas that the temperature has changed drastically to a level that will destroy the cargo. I don’t expect that there will be any chance to remediate the situation onboard, so my only course of action will be order a replacement cargo. Are the insurance companies ready to take RCM status fluctuations in their stride with regards to claims, or will they want to see the damaged cargo before settling a claim ?
Hi Kris, pretty much what you said.. There is no remedial action that can be taken on board if the unit is faulty.. But insurance companies will need to do a survey of the cargo on landing and arrive at the conclusions based on the survey report.. The RCM statuses will be considered as they show the readings and what happened during the journey..