'Smart Container' talk at Intermodal Europe 2012

A technology case study about the impact that 'Smart Containers' can have on global shipping will be presented at Intermodal Europe 2012 by Don Miller,  the Director of Globe Tracker.

The Intermodal Europe 2012 conference session takes place on Day Two of the three day event, on 28 November, at the Amsterdam RAI. Don Miller will look at the tracking and monitoring of all container assets globally and providing ROI (return on Investment) for carriers through daily operations.Also on the agenda during this conference session are Smart Container Technology, Green Lane Shipping and Global Data Exchange for Shippers, Agents and Logistics companies.

"We are facing a time when Ocean Carrier profits are being squeezed and container overcapacity is driving the industry towards improved operational efficiencies" says Don Miller. "More efficient utilisation of container assets is important and streamlining global operations also results in a greener footprint."

Using monitoring systems and technology such as 'Smart Containers', companies can track containers, helping them to gain a better understanding of the shipping movements across the supply chain and more easily monitor their assets.

Assignment of liability, with bill-back accountability is one of the greatest returns on container tracking and monitoring according to Don Miller who adds that reefers and high value cargo are the early adopters of real-time monitoring and tracking, as offered by 'Smart Containers'.

A 'Smart Container' is any shipping container equipped with sensors and systems to track and report data.   For example, containers equipped with a GT 801 Communications Unit from Globe Tracker are able to determine what, when and how to communicate, using GPS, GSM, Wi-Fi or RF communications.

GT 'Smart Containers' provide data regarding location and the condition of the container, and its contents. Monitoring can include temperature, motion, G-Force impact damage events and electronic seal breaches, as well as other conditions of the cargo such as CO2, humidity, light and even an imbedded or covert cargo tracker.

Globe Tracker securely connects Smart Containers to each other and to the appropriate customer databases, resulting in visibility throughout the supply chain.  Shippers are able to track and monitor individual products, pallets and crates in real time, enabling new services and revenue models by sharing this data with their customers.

Another monitoring and tracking tool offered by Globe Tracker is a shipping concept called Green Lane, which Don will also discuss at Intermodal Europe.  A trusted shipper loads a container and seals it with a real time eSeal. Every 60 seconds throughout the journey, the container receives a report from the eSeal including container locked/unlocked status and remaining battery life. At the port of arrival, Customs can view the audit trail of that eSeal and, seeing no access to the container from point of origin to the port, is able to clear that container faster.

"Intermodal Europe is one of the core events in the ocean freight industry, bringing together a large number of key executive decision makers representing ocean carrier container assets and equipment" says Don Miller. "Never before have container asset utilisation and cargo visibility taken such an important role in the shipping industry, and Intermodal Europe provides a platform to help companies looking for new technologies and ways to increase profitability, to discover these solutions."

Visit the Intermodal conference programme page on the website (www.intermodal-events.com) to see an up to date list of speakers and topics, including a complete timetable for the free-to-attend event.  For further information about Intermodal Europe 2012 visit http://www.intermodal-events.com.