Hapag-Lloyd Installed IoT Enabled tracking devices on its containers in order to improve transparency throughout the supply chain. These cutting-edge devices will broadcast real-time data from each container, improving visibility. Hapag, which has a fleet of over 1.6 million dry containers, is using IoT devices for the first time at a container maintenance repair depot in Hamburg.
The CEO of the company, Maximilian Rothkopf stated, “We are the first carrier in the industry to undertake such a far-reaching step towards the digitalization 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’s worth noting that the devices combine energy-harvesting technology with low-power consumption strategies. This allows for the relatively easy transmission of high-frequency data. Furthermore, ambient temperature measurement, monitoring of any abrupt shocks, and GPS data transmission are also conceivable.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.”
Hapag-Lloyd has 253 vessels, 11.9 million TEU transport volume, and around 14,300 employees in more than 400 offices in 137 countries. Hapag-Lloyd is a leading global liner shipping company. Hapag-Lloyd offers a fleet with a Vessel Capacity of 1.8 million TEU, as well as a Container Capacity 3.0 million TEU including one of the world’s largest and most modern reefer container fleets. A total of 126 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all continents. Hapag-Lloyd belongs to the leading ocean carriers for the trades Transatlantic, Middle East, Latin America, and Intra-America.
