Policy & Compliance
manage their supply chains. Knowing exactly where any given shipment is helps them plan their resources and meet demand. Smart containers are also a deterrent to criminals wishing to break in to steal the cargo or place illicit goods within an already loaded container. By monitoring and reporting suspicious or unexpected door openings that might be a red flag, operators can immediately alert local agents or authorities to potential criminal behaviour. Smart containers can provide greater transparency as to what is packed in the container and who has packed it, helping to mitigate the risk of mis-declaration of dangerous goods and associated risk of ship fires. IoT sensors can detect the slightest change in the atmosphere inside the cargo space, potentially helping with early fire detection. Finally, IoT sensors in smart tank and reefer containers can ensure the set temperature is maintained to avoid cargo wastage and improve sustainability. They can also monitor the efficient operation of reefer equipment, identifying opportunities for preventative maintenance and a reduction in emissions if the equipment is working harder than needed to maintain the set temperature. There are other related smart technologies available, such as electronic smart security seals, that could enhance the benefits of smart containers further. Currently, however, innovators in this space typically work in silos to solve specific challenges. TT implores those focused on delivering such smart solutions to collaborate and take a more holistic approach to address the current risk landscape. Summary The global fleet of smart containers continues to expand, providing transport and logistics operators and their customers with the exact location of containers at all times and ensuring that quality standards are met during transport. This in turn enables any necessary mitigation to be undertaken proactively to minimise the risk of damage or delay. Shipping cargo in standard containers will no doubt continue for many years, but it will eventually start to look like the less smart option.
Why smart containers are the future TT Talk reports on the accelerating adoption of smart containers and the bene fi ts they bring to all parties
T he world’s container cargoes are increasingly at risk of being delayed, damaged, lost or interfered with. Continuing growth in international trade together with ongoing climate change, geopolitical disputes, rogue operators and organised crime gangs mean transport and logistics operators need to keep an ever- closer watch on their containers. Operators and their clients need to ensure containers are where they should be at all times and, if not, initiate mitigation measures to minimise any commercial impact. They need to know containers and their cargoes are being kept at the right temperature and humidity to avoid the risk of damage or fire, and be alerted to any unplanned openings that might indicate theft or smuggling. It is therefore not surprising that so-called ‘smart containers’ have become increasingly commonplace, providing operators with the benefits of greater visibility, security, safety and sustainability. According to Drewry research in 2024, smart containers grew by 9.2% during 2023 to an estimated 2.93 million, up from the previous
year’s growth of 5%. The total is expected to expand four-times over the next five years to more than 8.2 million, nearly 22% of the total (Drewry Maritime Research). Sensors and antennae A smart container is one equipped with ‘internet of things’ (IoT) sensors and antennae, enabling data to be collected and transmitted in real time. The sensors continually monitor information such as location, temperature and humidity, while identifying impact or shock events and door openings. The antennae then send this data to a secure cloud-based platform, which automatically detects important events. Operators can access the data using web-based applications. Bene fi ts of smart containers One of the major benefits of smart containers is greater visibility. They effectively provide independent track and trace information on both land and, increasingly reliably, at sea. This facility is also invaluable as an added-value service to end- customers in helping them to
“ Smart containers effectively provide independent track and trace information on both land and, increasingly reliably, at sea
May 2025 | 19
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