German line Hapag-Lloyd has taken another step on its digitalisation journey with the announcement that it is to equip its entire container fleet with real-time tracking devices. The line introduced real-time monitoring for its reefer container fleet in 2019 with the IoT product Hapag-Lloyd LIVE.
It will start to install newly developed devices to all standard containers in its fleet of three million containers. Hapag-Lloyd LIVE will become available to customers of its standard containers during 2023.
“Going forward, we will be able to provide all our customers with real-time track and trace data, giving them full visibility of any container movement worldwide. We will be able to detect delays earlier, inform impacted customers automatically, and initiate counteractions at an early stage,” says COO Maximilian Rothkopf.
The devices can supply location data based on GPS, measure temperature, and monitor any sudden shocks to the container. In future, additional sensors could be added through Bluetooth. To ensure safety for crews, cargo and vessels, the devices are designed and certified to the ATEX Zone 2 explosion-proof standard. The company will continue to work with key customers to develop and expand the product and its features based on their feedback.
According to Alphaliner data, Hapag-Lloyd is ranked as the world’s fifth-largest container line with a fleet of 248 owned and chartered ships, representing 1.7 million TEUs capacity.