Reefer monitoring goes digital

A fully automated reefer
container monitoring system
has moved into action at
the Port of Hamburg's C
Steinweg multi-purpose
terminal.
“As a rule, reefer
containers are manually
checked by staff at cargo
handling terminals at
specific intervals, usually
of between four and
eight hours, for normal
functioning, temperature,
humidity and other
parameters,” a port
spokesman said.
The new system,
developed by Austrian
technology group Identec
Solutions, records, notifies
and processes all data
automatically.
“Since the end of 2016, a
monitoring device tag has
been attached magnetically
to every incoming reefer
container at C Steinweg as
an automatic link with the
container’s controller – and
the system is compatible
with all current reefer
manufacturers," the
spokesman said.
Once connected, the
tag relays relevant reefer
data every 15 minutes by
radio signal. Should any
discrepancies occur, these
generate an automatic
alarm signal facilitating an
immediate response.
When the box leaves the
terminal, the tag is removed
and used for the next
container that arrives.
All data handled remain
archived in the system and
can be retrieved in the event of
enquiries or insurance cases.