Future Of Smart Shipping Containers

In recent years there’s been a demand for better transparency and improvements with security in the container transport supply chain. Typically, when a shipping container is loaded onto a cargo ship its location and arrival cannot be pinpointed, so the only tracking available is of the vessel it’s been loaded onto. Occasionally a container is mistakenly offloaded at the wrong port, setting back the delivery time by several months. Freight forwarding companies moving cargo internationally are requesting real time tracking of their shipments to better meet the demand of their customers. With that in mind the industry is slowly making improvements and retrofitting containers with smart devices that make all that possible.

Introducing Smart Containers: so what is a smart shipping container? It’s an intermodal shipping container that’s equipped with a telematics device that provides real-time tracking and monitoring for satellite GPS tracking. These devices, which are relatively inexpensive to install have conex box for sale the potential to boost industry confidence and international cargo shipping profitability as they offer more utility and value to the containers that have them installed. In the next five years, as the devices become and industry standard and customers are given improved tracking information, shipping lines will become more trusted and reliable.

The percentage of containers already equipped with the device is estimated to be 2.5% (as of Dec 2018) but the numbers jump significantly when you narrow the category to reefers compared to dry vans. Experts are estimating 20ft container volumes to triple in the next five years and numbers of the devices to reach in the two million range, which will represent a 6.5% of the entire global fleet by 2023. As the technology is improved the cost will also decrease, which in turn will increase the use and fitment of the devices. Some shipping container and equipment manufactures have made plans to supply new shipping containers with the devices already installed in preparation for the high demand. If you’d like to know more about international shipping or cargo worthy shipping containers reach out to our team for more information. Call now (661) 412-2227.