The shipping industry accounts for more than 90% of the goods transportation worldwide. They are responsible for the safe and secure transportation of goods from one point to another. But sometimes, shipping containers turn out to be damaged. They also get lost in the mid-way or get stolen. Due to this, it is evident that we invest our money and thought towards a more secure strategy to facilitate easy and safe transportation. 

This is where we introduce ‘Smart Container”.

What is a Smart Container?

Smart containers are nothing but the technological upgrade of shipping containers. They are just like the standard shipping containers but with advanced internet technology and sensors, equipping the supply chain with proper management of containers from point A to point B.

The Internet of Things is a feature of smart containers that enables real-time data access at any time. For example, they can help find lost containers, stolen containers, or those en route to different destinations through sensors. To provide customers with up-to-date tracking, forecast the time of arrival at ports, and schedule the most efficient unloading of containers and their distribution to the following stage in the supply chain, the information collected by sensors is automatically transmitted to a digital shipment database.

Why should industries start using smart containers?

We may conclude from the last few years that the shipping business is getting digitalized. It is now moving towards the technological enhancement necessary to keep the goods safe. The supply chain industry works on a series of steps, from packaging to delivering the goods. These steps have manual dependencies, prone to errors, leading to wrong item delivery, lost cargoes, misplacement of goods and even late deliveries. 

The manual errors and sometimes environmental conditions like heavy rain, storm or extreme heat can damage the goods carried by containers. The consignee, sometimes, might not be aware of the route conditions after the products have been loaded because they could change over time.

Therefore, the shipping industry should incorporate smart containers into their business. Smart containers provide detailed information on the routes, weather conditions, temperature inside and outside of the container, and sudden accidents and are also networked with satellites to transmit real-time data. They have a unique security feature which saves the containers from theft. 

Companies face a huge loss when the containers get damaged. Millions of goods such as food, beverages, and medicines which require a specific temperature, get spoilt in the transportation process. Hence, it is time to switch to smart containers which can be tracked, controlled remotely and even altered.

How are smart containers different from standard containers?

Smart containers are the budding technology in the market, equipping first-hand knowledge of the items, their type, volume, weight, and other vital information. They can help track information like the location of the containers, the route taken, activities happening inside the container, and the opening and closing of the doors. 

Standard shipping containers, on the other hand, are like free birds. They only communicate at the start and end of the journey. What happens in between the journey is a mystery. Unfortunately, this is where most blunders occur; therefore, managing the most delicate details of shipping containers becomes crucial. 

Smart containers have sensors that enable connectivity and the Internet of Things, which communicates with shipping firms. It eliminates paperwork and human dependence and is a more practical and safer approach for maritime transportation.

Transportation of goods is subjected to theft and damages; therefore, securing containers cutting-edge technologies become essential. Smart container solves many problems related to container security, location, route taken and temperature maintenance. 

LOTUS Containers is a leading shipping container industry that provides personalised sotions for all maritime concerns. The upcoming articles will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating smart containers in a business. Till then, stay tuned.