Hapag-Lloyd launches dry container tracking product

Hapag-Lloyd has announced the launch of “Live Position”, its first dry container tracking product, deploying pioneering IoT (Internet of Things) technology in logistics on a large scale.

More than two-thirds of the dry container fleets have already been equipped with tracking devices, and installations continue globally to catch the last boxes during the summer. The tracking devices were supplied by Nexxiot and ORBCOMM. They are solar-powered, have an expected battery life of at least 10 years and feature internal sensors and GPS that allow information to be transmitted on ‘shock events’ and ambient temperature. The devices are also explosion-proof according to established standards ensuring safety for crews, cargo, and vessels.

Key features of the initial basic product “Live Position” include a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use search functionality by container, booking number, or in batches.

The tool provides customers with a quick overview of their shipment’s current location, allowing them to make any necessary adjustments in real-time.

“The ‘Live Position’ product will contribute to our service quality and increase the ease of doing business with us,” says Hapag-Lloyd COO Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf. “It does close the blind spots of global logistics, enabling real-time decision-making and risk mitigation for our customers, while allowing a more efficient steering of our fleet of boxes.”

Henrik Schilling, Head of Global Commercial Development, adds: “The participants of our successful pilot phase have already acknowledged that we are going the extra mile to eliminate one of their greatest concerns. Now we would like to take all our customers on this journey to further develop this product. We are currently working on feeding the tracking data into the customers’ operational systems via API. Another milestone for advancing the product will be the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) Prediction.”