22 April 2009

A Singapore-based company has developed a ground-breaking container tracking solution, with the support of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund or MINT Fund.

Called G-Track, the tracking device is designed to improve the visibility and security of high-value perishable cargo requiring cold chain logistics. Complete with GPS, GPRS, GSM, Zig-bee modules, a RFID reader and temperature sensor, the device assures security as well as proper product temperature throughout the entire transport chain, from packing to delivery.

"With the Global-I inter-modal solution, carriers and logistics providers can offer value-added services to shippers and consignees," says Global-I director Mr James Wong. "These providers now have the technical ability to link with shipping lines for real-time status, generate web-based export documentation, and provide electronic tracking. Extending beyond the ship's platform, the Global-I solution can automate the necessary but previously manual tasks of capturing data as well as tracking and locating containers in terminals, which are spread across large acres of land."

The container security market is still in its infancy, but various governments worldwide have been driving for better monitoring, including a full end-to-end inter-modal container tracking solution, seamlessly over land and at sea. Containers need to be secured to prevent theft and pilferage, and also to prevent them from being used by terrorists to transport weapons of mass destruction.

With the continued globalisation of the world food supply, it is also important to have an unbroken cold chain to provide an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities at a given temperature range. This is used to extend as well as help ensure the shelf life of products such as chemicals, foods and drugs, which is vital in the face of rising prices, an increasing population, and global climate changes.

Global-I Pte Ltd has successfully piloted the continuous Land-Sea-Land tracking and monitoring of several reefers from Singapore to China's SheKou. With funding support by MPA's MINT Fund, this pilot project took place over four days, involving a cargo ship and several reefers sponsored by Pacific International Lines (PIL).

Set up to promote and encourage locally-developed maritime technologies, the MINT Fund supports Singaporean companies undertaking maritime-related R&D, using Singapore's port and maritime facilities as test-beds and trials.

Under the MINT Fund, the PIL reefers were fitted with G-Track, enabling them to report the temperature and humidity within the vessels, and send an exception report to the Control and Monitoring Ground Station whenever an RFID eSeal was tampered with, or the temperature went out of its specified operating range.

The Zig-bee mesh network set up on the ship consolidated all data, which was transmitted at pre-fixed intervals via an Iridium satellite to the Control and Monitoring Ground Station. This saved manpower while ensuring reliable, accurate and timely reports.

"MPA supports and encourages the development and adoption of innovative technologies to enhance the security of cargoes and operational processes in the port and shipping sector, improving customer service for the shipping lines," says MPA technology director Mr Toh Ah Cheong. "MPA will continue to partner the industry, as well as the various maritime stakeholders, to carry out more R&D and test-bedding projects to develop solutions that will benefit the global maritime industry."

So that industry leaders, practitioners and researchers from different parts of the world may gather to network and discuss recent R&D advances in maritime logistics, supply chain systems and related disciplines, MPA, together with the National University of Singapore, is organising the International Symposium on Maritime Logistics & Supply Chain Systems held on 23-24 April at Riverview Hotel, as part of Singapore Maritime Week 2009.

<End of Release>

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, grow the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

About Global-I Pte Ltd
Global-I Pte Ltd offers an end-to-end 24x7 intermodal reefer tracking and monitoring solution across land-sea-land employing the latest technologies of GPS/GSM/GPRS/ZIGBEE/RFID/IRIDIUM satellite seamlessly integrated into a tested and proven solution. Various sensors, such as gas, pressure, light, radioactivity and etc can be employed in an ala-cart menu option to suit different needs for different customers and types of goods. Global-I has been in the Telematics business for many years and has the capabilities to offer solutions to different requirements for container and fleet visibilities throughout the supply chain.

About Pacific International Lines
Pacific International Lines (PIL) incorporated in 1967 has developed from a coastal ship-owner/operator in Singapore to become one of the largest shipowners in Asia. Today, it is ranked 19th amongst the top containership operators in the world. PIL has diversified into logistics related activities such as supply chain management, consolidation/distribution facilities, warehousing, container depot operations, trucking as well as having interest in ship-agencies worldwide, container manufacturing, marine engineering and real estate.
As of April 2009, PIL owns and operates a fleet of 102 vessels with a total TEU capacity of about 182,796 TEUs. 18 new container vessels with a total capacity of 63,038 TEUs will be delivered by September 2011. PIL also owns and operates a fleet of more than 352,945 TEUs of marine containers.