APL satellite technology tracks box temperatures worldwide

SINGAPORE's Neptune Orient Lines' (NOL) container unit APL has announced a satellite tracking service that monitors temperatures and humidity of refrigerated containers worldwide.

The system uses the low orbit Iridium satellite and APL proprietary software to ensure signal integrity even when containers are closely stacked, said a company statement.

Called SMARTemp, the system provides real-time data on reefer containers from origin to destination, said an APL statement, adding that customers can retrieve real-time data via APL's www.apl.com/homeport/

The system allows users to select the frequency of data reports. Information is accessed by bill of lading or container number, either via on-screen table formats or Excel spreadsheet. Retrievable data is archived for two months.

"It can eliminate costly and time-consuming post-voyage cargo validation, essential to ensure sensitive high-value products such as pharmaceuticals are fit for market," the APL statement said.

The system, billed as an industry first, was developed and tested by APL over two years. It can be installed simply and cost effectively, he added, without the need for shippers to make additional investments, said APL president Eng Aik Meng.

"It offers unrivalled time, cost and quality advantages to shippers of products which have zero tolerance for supply chain downtime," said Mr Eng.

The APL SMARTemp communication module decodes data from a microprocessor controller fixed to the cargo container, which records temperature and humidity levels and transmits this via satellite to APL's central server.
(Source:www.schednet.com)