HAPAG-LLOYD is claiming a global first for container lines with the launch of full, on-demand, door-to-door visibility of dry container shipments.
The ‘Live Position’ service uses IoT (internet of things) technology to provide a smart container tool the carrier says closes the “blind spots” of global logistics for the first time.
“Customers can now enjoy full transparency on the location of their shipments – from the start of transportation until the arrival at the destination,” the line says. “By being the first container shipping line to introduce a fleet-wide dry container tracking product, Hapag-Lloyd is demonstrating its commitment to deploying pioneering IoT technology in logistics on a large scale.”
The company said more than two thirds of its dry container fleets have already been equipped with tracking devices. Installations continue globally to catch the last boxes during the northern summer.
“The “Live Position” product will contribute to our service quality and increase the ease of doing business with us,” COO Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf said. “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, said participants in the successful pilot phase had 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.”
Hapag-Lloyd says key features of the initial basic Live Position product 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. Every dataset is available for download in PDF and CSV formats for offline utilization and integration into reports.
“Together with you and your feedback, we aim to revolutionize tracking with further improvements to Live Position in the coming months,” the line said.
