MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company has launched iReefer, a system that allows customers to track and monitor their temperature-controlled shipments in real time, from anywhere in the world.
The Swiss/Italian line, the world’s largest container carrier, claims iReefer is the most advanced container monitoring system for reefer cargo enabling customer insights into their shipments, including information on position, temperature, humidity and more.
It is available via myMSC, the company’s proprietary e-business platform, or an API (Application Programming Interface) and is offered via three iReefer packages with different features.
The basic package, iReefer Essential, is free of charge and available immediately. It includes an overview of the customer’s current and historic reefer shipments, a container journey log and graphs. iReefer Pro includes all of this, plus unlimited downloads and access to additional data such as container GPS location. For customers shipping high volumes of cargo, iReefer Ultimate connects directly with their system via an API (Application Programming Interface), ensuring seamless data flow, MSC claims. These two premium packages will go live on 1 March 2025.
MSC says it transports more than 1 million reefer containers every year and has one of the world’s most advanced reefer fleets, as well as dedicated teams of 1,000+ reefer experts across the world.
The launch of iReefer marks another milestone in MSC’s ongoing digital journey, to develop digital solutions that streamline the shipping process and deliver real-time insights to support supply chain management, the carrier says. The company’s existing portfolio of digital solutions includes MSC Smart Containers for the remote monitoring of dry cargo.
This global project involved connecting more than 210,000 reefer containers and equipping more than 500 vessels with iReefer technology. The company’s objective is to equip its entire fleet of containers and vessels with the technology in the coming years, said Giuseppe Prudente, Chief Logistics Officer of MSC and President of MEDLOG, said.
“The launch of iReefer reflects the increasing global demand for refrigerated cargo and straightforward digital solutions. It will bring many benefits to customers, including real-time container monitoring and temperature control, enhanced container security, compliance with regulatory requirements, and access to data-driven insights. Connected reefers can also reduce costs by preventing cargo spoilage, damage and insurance claims.
To access real-time insights, customers will first need to log into myMSC, or sign up for an account if they do not have one yet. Upon login, customers can access the iReefer function. The API integration will be released with the iReefer Ultimate package on 1 March 2025.
