Maersk Line, the largest company in container shipping, has uploaded the technical details of its entire container fleet to BoxTech’s database.
Data on more than 7.5 million shipping containers, approximately 30% of the global container fleet, is now held by the non-profit BoxTech Technical Characteristics Database, provided by the Bureau International des Containers (BIC).
Launched in July 2016, the system has helped hundreds of shippers, forwarders, terminals, and other parties to digitalize more of their operations, with more than 1000 total users obtaining container weights and sizes.
The automated system plans to add status and recovery alerts to compliment the sharing of container information between different parties throughout the supply chain, increasing efficiency and reducing manual tasks.
Dr Nicolas Jaccard, and Thomas Rogers, Visulytix, recently wrote about how we could use automated intelligence to search for contraband, threats, and fraud in cargo containers in the 'Automated Inspection by AI' technical paper.
Ingrid Uppelschoten-Snelderwaard, Head of Equipment at Maersk Line, said: “We strive to simplify and create transparency across our customers’ entire supply chains.
“This digital platform provides our customers ease in complying with industry regulation. In turn, access to precise data on the weight of the loaded container will support our drive towards increased fleet safety.”
Douglas Owen, Secretary General of the BIC, commented: “We’re delighted that Maersk Line has uploaded their fleet in support of BoxTech and we are confident that their customers and trading partners will be equally pleased.
“The enhanced visibility and automated data access improves safety and security, and also means efficiency gains and cost savings right through the supply chain.”
“With two of the top three global carriers, and two of the top four leasing companies now having loaded their fleets in BoxTech, shippers are beginning to experience just how beneficial such a database can be.
“More fleets are being added all the time, and the closer we get to the entire global fleet, the more the industry benefits from BoxTech.”
