With technological developments taking place at an exponential rate, the current times are the era of new technologies making a mark in all areas of life including business. The new-age digital solutions promise the shipping industry underway with a more expeditious approach. The Digital Container Shipping Association(DCSA) and the Container Owners Association(COA) are the two leading non-profits who are trying to introduce the Container Shipment industry to the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. In January 2020, the DCSA introduced the container Track and Trace (T&T) standardization to better navigate through the uncharted digitized territory the Shipping Industry is entering. With tracking systems such as CMA CGM container tracking, the shipping industry is heading towards a digital future.
How is digital transformation revolutionizing container tracking through modern technology?
The shipping industry has its own set of challenges since shipping containers undertake long journeys. Thus, it is necessary to keep a track of the containers. Container tracking becomes extremely important for the shipping industry as 90% of trade still relies on sea transport and thereby containers. The major benefits of technology in such tracking systems include an increase in efficiency and visibility that was lacking in the past as the status of the cargo remained untracked after the shipment left the docks. Tech-enabled systems such as CMA CGM container tracking allow you to track containers with ease and remove mentioned challenges.
Moreover, the integration of the various legs of container transport helps better and faster evaluation of the vast logistical data to create more functional and cost-effective standards of shipping. All top shipping companies are pacing towards building efficient container tracking operations with CMA CGM container tracking systems as a major example.
If we look at the current shipping standards closely, it will give a better idea of how digitization evolves container shipping:
● Increasing operational efficiency
The transportation of empty containers becomes a matter of great concern and cost for the shipping companies. Tracking becomes essential to reduce operational costs. The digital and faster tracking of the voyage can help with newer and more efficient trade routes. Systems such as CMA CGM container tracking are based on the same ideology and are equipped with the best technology to help you track your CMA CGM containers easily.
● Real-time tracking
The use of GPS has already brought about clarity to the voyage status but advanced technology like the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons helps locate and acquire information on cargo. Technology has evolved to form these better and more secure tracking devices to avoid hacking by improving on preceding systems like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC). For example, CMA CGM container tracking systems are enabled with new technology, and you can track your CMA CGM container in real-time.
● Cargo space optimization
With an efficient system in place, shipping companies can observe and optimize space allocation on board and in the warehouse. This can also help them in optimizing cargo volume in minimum turnaround time and number of voyages.
● Efficient functioning of ports
Technology and digitalization can connect port and vessel authorities and stakeholders such as customs officials, consignees, and logistics service providers to maintain a functioning and efficient automated port environment. There is an ease in documentation and inventory management across locations which helps to schedule and chart vessel bookings expeditiously.
● Expand and drive port automation
There exist only forty semi or fully functioning automated ports. However, standardized digitization and real-time tracking systems can help coordinate automated equipment, equipment-control systems, terminal control tower, human-machine interactions, data exchange, and connectivity to establish more efficient automated ports.
● Improve infrastructure
Digitalization provides an incentive to modify the infrastructure of the shipping equipment and the industry. The heat tracking modules for example inside the container can work with container tracking technology to better devise a system to manage and evaluate the conditions of perishable or refrigerated goods that occupy a dominant share of the container shipping trade. Such modern container tracking technology is enabled with the CMA CGM container tracking which works in a similar fashion.
The container shipping industry is not far behind in digitization as compared to other industries. Still grappling with innumerable logistics, data, and information that is yet to be tracked and integrated, the industry has its own challenges. Nonetheless, with a changing attitude towards the role of technology in this space, systems such as CMA CGM container tracking set a precedent for the future model of the shipping industry. The road to complete digital migration might be a long one, but one thing is certain- once they adapt to the modern ways, growth shall be enormous for players in the cargo shipping industry as well their clients across the world.