Every day, millions of goods are transported from country to country, and according to the observations of the logistics company Dragon Logistics, the largest number of shipments comes from China, which is currently perhaps the largest supplier of products to the European and American markets. A significant number of goods are transported in special cargo containers that travel by sea, land, and sometimes by air.
Modern digital technologies help to track where a container is at any given time, making control fast, accurate, and convenient. This is important for both transportation companies and businesses.
GPS navigation: the eyes of all transport
One of the main technologies that allows you to track containers is GPS. This system allows you to see live, at the moment, where exactly a vehicle with cargo is located, be it a ship, a truck, or a train. GPS trackers can be installed directly on the container or on the vehicle transporting it.
This allows not only to see the route, but also to predict the arrival time. For example, if the ship is caught in a storm, or the truck is stuck in traffic, the system will show the delay. Thanks to this, recipients can better plan time and resources.
Satellite communication and IoT
In some cases, containers are equipped with special devices that are connected to satellite communication or the Internet of Things (IoT) network. Such devices transmit not only coordinates, but also additional information:
- the temperature inside the container;
- the humidity level, record;
- whether there were impacts or sudden changes in the position of the cargo;
- whether the container door was opened.
The presence of such technology is especially important for goods that require special transportation conditions (medicines, food, electronics). If the system detects a violation of storage conditions. It immediately sends a notification. This way, you can react instantly and reduce final costs.
Blockchain: data security and transparency
Another important technology is blockchain. It allows you to store information about the movement of a container in a reliable and immutable way. All actions that occur with the cargo – loading, shipping, change of owner, customs clearance and others – are recorded in a digital register, and none of the parties can change this data without the consent of the others.
This technology helps prevent fraud, document forgery and cargo theft. In addition, all participants in the logistics chain can see the same information, which simplifies cooperation.
Mobile applications and cloud platforms
Thanks to cloud technologies, all data about containers is stored on special online platforms. Access is available from:
- computer;
- tablet;
- smartphone.
This is very convenient for companies operating in different countries and time zones. Managers can see all logistics in one window, get information about where the container is now, when it passed the last point, what its next stop is, whether there are any delays. This allows you to make decisions and plan faster.
Mobile applications, in turn, make it possible to quickly receive notifications about changes, monitor the status of the cargo and even automatically generate reports.
Artificial intelligence and analytics
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and analytical systems is another important innovation. These technologies help not only track containers, but also predict future events. For example, the system can warn in advance about a possible delay due to weather conditions or port congestion.
Artificial intelligence is able to analyze large amounts of data – from GPS, customs, warehouses, transport companies and provide useful advice. It can suggest changing the route or departure time to avoid traffic jams or overloading. This allows you to make delivery more accurate, fast and economical.
Autonomous systems and drones
Some ports or large logistics centers already use drones to inspect containers or read information from them. The use of such devices saves time and human resources. For example, instead of an employee climbing a high stack of containers, a drone will inspect them in a few minutes and transmit all the necessary information to the system.
Regarding the development of logistics of the future, it is worth noting such innovative solutions as unmanned trucks and trains that can transport containers without the participation of a driver. Such innovations are just beginning their development, but are also considered quite promising.
Modern technologies are significantly changing the approach to international logistics. Today, container tracking is not just a convenience, but a necessity for effective work, as experts from the logistics company Dragon Logistics, which has extensive experience in using modern technologies during international transportation, are convinced of. Thanks to GPS, satellite communications, cloud platforms and other solutions, you can see a complete picture of cargo movement online, monitor the quality of transportation and predict risks.