Hapag-Lloyd has launched a pilot programme with WiseTech Global to integrate real-time Internet of Things (IoT) data from smart containers into its global supply chain management systems.
The initiative involves Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet of 2 million containers, which are being used to test the ingestion and processing of millions of location data points daily.
By equipping its entire dry container fleet with tracking devices, the shipping company aims to move beyond standard milestone updates to provide continuous visibility on container positioning, transit conditions, and arrival predictions.
Central to the trial is the introduction of Live ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), a tool that adjusts predictions in real time based on actual movement and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
Hapag-Lloyd reports that, for shipments where it manages the entire journey from port to the final customer location, this technology can improve delivery time accuracy by 75% compared to traditional static schedule predictions.
“We’ve invested in equipping our entire dry container fleet with IoT technology to provide better service and reliability to our customers,” said Karsten Schmidt, Director Live Position & Track & Trace at Hapag-Lloyd.
“Working with WiseTech, we can integrate the data from our smart containers into the systems our customers use every day, providing actionable predictive insights rather than just dots on a map.”
“This partnership represents an important step toward a more transparent, resilient and digitally enabled global supply chain.”
The tracking data will be distributed via various channels, including the CargoWise platform, with future plans to include the GLO, INTTRA, and Neo systems. The companies note that they plan to refine the quality and accuracy of the live feeds over the course of the trial as the system moves towards full-scale commercial use.
