Most reputable shipping lines provide container
tracking tools, track and trace, through their own websites. Containers are not
yet tracked electronically (implanting micro-chip transmitters is still too
expensive) but every move is notified and recorded in the tracking system,
making up-to-date information available. As individual carriers traditionally
work with proprietary computer systems and programs for such services, receivers
have to contact each carrier individually, which is cumbersome. However,
shipping portals are increasingly standardizing the way shippers, receivers and
clearing agents interact with carriers, by providing access through a single
platform. Other service tools will include sailing schedules, container
bookings, bill of lading information and event notifications. Large
shippers/receivers can have direct (authorised) access to such portals and may
for example operate entirely with electronic information, including bills of
lading. Smaller or occasional shippers/receivers mostly still rely on hard copy
(printed) bills of lading but the portal can arrange to print the document at
the most appropriate location. This saves time and minimizes the risk of mail
being lost.
Eventually,
such portals will also interact with both e-commerce and paperless trading
systems. For more on this go to www.inttra.com
Depending on their sophistication modern container
seals, unlike RFID devices *, can record and transmit all actions that might
occur during a voyage, particularly also the opening/closing of container doors.
They are read by scanning, some at distance using RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification), and are useful tools for keeping track of cargo and
facilitating cross-border trade, for example by reducing customs formalities in
Europe. But security concerns are also placing electronic seals in the forefront
of anti-terrorism activities. Until fairly recently a container load of simple
food items like bottled water, flour or sugar did not pose any major security
risk as theft was unlikely. But today there is a real risk of terrorist action
(contamination, poisoning…) and also low value food cargo requires high levels
of security.
The Smart Container pilot project by US Customs
represents another potential approach but, whichever direction is taken,
electronic seals or smart containers, one or both will become an integral part
of coffee logistics. Although the cost of active (able to report) electronic
seals is coming down and re-usable ones are increasingly available, cost still
remains an obstacle, not least because of the massive number of container
shipments that take place daily.
* RFID or Radio Frequency Identification devices are
very small chips linked to a tiny antenna. The chip contains an identity number
which it broadcasts when activated by a radio signal.