South Korean feeder operator Namsung Shipping this week launched an Internet of Things-based service to monitor and track refrigerated containers.
Namsung will offer the service in the basic and premium categories.
The basic service enables shippers to check the movement of reefers and is targeted at customers with refrigerated cargoes passing through China and Indonesia, due to the vast hinterland in the former and the many islands in the latter.
The premium service allows shippers to check the reefer temperature in real time. Shippers who depend on cold chain logistics, such as pharmaceutical companies, are expected to become major customers as quick action can be taken before problems arise.
Namsung’s representative said that this is the first IoT-based project implemented by a South Korean shipping company, with the support of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation. The company is also understood to have pioneered the first IoT-based commercial shipping service.
The IoT equipment is provided by compatriot logistics solution specialist Swinnus, while the real-time monitoring is also facilitated by Swinnus.
Namsung Shipping, in partnership with Orbcomm, is considering plans to expand their shipper services to include dry containers in the future.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
