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DCSA updates container standard to cover IoT and reefer events
The Digital Container Shipping Association has published its third version of the container track and trace standard as the common language the industry uses for information exchange
Rising use of internet of things (IoT) technology and digitally connected reefers has led a container shipping association to update one of its most used standards.
The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has published Track & Trace 3.0.0, an upgrade that extends its coverage to also include IoT and reefer events.
DCSA said this is one of the industry’s most widely adopted standards that goes beyond shipment, transport and equipment visibility, and is a common language the industry uses to describe and exchange container visibility information across the shipment journey.
Track & Trace 3.0.0 will initially be made available to DCSA members and the association’s partners before being released to the public during H2 2027.
Version two of this standard established a shared foundation for shipment, transport and equipment visibility, but did not cover all events and information sources.
Without a common standard, the same shipment event can be described differently by every supply chain party and platform that is linked to it, and depending on who reports it, leading to confusion and misinformation.
DCSA updated to version 3.0.0 after listening to with feedback from carriers, users and technology providers who were calling for upgrades to address the growing need to exchange data from smart containers.
IoT events cover occurrences and conditions detected by connected containers and devices, such as geolocation, geofence crossing and door status.
Reefer events cover measurements and control actions associated with refrigerated containers, including temperature, setpoint adjustments, power status and alarms.
“Track & Trace 2.2.0 is one of DCSA’s most widely used and adopted standards, and version 3.0.0 builds directly on that foundation,” said DCSA head of standards, Iker Echave.
“Extending it to connected containers and refrigerated cargo reflects our broader push to digitalise container shipping end to end, giving the industry a wider, more consistent view of a shipment as it moves.”
Track & Trace 3.0.0 introduces clearer ways to represent changes to shipments and related documents, and improves how corrected or withdrawn events are communicated.
It also supports event exchange through carriers, platforms and other intermediaries, said the DCSA, which added that the standard is relevant to any organisation that produces, consumes or forwards container-shipping visibility events, including carriers, terminals, inland operators, shippers, freight forwarders and IoT or telematics providers.
“Each update to this standard is shaped directly by how organisations are actually using it, so the standard keeps pace with where visibility is heading rather than where it started,” said Mr Echave.
“Organisations currently using Track & Trace 2.2.0 will need to plan and implement a migration to version 3.0.0, as the changes affect both the information exchanged and how it is shared,” he said.
DCSA, which is a neutral, non-profit organisation, has published a migration guide with detailed comparisons, value mappings and implementation guidance.
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