Hapag-Lloyd launches IoT container tracking trial  

The container shipping line has teamed up with a developer of supply chain technology solutions, WiseTech Global, to equip its fleet of 2M containers with IoT devices that frequently transmit location updates to WiseTech’s ecosystem of platforms for the logistics, global trade and supply chain industry.

A statement explains that this pilot is testing the ability to ingest and process millions of data points daily, applying advanced algorithms to transform the IoT data into meaningful milestones and products used to drive decision-making. WiseTech can then distribute the location and positioning data to Hapag-Lloyd’s customers via a range of channels such as the CargoWise Cargo Tracker and Container Automation solutions. More distribution channels are planned, including via GLO, INTTRA and Neo.

The companies added in their statement, “The collaboration aims to provide highly accurate, real-time insights on container positioning, transit conditions, and arrival predictions. Hapag-Lloyd’s customers will not only see where a container is, but also detect anomalies such as deviations or delays that might impact its arrival at the next critical handover point, delivering unprecedented accuracy for data-driven planning and execution.”

In addition, Hapag Lloyd delivers the shipping industry’s first dynamic estimated time of arrival prediction – Live ETA – that adjusts in real time based on actual movement and location data collected via IoT pings from GPS tracking devices on the containers, regardless of the mode of transport, to provide dynamic arrival time calculations. For shipments where Hapag-Lloyd manages the entire journey from port to customer location, this tool improves delivery time accuracy by 75% compared with traditional static schedule predictions.

WiseTech Global chief executive Zubin Appoo said, “By bringing IoT-driven live container data and tracking into CargoWise, we’re revolutionising supply chain visibility.

This collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd harnesses data at a significant scale to turn it into intelligence that customers can act on, to reduce uncertainty, improve efficiency, and make smarter decisions.”

Hapag-Lloyd director, live position and track and trace, Karsten Schmidt said, “We’ve invested in equipping our entire dry container fleet with IoT technology to provide better service and reliability to our customers. 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.”

As the trial progresses, both companies will review and refine the data quality, accuracy, and usability of live IoT feeds at full scale, while gathering feedback from joint customers to inform further product development and commercialisation. The goal is to deliver a “unique, value-added ocean container visibility solution that integrates seamlessly” into WiseTech’s platforms.