PORTS, SHIPPERS SEND FIRST 100 “ELECTRONICALLY SECURED” CONTAINERS

PORTS, SHIPPERS SEND FIRST 100 “ELECTRONICALLY SECURED” CONTAINERS

PORTS, SHIPPERS SEND FIRST 100 “ELECTRONICALLY SECURED” CONTAINERS

   The ports of Hong Kong, Singapore, Seattle, Los Angeles and Long Beach and several shippers, carriers and other companies have shipped the first 100 containers under the joint “Smart and Secure Tradelanes” initiative.
   Hutchison Port Holdings, the Hong Kong-based port group that backs the initiative, said that Smart and Secure Tradelanes partners have shipped more than 100 40-foot containers over the past month. The containers were equipped with electronic seals that detect security breaches and instantly communicate their status and location over radio frequencies to a web-based software security network. The containers carried automotive parts, electronic equipment, toys and other consumer product goods across the Pacific.
   Described as a public/private maritime security initiative, the program is backed by three of the largest port groups (Hutchison, PSA Corp. and P&O Ports), as well as by other companies such as Target Corp., transportation service providers and information technology firms. The Smart and Secure Tradelanes initiative was announced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) last summer.
   Hutchison said that it managed a recent “electronically secured” shipment of 10 container loads of store merchandise on behalf of a major U.S.-based retailer. The shipment involved Savi Technology, Maersk Logistics and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, among others. Savi Technology provided radio frequency identification hardware such as container seals and readers, as well as software.
   “As one of the nation’s primary gateways for international trade, we think this technology represents a major step in securing the supply chain from factory door to the showroom floor,” said Mic Dinsmore, chief executive officer of the port of Seattle, a partner in the security initiative.
   The process of securing the containers electronically involves placing electronic seals at their point of origin, recording the sealing event with an automated handheld device (which enabled authorized personnel to capture and verify shipment information), monitoring the location and status of containers before loading on the ship and after discharge, and at arrival at the distribution center in the country of destination. Authorized personnel then unlock the electronic seal using an encrypted code.
   Hutchison said that RFID readers in the port of discharge in the United States enable the shipments to be verified and certified in near real-time by U.S. authorities.