Yantian terminal tests secure container program
Yantian International Container Terminals, a South China terminal operator majority-owned by Hutchison Port Holdings, has completed tests of secure containers under the Smart and Secure Tradelanes initiative, a program to track the movement and integrity of containers using electronic container seals.
On Friday (Oct. 31), the first batch of “smart and secure” containers entered Yantian International Container Terminals after having passed inspection procedures. The terminal operator said that this marked the successful completion of testing at its facilities.
Kenneth Tse, director and general manager of the Chinese terminal, said that the initiative has helped secure an important link in the global supply chain. “Equally important, by providing shippers and shipping lines with real-time information about container movement, the Smart and Secure Tradelanes has increased the clearance efficiency for U.S.-destined cargo,” he said.
Yantian International Container Terminals has set up a computer network infrastructure and installed radio-frequency sensors throughout the terminal to support the security program. By February 2004, the terminal operator plans to upgrade a related computer system to commence a commercial run of the security program.
The ports of Seattle, Hong Kong, Rotterdam, Felixstowe and others also participate in the Smart and Secure Tradelanes program, which is backed by Hutchison, PSA Corp. and P&O Ports, three of the largest international port groups.