Next step could be blockchain technology for shipping and logistics
Korean shipping firm Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) is trialling the use of internet of things (IoT) technology for its refrigerated containers to better monitor temperature-sensitive products during delivery.
The shipping company announced that IoT technology will be tested in ten refrigerated containers until October, when the company will decide whether to expand the IoT-based monitoring to all of its containers based on big data analysis of the test results.
Through the implementation of IoT, HMM aims to cut operational costs and improve the quality of the refrigerating service.
Without sensors, the ship’s crew has to monitor the temperature of refrigerated containers every 12 hours and report the results to cargo owners. IoT technology is expected to make that process a lot faster and more convenient as the shipping company can monitor and control temperatures in containers via computers in real-time.
“As it is most important for refrigerated containers to maintain a certain temperature while passing through hot or cold regions on the way to the final destination, the application of IoT technology will upgrade the quality of our logistics service,” a spokesperson from Hyundai Merchant Marine said.
The Korean shipping company has already been participating in a local consortium comprised of IT service companies and government organizations to discuss applying blockchain technology to shipping and logistics. The consortium established in June consists of IT service companies such as Samsung SDS and IBM Korea as well as the Korea Customs Service and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
While data related to logistics is currently recorded and saved in central databases, blockchain technology would allow everything from production to storage and shipping to be recorded in detail, allowing all companies involved in fulfillment chain to access shared information in real time, HMM said.
Image source: HMM
