Nov/Dec 2004

In a further sign of convergence between asset-tracking for business and tracking for security purposes, a global container-tracking project has moved into its second field trial. This involves tracking containers transporting meat products from Namibia, south-west Africa to the port of Tilbury in the UK. Users will be able to see the location and other information about the containers through a Web portal, along with information about their status.

The project has been spawned by the international Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) scheme, and sees the launch of a new phase know as SST for Africa. SST started life under the US-based Strategic Council on Security Technology, and Savi Technologies has played a major role in developing the underlying technology.

This latest phase has been mounted jointly by the US Trade and Development Agency, the World Customs Organization, SIMTAG (a consortium 50 per cent funded by the European Union), South African Port Operations, the Namibian Port Authority and MEATCO.

The new trial reflects cooperation between SIMTAG and Savi, which produces a range of tracking solutions based on RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for both civilian and defence uses.

 

SIMTAG's Internet portal provides access to Web-based services through a journey identification and registration mechanism. Savi feeds in the status information, which is obtained from data updates generated whenever a tagged container passes through the infrastructure along the journey corridor (for instance, ports and depots).

According to Susan Evans, Savi's business development director, the project "proves that genuine advances have been made that are robust, reliable and add practical business value." She adds: "Security, safety and business efficiency are entirely compatible."

SIMTAG stands for "safe intermodal transport across the globe". The consortium has members from a variety of fields, including BP, Dekkra, Crompton, Isotank and Tri-Mex, as well as ERTICO, the European non-profit organisation specialising in intelligent transport systems.

• Denmark's Ministry of Defence has contracted Savi Technology to deploy a software platform linked with RFID technologies for tracking and managing supply chain shipments in real time. The solution will be interoperable with RFID-driven networks already developed by Savi for NATO's Afghanistan Supply Chain, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense.