Savannah and Shanghai ports to test container tracking

Last October I posted on Schenkers utilizing RFID chips to track the movement of ocean containers between China and Germany. Now the Georgia Ports Authority and the Shanghai International Port Group will begin testing a new “E-tag” system; a new technology that will allow them to track containers electronically as they are shipped internationally.

Via Gaports.com:

The GPA has had a partnership with SIPG, the world’s second largest port, since 2004. This partnership includes cooperation on operations, marketing, and information technology. Recently the two ports developed a demonstration project equipping RFID tags, or “E-Tags,” on the container boxes of ships sailing from Shanghai to Savannah. Since March 2008, weekly sailings have had about 150 tags per vessel from Shanghai to Savannah. Recently, the GPA has begun sending containers with E-tags from Savannah to Shanghai, making it a two-way operation.

According to the press release, the “E-tag” system will “improve the flow of trade and security through better technology”.

“The threat against terrorism, stowaways and food contamination has made real-time container monitoring throughout the logistics chain an immediate necessity,” said SIPG’s Vice-President Bao Qifan. “China is the first to mobilize resources such as ports, shipping companies, cargo owners and the Customs and put the technology into use on a commercial shipping line.”