DB Schenker: leader in sensor technology for ocean freight

Real-time shipment tracking plus transmission of key data boosts transparency of global transport chains and reduces logistics costs

Essen - DB Schenker is expanding its range of innovative services in monitoring shipments in international freight forwarding. The DB SCHENKERsmartbox service offers satellite-aided shipment tracking in real time using sensor technology. This new solution transmits a shipment’s current GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates and any deviations from the predetermined route as well as providing information on additional security parameters such as temperature, vibrations, activity at the container door and light inside the container.

“Our product is the only one of its kind on the market, has proven effective in practice and is in use on all of the world’s main trade lanes. DB SCHENKERsmartbox offers more than just shipment tracking in real time,” underscores Christopher Regenhardt, Corporate Manager, DB SCHENKERsmartbox. “The additional data it delivers is of great value to everyone involved. Increased transparency creates the potential to optimize planning of complex transport chains and reduce transit time, which is of key importance for especially valuable shipments. In addition, our solution can help to directly lower costs such as insurance premiums.” As the world’s third-largest provider of global ocean-freight forwarding, DB Schenker is cooperating with a network of selected carriers, technology experts and insurance companies on this service.

GPS technology has already been used to successfully monitor several hundred ocean-freight containers on routes between Asia, Europe and America. As part of the launch of various customer projects in the area of high-quality goods, a special product management team has been created to oversee the service, advise customers and promote continual further development. Cooperation with insurance companies also got off to a successful start, in particular in monitoring containers transporting especially valuable items.