ORBCOMM (ORBC) announced that TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico is currently using the company’s VesselConnect, that enables visibility of refrigerated containers transporting temperature-sensitive, high-value cargo across water, filling the traceability gap on vessels at sea.
As the company explains, the system displays critical data from refrigerated containers, including reefer status, temperature and slot location, on an application aboard the ship, as well as remotely on land, when data is synchronized through the Cloud. Crews can adjust reefer set points and conduct pre-trip inspections right from the application, which reduces manual labor and expedites cargo distribution on land.
The system offers temperature monitoring and record-keeping capabilities, to enable compliance with safety regulations, including the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act and the USDA’s cold treatment guidelines.
In particular, using on-board GSM infrastructure, the system creates a local data transport network on the ship, enabling refrigerated and other containers fitted with GPS/GSM modem devices to continue to report, while the vessel is on the water. The system automatically initiates after passing out of reach of terrestrial GSM networks, such as at the port terminal. VesselConnect can typically be installed in about six hours, so there is no need for ships to spend time out of service.
If an alarm occurs, it will be automatically displayed on the VesselConnect console and directed via SMS to crew phones, so an engineer can be promptly sent to check and resolve any issues. The system also identifies non-performing equipment, so shore-based staff can be alerted in advance that repairs are needed, thereby reducing time out of service, as well as insurance claims.
