Container Tracking Initiative - Research Paper Example

Container Tracking Initiative The post 9/11 world is a very different world where the most devastating terrorist attack has changed every single aspect of it. In the same way, the transport authorities are also exposed to a number of challenges which include the theft of the goods and services, truck driver attacks, transporting the illegal and dangerous or unauthorized merchandise. Apart from these crime related activities, today’s world is exposed to possible terrorist attacks, where the transport vehicles and the infrastructure can become the possible victims of the terrorist activities. There are several threats which have been cited by authorities or have come at an international platform as being extremely important, and one of the most important threats is on the shipping container transport systems. The terrorist attacks which took place on the date of September 11, 2001, in New York and Washington urged the world to take possible steps to ensure that the container transport systems were more secure. The United States took initiatives to ensure that national and bilateral initiatives are taken to protect the container shipping systems. Apart from that, other international organizations such as ILO, WCO, EU, and ASEAN have also taken proper steps so that the container security issues can be addressed properly. Measures Taken for Container Tracking Some of the measures that have been introduced after the 9/11 terrorist attack include: measures seeking to scan or otherwise physically confirm the contents of the container; measures seeking to ensure the physical integrity of the container; measures aimed at ensuring the security of the container environment as it moves and is handled in container transport chain; measures seeking to trace and track the container in the supply chain; measures centered on the provision and the use of information related to the shipment. (Container Transport Security across Modes) It is apparent from the fact that if the authorities are concerned about the possible misuses of containers by external forces, then they should ensure they can track containers across the chain of transportation. The reason behind it is that the risky containers can be immediately stopped and inspected, and the containers which have gone missing can also be located and found. There are two ways in which the containers can be tracked and the data can be updated in the systems. The first method is to record the passage of the containers through the help of the ‘chokepoints’, and later the recorded data is updated on the data systems. Under this method, the choke points are recorded on the data bases systems either manually, semi automatically, or automatically. The other broad way of doing that is to use a satellite based system which provides the real time data location information of the container. Under this tracking method, the strategy can either be a continuous form or can be in real time; when a person has to determine the tracking information method, then particular regard has to be given to the geographic scope of the tracking (Container Transport Security Across Modes). In the case of relatively small areas (such as in a container terminal), real time tracking can be accomplished via the combination of RFID tags and readers. However, real time tracking throughout the supply chain necessarily requires some form of satellite positioning systems and a related transponder. Currently, satellite tracking is accomplished through civilian use of the US military Global Positioning System (GPS). (Container Transport Security Across Modes) Container Tracking Approaches and Techniques There are various ways to track containers and appropriately record positions: Pencil and paper or the manual methods; Computer programs such as Microsoft Excel; Resource Planning Systems; Accounting Systems; Tracking software; Configurable tracking system. There is a little misconception in today’s world of technology – people believe that everything is accomplished through computers, so the tracking information is also restricted to the computerized methods. However, provided the simpler situations, the tracking becomes much easier with the help of a pencil and a paper. There are some for whom the manual method works fine, and hence they adopt the recording methods with mere paper and pen. Then there are those who utilize the perfect substitute to the pen and paper method and sue computer programs such as the Microsoft Excel or database systems where the tracking information is recorded, kept, maintained, and updated. The container movements are recorded using this method when the situations given are again slow and static. There are large organizations out there who utilize the MRP, ERP, and other accounting planning systems which include the management distribution tools. They come in handy when the organizations have to do resource planning or accounting. Tracking the container falls under the category of asset tracking, and the objective of introducing the tracking system is to not only ensure the safety and the security of the containers but at the same time ensure that the operational efficiency is ensured. As mentioned above, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2011 , the tracking and the monitoring of the shipment containers has received some more attention, and there were many entities who saw a growing opportunity in this particular area of the market, so they focused on the projects of tracking the containers. However, back then, the technology and the market were not established to such extent that the tracking shipments could not be prospered. However, thanks to the mobile and satellite networks, the online connectivity and the tracking of shipments could be provided easily where the cost effective methods were introduced that involved using the mobile computing and sensor technology. When all these elements are coupled, the result is a supply chain management that is effective and security management system, which strongly connects the containers and the IT systems of the enterprises. “Intermodal shipping containers are standardized, reusable containers used in intermodal transport systems worldwide. Maritime transportation and the increased containerization of goods are key enablers to make the global supply chain work efficiently. Today, more than 80 percent of international trade goods are carried by sea. At the end of 2011, there were approximately 20 million cargo containers worldwide, the equivalent of 30 million TEUs.” In the long run, although it seems more desirable to develop a chokepoint that can be used globally, it is still beneficial to optimize the shippers with their own tracking numbers so that some of the authorized government agencies can access the data whenever they desire. “In this context the notion of creating the joint carrier industry and government cargo tracking centers such as those pioneered by The United State Transportation Security Administration should be examined” (Container Transport Security Across Modes). The issue of timing is one of the most vital and important questions related to the container tracking. The question is if the present container tracking system is efficient enough to efficiently and timely react to threats. Instead of focusing heavily on the real time, the shippers should rather focus on the right time deliveries. There might be several situations where the real time data seems more valid in use; however, there may be other situations where the choke point tracking systems can be more appropriate in usage. “Finally countries should fully assess whether real time tracking systems based on GNSS technology are sufficiently robust at this stage for security sensitive operations such as container tracking” (Container Transport Security Across Modes). Future of Container Tracking As far as the question of the future of the container tracking is concerned, the adoption of this technology will continue to rise because of the growing concerns of the entities worldwide of various security measures. “Moreover, accurate container tracking has gained more demand because important business decisions rely on the accurate tracking methods and monitoring; hence container tracking importance is rising at the same time. The container tracking methods does not let the entity know of the exact location of the container but at the same time helps in knowing that what the areas where the costs can be decreased are highlighted as well.” (Zhong) There are several approaches discussed by Zhong Ning in his edition of Web Intelligence for tracking the containers which have been listed below: 1. Leased lines and direct line communication between computers; 2. Low orbiting satellites; 3. Mobile telecommunications; 4. Radio Tagging; 5. Internet (Zhong). “Every year, there are about 6 billion tons of goods which are transported in over 12 million containers across the world. In United States alone, 17000 containers are uploaded everyday” (Vasseur and Dunkels). Container tracking is not only about following the locations which have been passed and cleared by the container; it is important because the integrity of the container has to be maintained as well. So, in case there is any breach of security, the shipping company can be informed immediately and the shipment can be stopped or investigated in an instant. Previously, the container tracking was used with the help of the bar codes implementation, but now GE Commerce Guard System, along with IBM Secure Trade lane System, has been introduced as well. Funding the Container Tracking The container tracking systems financing is not the responsibility of just one entity; it has to combine effort of the shipper, receiver, consumer, or the government to bear the costs. Governments have to realize the growing importance of the container tracking; on the other hand, the other entities have to constantly invest in the ever changing technology and the methods of shipment tracking. After 9/11, container tracking systems have come a long way and many initiatives have been taken to make the container shipments more secure. Most importantly, the adoption of container tracking is bound to increase and grow in days to come. Works Cited Vasseur, Jean-Philippe, and Adam Dunkels. Interconnecting Smart Objects with IP: The Next Internet. Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers/Elsevier, 2010. Print. Container Transport Security across Modes. Paris: OECD, 2005. Print. Zhong, Ning. Web Intelligence: Research and Development: First Asia-Pacific Conference, Wi October 23-26, 2001, Maebashi City, Japan. Springer, 2001. Print. “Container Tracking and Security”. BergInsight. Web. 4 May 2012. “Container Tracking and Container management”. Mhia.org. Web. 4 May 2012. Read More