Copenhagen-based container shipping line Maersk Line has reported its recent deployment of a new StarTrak wireless reefer container GPS tracking system has led to the recovery of significant amounts of purloined foodstuffs. In one incident, crabmeat snatched in Baltimore worth several hundred thousand dollars was recovered in Baltimore and in another, police in Maryland retrieved a frozen load of pork stolen from a trucker in Virginia.
According to StarTrak, Maersk Line has deployed its advanced GPS system on over 5,000 container gensets in its fleet. The project, more than three years in the making, was launched full scale last year. StarTrak said the system offers Maersk customers enhanced refrigerated transportation security and reliability for time-sensitive, high-value refrigerated shipments.
The system provides real-time visibility into the location and temperature settings of
temperature controlled containers in North America by using StarTrak Systems’ GenTrak genset-based monitoring devices, the company explained, noting the tracking device enables Maersk to immediately identify situations such as equipment malfunctions or transport delays, which
could negatively affect customers’ supply chains.
“We have the ability to track container movements, reefer operational situations and customer
delivery,” said William C. Duggan Jr., vp of Maersk’s Refrigerated Services, North
America. “Customers are assured of predictable deliveries, with real-time interdiction of any freight problems, because we are able to notify all of the parties responsible for our shipments of any problems in real time.”
Tom Robinson, StarTrak executive vp said. “Maersk’s wireless solution places them
significantly ahead of every refrigerated container operator in North America, from both an
efficiency and quality standpoint. Maersk has been able to maximize the absolute potential of their 5000-plus genset fleet and provide real-time visibility of all their live refrigerated containers in North America, Tom Robinson, StarTrak executive vp said. The majority of the Maersk Line North American genset fleet is slated to be fit with this new technology by the end of July.
