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Jul 1, 2003 12:00 PM

A project being spearheaded by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) and Savi Technology is aiming to develop “smart and secure” intermodal shipping containers to guard freight transported by trucks, trains, and ocean carriers.

These new containers will capture, sense, and wirelessly transmit real-time intelligence on the contents, along with their condition, location, and security status, the companies said.

Such “smart” containers developed by China-based CIMC and Sunnyvale CA-based Savi are a key part of a newly emerging class of in-transit visibility systems for logistics. These could vastly improve operational efficiencies and inventory management while ensuring shipment security and integrity.

“There are many ways of making a container smart,” said retired General John Coburn, chairman of the California-based Strategic Council on Security Technology. “The right answer is to build a smart container system where many enabling technologies can be modularly integrated as needed.”

CIMC is one of the largest manufacturers of freight containers, holding more than 40% market share globally. It builds more than 100 types of container products along with trailers, airport equipment, and other chassis.

Both CIMC and Savi said the new container type would also meet international ISO standards and United States government programs to counter threats of terrorists concealing weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers.