The Challenge: Automate reefer monitoring

Streamlining operations, automating reefer monitoring

Maersk, the world’s leading ocean carrier and integrated logistics provider, ships temperature-sensitive cargos like fruits, vegetables, meat, and pharmaceuticals in refrigerated containers—reefers, whose ambient conditions need constant monitoring.

Any deviation must be resolved with agility. Maersk, like most carriers, relied on third parties and manual methods to detect, notify, and resolve issues, causing delays in fixes and higher operational costs. There was a need for automation in shipping to revolutionize reefer monitoring with real-time visibility and a centralized solution for proactive operational decisions.

The Solution: IoT-based monitoring solution

IoT-based comprehensive monitoring solution

With its deep domain knowledge of container shipping processes, TCS partnered with Maersk to define and develop the right fit architecture for a modular, loosely coupled solution.

The core solution involved integrating real-time data from reefers with the enterprise solution at Maersk to enable quick decision-making on reefer conditions right from the container booking process. TCS provided multiple solutions during the journey, creating a benchmark for digital transformation in the shipping industry. In addition to automating alarm detection and corrections and closure, TCS provided a workflow solution to streamline actions by different internal and external stakeholders and a vessel-based solution to onboard reefer technicians. TCS also integrated predictive algorithms to help detect issues before they turn into problems and support the implementation of a mobility solution for Maersk’s equipment maintenance and repair vendors. Autonomous management of reefer controller’s software is now possible remotely.

The solution, which has also provided visibility of monitoring data to Maersk’s customers, is built using Microsoft’s cloud IoT platform and technology components. It monitors a fleet of over 3,85,000 reefers and provides monitoring capabilities for over 450 vessels.

The Benefits: Improved customer experience

Improved customer experience, cost savings

The initiative helps Maersk underscore its leadership in integrated container logistics. Cloud enablement ensures Maersk can carry cargo in the exact ambient conditions inside the container as desired by customers during the container booking process and promote sustainable business operations. The solution offered many benefits:

• Automated monitoring at land and sea
  
• Improved visibility of temperature conditions inside containers
  
• Enabled real-time detection of reefer malfunction, compared to 12/24 hours through physical inspection in the traditional process
  
• Enabled Maersk to provide customers with a complete supply chain solution
  
• Reduced the risk of wastage of food items and critical cargo like medicines and blood plasma