IoT in container shipping industry: applications and examples of solutions

Abstract

The study analyzes the participation of technologies related to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) network concept in the intermodal container transportation system. Since the beginning of the XXI century, IoT-related technologies have been dynamically spreading in almost all areas of international business, and this has changed the understanding of cargo owners about the quality of transportation services, among other things. Since transparency in monitoring the location of high-value goods is extremely important for transport companies, cargo owners, and all other stakeholders, and the intermodal transportation system is extremely complex due to the number and diversity of communications, the need to use IoT is obvious. As analysts predict that the introduction of IoT technologies in containerization will become widespread in the coming years, a study to assess the level of research on the introduction of such technologies and implementation in the practical activities of transport enterprises is relevant. The aim of the proposed review is to determine the degree of IoT implementation in the container transportation industry, areas of research on the topic, and identify factors that may impede the predicted rapid development of IoT in containerization. The proposed study includes an analysis of scientific publications related to the use of the Internet of Things in the field of international container transportation, identifies the main priority areas of such publications, establishes the areas of current implementation of IoT technology and determines the prospects for its use. Since the solutions that can potentially be obtained with the help of IoT are quite heterogeneous, the literature analysis is organized by grouping such publications into the following areas: container monitoring and tracking, enhancing supply chain transparency and visibility, optimization of operational efficiency, security and risk management, environmental impact and sustainability, challenges and barriers. The paper provides examples of online platforms and applications currently offered by major container operators that are related to this technology.