4
Asset Management
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
January/February 2020
Nexxiot brings
transparency to
VTG tank fleet
S
tarting from this spring, Zurich-based
Nexxiot will equip VTG’s entire tank
container fleet with IoT sensors.
The Swiss company signed a contract to this
effect with VTG Rail Europe GmbH. All of the
current 9,000 tank containers are being equipped
with the ‘Globehopper’ sensors developed by
Nexxiot so that they can be located and
monitored worldwide.
Nexxiot says this brings more transparency and
planning capability to VTG’s processes and at the
same time means added value for its end
customers.
“The tank container industry continues to evolve
and is becoming increasingly digital,” said Nexxiot
CEO Helmut Kaspers. “This offers operators of
large fleets the opportunity to make practical use
of the resulting data. Our solution enables VTG to
call up information on the cargo, condition and
punctuality of its tank containers at any time. Our
service works worldwide and across all modes of
transport. In this way, VTG can guarantee its
customers more transparent transport for liquid
and temperature-controlled products.”
For VTG Tanktainer, managing director Jan
Röbken, shares the idea of a digital, transparent
and secure supply chain.
“Security and transparency in the supply chain
are enormously important for our tank containers
and we welcome every opportunity to optimise
this,” he commented. “We want to make efficient
use of the opportunities offered to us by new
technologies. Nexxiot has extensive experience in
the digitised supply chain, especially in rail freight,
and is now our strategic partner in the
digitalisation of our global tank container fleet.”
The IoT sensors provided by Nexxiot meet high
safety standards. The new generation of
Globehoppers introduced in May 2019 is certified
with the ATEX markings IIC and IIIC. This allows
their operation even in areas where there is a
constant risk of explosion, especially during
loading and unloading.
In addition to the hardware, Nexxiot has
developed a software solution to analyse the
information generated. The company offers the
complete infrastructure with a cloud-based
platform for processing the data from the sensors.
For VTG, this information will be fed directly into
the company’s systems via an integrated solution
from 2020. Nexxiot and VTG are working closely
together to design the solution - from the devices
up to the gained information.
Currently, Nexxiot has already equipped around
50,000 transport objects such as freight wagons
and tank containers with sensors worldwide and
provides the corresponding service. Between
3,000 and 4,000 objects are being added each
month.
In October last year, Nexxiot was accepted as a
member of ITCO.
With the establishment at its last members
meeting of a dedicated work group, focusing on
standards for communication and telematics,
ITCO’s membership is increasingly recognising the
importance of IoT-solutions for the sector.
Nexxiot says it will play a central role within
ITCO in the establishment of international
Nexxiot’s solution enables VTG to call up information on the cargo, condition and punctuality of its tank containers
standards for the industry.
“Standardisation is an evolving practice,” said
Patrick Hicks, ITCO’s general secretary, “with
inbuilt adjustment mechanisms. ITCO involves as
many stakeholder groups as possible, to enable a
discussion comprising all the important
technological and commercial concerns. For this
reason, Nexxiot’s contribution to ITCO’s work, as
an expert in digitalisation of the freight market,
will contribute to work that the organisation is
undertaking and provide benefits to our
members.”
“Standardisation is a key for a highly efficient
digitised supply chain,” added Tim Thiemann,
segment head tank container at Nexxiot.
“Particularly in the area of IoT, there must be
agreed standards to ensure that quality, safety
and sustainability in the tank container industry are
maintained in the future. Nexxiot works with the
most advanced solutions for the supply chain and
we have extensive experience in digitising large
fleets of cargo assets. That is why we want to use
our know-how to support the goals of ITCO.”
New standards will potentially reduce conflicts
among technology providers, as open and
inclusive standards ensure the market is not
flooded with inappropriate IoT technology.
An agreed standardisation process will
guarantee that business cases are supported and
operability issues covered.
“The global supply chain stakeholders require
interoperability which means inclusive standards
for both hardware and software, open protocols
for communication platforms and business
processes. Interoperability standards will increase
supply chain efficiency and enrich the market with
better suited products which do not compromise
on quality,” explained Marianna Levtov,
commercial project manager at Nexxiot.
Among ITCO members, the value of
standardisation is particularly important in the
field of cargo quality. Since sensitive cargo is being
transported, the ability to control its status
strengthens ITCO members’ position with
beneficial cargo owners. Nexxiot believes great
value is extracted from gaining a strong mutual
understanding of the requirements and challenges
and can help to define an industry wide vision
which forms the basis of any consortium of
interests and subsequent ongoing negotiations.
www.nexxiot.com
AIS compulsory for inland
barges in North Sea Port
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Carrs Billington opts for Microlise
U
K agricultural supplier Carrs Billington is deploying the
Microlise Solution, including its Fleet Performance and
Journey Management products across its fleet of 60 vehicles.
Carrs Billington runs feed mills at Carlisle, Lancaster and Stone
and has a network of 32 country stores throughout Northern
England, Scotland and Wales. The Microlise products will be used to
increase fuel efficiency, reduce mileage run and support improved
driver performance.
Journey Management will allow the supplier to understand the
location of its fleet against plan in real time, while data will also
highlight performance against schedule and routes, alerting the
team to any potential missed time slots before they’ve happened.
Driver performance monitoring will support drivers and deliver
increased efficiencies across fuel usage as well as vehicle wear and
tear.
According to Phil Rothera, national distribution manager at Carrs
Billington Operations: “We have an ambitious target to deliver
increased fuel efficiency and to support driver performance. When
we realise these improvements, we will continue with our planned
programme of investment to provide additional technological
support to our drivers in the field.”
“Carrs Billington has a keen focus on fleet efficiencies which is
commendable,” said Microlise CEO Nadeem Raza. “We are pleased
to be providing additional tools to manage, monitor and positively
impact on its operation and drive improved operational
efficiencies.”
ince 1 November 2019, inland vessels have been obliged
to use the North Sea Ports automatic identification system
(AIS) in Terneuzen.
This means that AIS is now compulsory in the entire port area,
making it easier for North Sea Port to follow all vessel movements
from Flushing (Netherlands) to Ghent (Belgium), which will promote
safety in the port area.
Until recently, AIS was only compulsory for inland vessels in
Flushing and in Ghent, but not in Terneuzen. Now that AIS is also
required for Terneuzen, movements of inland vessels can be traced
throughout the 60 km cross-border port area. This is important for
vessels in transit as well as for ships moored at quays – a total of
around 50,000 inland vessels a year.
As a merged port, North Sea Port can make operations of inland
vessels, shipping companies and other companies more
straightforward and consistent throughout the port area. This
uniform method facilitates traffic management and increases safety,
the port says. AIS tracking is also important for interaction between
inland vessels.