The number of active tracking devices deployed for cargo loading units is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.4 per cent to reach 33.1 million by 2026, according to market watcher Berg Insight.

This includes units for trailers, intermodal containers, rail freight wagons, air cargo containers, cargo boxes and pallets.

The market report covering the trailer and cargo container tracking market said the number of units reached 11.1 million worldwide in 2021.

In terms of installed units, trailer telematics is the most developed market, followed by tracking devices for general cargo applications and intermodal containers. The total market value for trailer and cargo container tracking reached an estimated €1.5bn in 2021. Growing at a CAGR of 14.1 per cent, the market size is forecasted to reach €2.9bn in 2026.

Berg ranks Orbcomm as the largest provider of cargo tracking, having an installed base of both trailers and containers. The company’s total installed base reached more than 828,000 units at the end of 2021.

The second largest player, SkyBitz, has an installed base of 685,000 tracking units, primarily on trailers. Additional leading providers of trailer telematics are Spireon (now owned by Solera), Samsara, CalAmp, Powerfleet, Phillips Connect, Idem Telematics and Schmitz Cargobull.

The container tracking market is dominated by Maersk, which has equipped its entire fleet of 385,000 reefer containers with tracking devices. Other major players in the segment are Envotech, Zillion Source, Globe Tracker, Traxens and Mecomo.

Leading telematics players in the rail industry are Nexxiot, Amsted Rail, Siemens, Savvy, Dot Telematik and Cognid Telematik. Nexxiot is successful in the segment, working on large-scale projects in Europe. Sensitech (part of Carrier), DeltaTrak, Tive, Roambee and Controlant are the largest providers of cargo tracking devices, each with hundreds of thousands of devices in use. These players offer tracking devices that can be used on all modes of transport, including air freight.

“There is an ongoing trend in the transport industry to invest in new digital solutions that increase visibility and security in the supply chain,” said Martin Backman, senior analyst at Berg Insight.

Major container and rail freight wagon fleet owners have in the past few years taken a big step towards full-scale deployment of tracking technology. Trailer OEMs in Europe and North America have at the same time partnered with specialist tracking vendors to include telematics as standard on new trailers.

“While the market is indeed growing rapidly, there is much room left for additional growth during the next five years,” said Backman.

There are about fifty million intermodal containers, trailers, rail freight wagons and ULDs in use worldwide. Less than 15 per cent of these are equipped with tracking technology. In addition, there are billions of individual cargo boxes, packages and pallets that can benefit from real-time tracking.

“Recent advancements in IoT communications technology, energy harvesting, sensor technology and monitoring software are expected to accelerate adoption of tracking in the next few years,” said Backman.