Danish logistics giant Maersk is replacing all IoT devices across its reefer fleet to deliver a more consistent customer experience. So far, around 30 per cent of the reefer fleet has been upgraded.

“As real-time access and data availability grow increasingly vital for our cold chain customers, the deployment of our next-generation IoT devices will provide them with a much more reliable data flow throughout the container journey,” said Bruce Marshall, head of reefer cargo at Maersk.

Currently, Maersk is in the process of completing the roll-out of its new digital connectivity platform aboard 450 vessels, paving the way for smarter cargo tracking and management in the future.

“Our fleet’s new digital platform has created a solid foundation for the future,” said Marshall. “The next step is to replace all existing IoT devices across our reefer fleet with the latest generation of technology, and we have already begun this work. After years of operating with several generations of devices, this upgrade will standardise our devices and deliver a more consistent customer experience.”

Since 2019, Maersk has offered customers access to the visibility product Captain Peter (www.maersk.com/digital-services/captain-peter), which enables them to monitor their cargo from the moment the goods are sealed in the container through to delivery at the final destination. They can already monitor the temperature of their reefer cargo, but the current 2G network infrastructure onboard limits the frequency of data point updates. With the roll-out of the new platform, this infrastructure is transitioning to 4G technology, enabling an increase in data granularity and paving the way for smarter cargo tracking and enhanced operational insights.

“For reefer customers, confidence that data are always available is crucial,” said Marshall. “That experience will improve markedly once our entire reefer fleet is fitted with the latest generation of connectivity devices. The upgrade will also provide the building blocks to introduce new features that will further strengthen the customer offering in the future. We want to pivot our current offering from being just a visibility product to being an intelligent tool that helps customers interpret data and provide recommended actions.”

The new platform is a single, unified network designed to support multiple wireless technologies such as NB-IoT, Cat-M and LTE broadband, offering scalability, security and flexibility, enabling Maersk (www.maersk.com) customers to integrate their IoT devices and services seamlessly. It is designed for seamless interoperability between private and public networks, ensuring cargo is reliably monitored whether at sea, in port or on land.