A NEW container tracking system (CTR), developed in support of the Container Depot and Logistics Association (Singapore) (CDAS) and Enterprise Singapore, will help hauliers tackle the ongoing pain points in tracking and managing their assets.
The new system allows hauliers to satisfy both their fleet management system and Internet of Things requirements in a single deployment.
Speaking at the CTR launch event held at the Trade Association Hub on Friday (Sep 30), Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said that the technology will help operators digitally track their fleet and trailer assets, as well as facilitate resource-sharing between companies.
This reduces overspending and stocking up on fixed assets for “just-in-case” scenarios - thus optimising companies’ resources, she added.
“Many companies told us that they currently track asset locations, for example trailers, manually on paper or using excel spreadsheets,” Low said. “(The CTR) is a wonderful example of how the sector can work even more closely together as one community.”
The CTR solution has been piloted since January 2022 and has already been adopted by 26 transporter companies, with about 230 transport companies expected to benefit in the next 2 years.
The system comes with a comprehensive dashboard that can monitor fleet 24/7, receive real-time alerts, obtain a comprehensive performance analysis, and is interoperable with existing operations systems.
It also allows hauliers to track their fleet at any CTR-linked multi-storied complexes, allowing for real-time vertical location updates on their fleet location and better digital communications between facilities and the trucks, such as instructing them on which levels and loading bays to go to, directly via a mobile device.
Beyond better tracking of trailer assets, companies can also lease excess trailer inventory onto the CTR chassis pooling platform - simultaneously helping out hauliers who are in urgent need of additional trailers inventory to meet job demand surges.
Peter Ho, president of CDAS, noted that the CTR solution will greatly benefit the industry in its continued progression towards digitalisation and vertical growth.
“It (CTR) will greatly aid companies in reducing wastage through the better and efficient deployment of their manpower and resources, bringing about better overall turnaround time, improved services and reducing carbon emissions on the environment,” he added.
Tracking and optimising usage of the trailer assets has been a longstanding industry pain point in the container logistics sector, leading to wastage of valuable time and resources, said Ricky Loo, deputy president of CDAS.
“As the industry looks towards reducing carbon emissions, better tracking, and better optimisation and deployment of trailer assets through CTR will help ensure such assets are put to better use than just sitting around wasting money and space,” Loo noted.
Meanwhile, Low also announced 2 new standards for the logistics and transportation sector: Technical Reference or TR 104, which will guide the safe use of autonomous mobile robots in warehouses, as well as the Singapore Standard or SS 684, a code of practice for container depot operations.
Highlighting the need for logistics and transport companies to upgrade and transform in order to stay competitive, Low said that many Singapore enterprises were able to build their capabilities throughout the Covid-19 period through government assistance schemes, in particular the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Enterprise Development Grant (EDG).
Supporting pre-scoped solutions like digital fleet management systems and sector-specific equipment such as autonomous transport robots for warehouses, the PSG has received over 116,100 applications in the last 3 years - with 95 per cent of them being approved and 80 per cent of those projects completing and receiving their funds within 13 months.
The EDG, which provides customised support for transformation projects, has seen more than 20,400 applications in the past 3 years - 85 per cent of which are being approved, Low noted.
Separately, during the event, CO2 Connect announced the launch of its Sustainability Transformation Programme that will enable companies to track their fleet’s carbon footprint and gain access to monthly reports on their carbon performance. It aims to onboard 400 commercial vehicles to the sustainability platform CO2X by the first year.
“Our inclusive platform will lower the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises to incorporate sustainability practices and bridge the gap between businesses and financial services in a data-driven approach,” said Lim Chee Kean, chairman and co-founder of CO2 Connect.
Source: The Business Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.