Overview
The main challenges facing today's international intermodal door to door container transport system are logistics efficiency and security which may lead to contradictory business strategies. However, a safe, secure and efficient intermodal transport system is a common goal of all the participants in the supply chain. INTEGRITY reconciled these challenges and linked all elements of the supply chain through accurate, reliable, timely, value adding tracking and status data thus enhancing trade facilitation through the use of high quality, neutral, sophisticated equipment, including scanning equipment in ocean ports, whilst remaining accessible to all eligible stakeholders, large and small. INTEGRITY developed procedures and technologies allowing for supply chain visibility, security and predictability. Based on consensus, the project partners (3PLs, cargo owners, logistics companies, research organisations, Customs Authorities, technology companies, IT developers, (inland) terminal operators) will guarantee a successful implementation in a real environment.
INTEGRITY validated targeted and verifiable benefits through real operational business and customs operations in door to door supply chains in the major trade corridor of China to the EU via the ports of Yantian, Rotterdam and Felixstowe, using all modes of transports within the EU to various destinations. INTEGRITY is embedded into international initiatives e.g. from World Customs Organization (WCO), EU/China Customs project supported by DG TAXUD, e-Customs project, Freight Logistics Action Plan of DG TREN and to intermodal initiatives like EIRAC. It was also combined with the AEO concept and scanning/monitoring technology and will support the 'trust but verify' approach. INTEGRITY raised the standard for door-to-door container chains by providing high quality and integrity information. Its validation and demonstration verified the benefits for all current and future, big or small players.
The strong growth in container transport, bottlenecks in hinterland connections, complex logistics chains consisting of many actors, information gaps as well as new security regulations are challenges to be managed by industry and administration.
The main factors in today's international intermodal container transport, logistics and security, aim at different objectives and sometimes lead to contradictory strategies.
INTEGRITY developed a methodology and an IT system serving both issues satisfying industry and authorities at the same time b
Kernel of the project was the development of the Shared Intermodal Container Information System (SICIS) allowing authorised companies and authorities to access planning and status information of selected transports. Proactive planning following the Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) approach allows to forecast problems well before they might occur. Matching logistics data with security information, e.g. from electronic seals, container security devices, and scanning equipment together with the integration of the AEO (authorised economic operator) approach allow to satisfy both the logistics industry and Customs Authorities fulfilling their duties thus creating win-win situations.
The INTEGRITY project aimed at creating supply chain visibility by providing a basis for securing intermodal container chains ('security tracing') on a door-to-door basis by evaluating information from various types of sensors, portals and other information sources, partially pre-processed by intelligent algorithms. Supply Chain Visibility should lead to a better reliability and predictability of the transport chain performance by having the basic parties related to logistics and security issues 'on board'. No additional regulations are envisaged but instead services and incentives to make secure transports more attractive!
Different organisational and technical measures can enhance the security of the chain and support the supply chain visibility - also for logistics purposes - at the same time.
Integration of IT-systems along the chain will enable the creation of a Shared Intermodal Container Information System (SICIS) containing either the data itself or links to the data providers (such as port community systems, shipping lines, port authorities). This allows fast and reliable access to the data. However, technology is only one part of the story. The combination of existing technologies and new business processes, together with agreements between the 'administration world' and the 'logistics world' will create a win-win situation for both target groups.
Funding
Results
The INTEGRITY project has developed a methodology and an IT-system serving both issues satisfying industry and authorities at the same time by creating supply chain visibility. In this way the system optimises the reliability and predictability of global door-to-door container transports.
For nearly two years (from September 2009 until May 2011), the open IT-platform SICIS ('Shared Intermodal Container Information System') tracked more than 5400 containers along the entire logistics chain on several trade lanes from China to Europe. The system consolidated all relevant data and events which were generated during the transport.
The business evaluation performed within the project showed positive feedback, and awareness of the potential benefits when implementing and using the SICIS system.
Innovation aspects
The project has tracked many containers along the entire logistics chain on several trade lanes, consolidating all relevant data and events which were generated during the transport. No other research project has handled such a large number of containers, underlining the potential of this innovative system.
Technical Implications
The open IT-platform SICIS ('Shared Intermodal Container Information System') offers various functions. As an example, interfaces to terminal operating systems were developed in order to feed terminal messages into the system. Another important feature is linking the container monitoring data with vessel tracking information provided by satellites. A further feature of SICIS makes it possible for Customs to upload consignment data, which can be used to further optimize the risk assessment processes.
Other results
SICIS can easily be adopted to any trade lane worldwide. Due to its sophisticated interfacing possibilities, there are practically no limitations in data exchange with other systems.
Commercial participants in the chain (e.g. cargo owners, exporters, transport operators, port operators, etc.) and authorities (mainly Customs), will benefit most from the system.
Strategy targets
- An efficient and integrated mobility system: A Single European Transport Area
- Inovating for the future (technology and behaviour): A European Transport Research and Innovation Policy
- Inovating for the future (technology and behaviour): Promoting more sustainable development