This, claims the company, should help manufacturers, customs officials and importers protect container integrity throughout the supply chain.
According to GE, more than 90 per cent of all goods moved internationally are carried in containers, and around 8 million freight containers arrive at US ports each year. The GE solution will establish a global mechanism for in-transit freight container security for all classes of cargo, without impeding the movement of international trade.
On top of this, food suppliers and manufacturers are under increasing pressure from both retailers to meet traceability mandates and from governments to fulfill new legal requirements regarding the tracing of shipments of goods. Increasing pressure on margins means that cost-effective solutions are now a priority.
"The future of global commerce depends on the ability of the shipping industry and government agencies to improve cargo security while facilitating the efficient flow of goods," said Greg Burge, president of networked services for GE's security business.
"As one of the world's leading shippers and container lessors, GE has a significant stake in developing and deploying a safe, reliable and cost-effective global solution."
The palm-sized container security device (CSD) easily fastens without special tools to the door jamb inside any standard maritime container. The cargo's manufacturer uses a wireless handheld device to arm the device with a unique identifier code.
The CSD automatically communicates its status to fixed wireless readers at ports, indicating when and where the container has been opened since it was initially sealed. Customs officials can also inspect the cargo at any time using a special handheld wireless device to arm and disarm the CSD. When the container is delivered, the importer verifies the access record and disarms the CSD prior to opening.
All data is stored and managed through a secure information backbone. Communication between wireless readers and container security devices is encrypted, as are all transaction records.
The container security device was developed by Sweden-based All Set Marine Security AB, and has been tested by the USgovernment and private industry. The capabilities of the device are amplified through GE's access control platform and sensor suites, and the company's expertise in wireless handheld transactional software and data management networks.
"GE is uniquely positioned to lead the development of a global solution because of its capabilities in high-volume manufacturing, commercial deployment, technology integration and customer support," said Burge.
GE believes that the new development represents a real opportunity for suppliers to improve their operations. Indeed, a key to realising the true enterprise value of traceability systems is to move the focus beyond compliance to operational efficiency. Compliance, claims a recent Aberdeen research group report, represents a small percentage of the total benefits for manufacturers.
Other benefits include improved information on inventory status, better tracking and management of assets, improved responsiveness and customer service and improved tracking of shipping containers. This can then lead to reduced labour costs, improved inventory availability and reduced inventory stockouts.
However, the research report says that this reduction in labour will come about only if manufacturers move beyond the compliance approach that most are contemplating now. Improvements in customer service are expected from improvements in inventory availability and reduced stockouts, as well as streamlined shipping and advanced shipment notification processes and improved responsiveness to customer needs.
The security business of GE Infrastructure is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company, focused on communication and information technologies for security and safety. It has operations in more than 30 countries.