Supply chain disruptions are set to stay heading into 2024. Though huge strides have been made in innovation levels and agility, new threats to global supply chains continue to emerge, including:

• Wars breaking out
• Inflation pressures
• Staff shortages

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. The increasing volatility of global supply chains means that end-to-end visibility carries greater significance than ever. According to McKinsey, companies implementing end-to-end supply chain visibility solutions are twice as likely to avoid disruptions.

Businesses can only control or respond to what they see. End-to-end supply chain visibility clearly shows what's going on at every point. That's what makes it so significant. Without it, organizations are left guessing. This costs time, money, and even customers. Plus, it results in losing ground on competitors.

End-to-end visibility offers certainty in uncertain times, helping companies face up to supply chain challenges and overcome them.

One of the keys to achieving this visibility is container tracking, and more specifically, intermodal container tracking.

Intermodal Container Tracking—Visibility in Any Mode

Intermodal container tracking is a tech-driven system that seamlessly traces the movement of shipping containers across different modes of transport, including:

• Ships
• Trains
• Trucks

It uses a combination of IoT devices, sensors, and communication technologies to provide real-time visibility into the location, condition, and status of containers during their supply chain journey.

The key features of intermodal container tracking include deploying sensors on containers to capture data on factors like location, temperature, and humidity. Integration with telematics systems and GPS technology ensures accurate and continuous tracking.

Plus, the blockchain enhances data security and transparency, while data analytics and predictive modeling contribute valuable insights for optimizing routes and improving overall supply chain efficiency.

All this is necessary because, despite the many benefits of intermodal container shipping, it's not without its blind spots. For example:

• Handoff points: Without tracking, the switch from one mode of transport to another (e.g., from ship to truck or truck to train) can be a blind spot. Delays and disruptions at these handoff points aren't always immediately visible, which can impact overall supply chain timelines.
  
  
• Limited visibility during ocean transit: The seven seas are enormous, which makes pinpointing containers on ocean vessels without tracking virtually impossible. Real-time updates on the status of intermodal containers would have to wait until a vessel is approaching a port.
  
  
• Customs and regulatory procedures: Country-specific rules and regulations at customs at various terminals, especially at international borders, can introduce blind spots. Delays in customs clearance or unforeseen regulatory issues may disrupt the flow of information and create uncertainties in the supply chain.
  
  
• Supply chain partners: End-to-end visibility of intermodal containers requires the collaboration of all stakeholders across the supply chain. If key partners do not adopt compatible tracking systems or share information in real time, blind spots can emerge, affecting the accuracy of end-to-end visibility.
  
  
• Weather-related challenges: Adverse weather conditions like storms can impact transportation schedules and introduce blind spots. Delays or route changes due to weather-related events might not be communicated immediately, affecting supply chain planning.

Bringing visibility to these blind spots takes a concerted effort to enhance technology interoperability, improve stakeholder communication, and invest in solutions that provide comprehensive end-to-end intermodal visibility.

Leveraging Intermodal Container Tracking for Revitalized Container Performance

Vizion's API offers an intermodal container tracking solution that shippers can use for total end-to-end visibility during ocean and rail transportation. As an API, Vizion's platform is a plug-and-play solution that integrates with a shipper's existing tech stack. Plus, it's compatible with other tracking modules.

The rollout is quick and easily integrated with current supply chain management systems because there are no costs for internal software development when implementing an API. This unified platform simplifies intermodal container tracking, bringing relevant tracking data into one place and providing complete insight into intermodal containers at every stage of their journey. This level of visibility offers many benefits:

Reduce Port Fees and Increase Efficiency

Vizion API's intermodal tracking contributes to reduced port fees by increasing operational efficiency and improved planning.

The tracking system enables more accurate arrival predictions by providing real-time visibility into the location and status of containers. This precision allows ports to optimize their resources, including labor and equipment, leading to faster container turnaround times.

Reduced dwell times and improved scheduling minimize congestion, enabling ports to handle more containers without shippers incurring additional costs. Plus, Vizion API's proactive tracking helps prevent demurrage and storage fees by allowing timely interventions in case of delays.

With better coordination and scheduling, Vizion API mitigates potential fees associated with delays or inefficient handling of intermodal containers.

Build Resilience through Exception Alerts

Vizion's Exception Alert API automatically identifies when and where an exception, the cause of the exception and provides updated shipment ETAs in real time. Every day or every hour, Vizion API creates reports on container status updates.

These alerts help to build supply chain resilience by equipping shippers with high-value information that drives better decision-making when it comes to shipping exceptions, including:

• Knowing how to respond
• When to respond
• The best way to respond

This information helps shippers manage the risk of disruption and enables them to begin mitigation efforts immediately.

Predictive Analytics for Unparalleled Adaptation

Predictive analytics provides a level of enhanced visibility, enabling shippers to review historical data and align it with current and ongoing data to help spot and bypass risks and disruptions.

For example, Vizion API's predictive analytics capabilities can analyze data from past disruptions at a specific port and generate an alert indicating another potential disruption. This enables shippers to avoid chaos by choosing a port that can accommodate an intermodal container's movements.

An even more proactive measure that shippers can take with Vizion API's predictive analytics capabilities is to call for a complete change of shipping lane or to part ways with a carrier that's performing poorly.

Vizion API's predictive analytics enable shippers to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, recommending a course of action to adjust things based on potentially disruptive conditions.

Container Tracking: Three Strategies Toward Implementation

Intermodal container tracking is a crucial factor in pursuing end-to-end supply chain visibility. However, effective tracking is only as robust as the implementation process. That's why it's essential to:

Choose the Right Tracking Technology

The key to successful intermodal container tracking is choosing the right tech. GPS, RFID, and IoT devices are the most common systems used for tracking containers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

• Strengths: Offers accurate real-time location tracking globally, providing a comprehensive view of container movement. Effective for outdoor tracking during transit.
• Weaknesses: Limited effectiveness in indoor environments or areas with poor satellite visibility. It relies on battery power, requiring periodic recharging.

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification)

• Strengths: Provides proximity-based tracking, offering quick and automatic identification of containers. Well-suited for short-range applications and inventory management.
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• Weaknesses: Limited range compared to GPS, making it less effective for long-distance tracking. Susceptible to interference from metal and other materials, impacting signal strength.

IoT (Internet of Things)

• Strengths: Offers a versatile solution with sensors for diverse data (location, temperature, humidity). Enables real-time data transmission, enhancing comprehensive visibility.
• Weaknesses: Requires robust connectivity infrastructure. Power consumption and device costs can be considerations.

Integration with Existing Systems and Processes

Intermodal container tracking systems can integrate seamlessly with existing systems by adopting standardized data formats and leveraging APIs. However, that's not to say integration is without its challenges, which can include:

• Data silos
• Tech disparities
• Resistance to change

Overcoming these challenges takes collaborative planning to ensure compatibility between tracking solutions and current technologies.

Plus, it's important to foster a culture of openness and innovation. Implementing a phased integration of tracking systems, offering training programs, and establishing clear communication channels can help to better facilitate integration.

Standardized Metrics and Continuous Improvement

Standardized metrics in intermodal container tracking ensure uniformity and consistency in data interpretation, facilitating seamless communication across the supply chain. This consistency enhances collaboration among stakeholders.

Continuous improvement is crucial to refining tracking processes, optimizing resource utilization, and adapting to evolving industry standards and technological advancements.

Regularly evaluating metrics allows for identifying inefficiencies, enabling timely adjustments to enhance overall system performance.

This iterative approach promotes agility, reduces errors, and ensures that intermodal container tracking systems remain effective and aligned with ever-changing global supply chains.

Time To Step Into End-to-End Visibility

True end-to-end visibility is the holy grail for every shipper. The ability to see across the entire supply chain paves the way for continuous improvement. Plus, containers move faster, shipping fees fall, communication and collaboration improve, and shippers are equipped to better handle disruptive events.

But best of all is that the customer experience improves significantly. Complete visibility means shippers can take full advantage of all the benefits of intermodal shipping.

Using Vizion API’s ocean and rail tracking, shippers optimize their operations across their entire global supply chains. Vizion API is an easily integrated and deployed API that provides shippers and stakeholders with real-time event notifications, standardized milestone data, ETAs, predictive analytics, and gap-free container tracking.

Book a demo with Vizion API today to see what true end-to-end visibility looks like.