Drugs hidden in containers, refugees opening trucks or even a problem with the cooler can damage the freight during transport. With a data logger the trade gains insight into the conditions while on the way. The Spanish Anecoop uses a data logger. The company is so enthusiastic that it set up a separate branch, Anserlog, which distributes the device in Spain.
“We use the Locus Traxx data logger for certain transports,” explains Alberto López of Anserlog. The transport of citrus to China, for instance, is foreseen of a data logger due to the long transport time of a month and a half. Vulnerable products are also provided with a logger. “Soft fruit, ice berg lettuce, stone fruit,” Alberto lists. Around six months ago, in October last year, Anecoop started using the data logger. “It’s very important to have an insight into the temperature of the products which are on the way.”
Alberto López.
Drugs and faults
The system works simply. The box is placed between the products in the container or truck. The data logger records data on, for instance, the temperature and location and sends it on to a control room. In the control room the data is analysed and if there are deviations a message is sent to the customer. Alberto sees the interest among Spanish companies rising. “Unfortunately some things still often go wrong during the transport. The data logger is an extra service that gives full insight into the temperature. Using a data logger is a guarantee to the customer that the cold chain isn’t broken.”
Besides a fault in the cooling system there are also other situations that can cause problems. There are stories of drivers turning the cooling off, but also current topics such as the refugee crisis and the drugs trade are factors. The data logger also registers when the door of a container is opened. “We see data loggers often being used for the import of bananas from Ecuador. This way the trader can guarantee that the container hasn’t been opened.”
Refugees
If a container is opened before it leaves the ports in Latin America, an alarm is immediately sounded. The local police are warned, who can intercept the container. “Drug smuggling is a big problem on this route.”
There is also a crisis on the European continent which has consequences for the transport sector. Due to the thousands of refugees who climbed into trucks at Calais in recent months to cross the Channel, many transporters moved the route to the United Kingdom. “Trucks all over Europe are fitted with the loggers. We get a direct signal if the doors are opened. Then we check whether the driver opened the doors to check the cargo, or whether refugees climbed into the load. In the latter case we can warn the police.”
Bond of trust
The data logger isn’t just in the interest of the trader. Spanish transport businesses can also consciously choose the system. “It’s a guarantee for their customers that the load is being transported well,” says Alberto. “We can pass the information that we receive to the customers on request. This way the transport builds up a bond of trust with the customer.”
There are a lot of companies in the fruit and vegetable sector who use the data logger. “San Lucar uses the data logger in transports all over the world,” explains Alberto. “For both transport from Spain to Austria or Germany and transport from Egypt or South Africa to Rotterdam, the data logger is used.”
More information:
Anserlog
Alberto Lopez