Sensefinity will use Sateliots satellite constellation and connectivity to track cargo containers when they are outside cellular networks.
Sateliot, the satellite constellation offering 5G standard connectivity from space, and Sensefinity, an IoT provider for asset tracking and an end-to-end solution, have launched global 5G-IoT satellite connectivity to facilitate the first technology of data transmission from 1,000 smart containers that will save medium shipping companies up to $1.4m per year on container maintenance and repairs.
Actual satellite coverage is not 100% global, as geostationary satellites only cover fixed areas of the planet. Moreover, their far placement makes them way less efficient than Low Earth Orbit satellites, which comes into play to fix this problem. Without NB-IoT coverage at high sea, trackers and sensors can only record the information, uploading it once the vessels are near shore, when it is already too late to do anything with damaged cargo. Furthermore, legacy satellite transmission costs for every container are a high addition to a vessels already expensive bills, particularly when considering tariffs and port and channel fees.
With Sateliots full 5G NB-IoT satellite constellation, Sensefinity will be able to report location, temperature, humidity, vibration and container breach in near real-time, unlocking a set of high-impact use cases such as notifications when a container falls into the ocean, alerting for fires inside containers, warning for cold-chain breaks for sensitive cargo like food and medicines and reporting impacts and damages in containers.
Speaking about the launch, Jaume Sanpera, Sateliot CEO, said: “Investing in smart containers and global continuous connectivity transmission through our network of 5G-NB IoT satellites will provide vessels and shipping companies better control of transported goods, avoiding damage claims and lawsuits costing companies billions of dollars per year.”
Another advantage of this partnership between Sateliots global satellite coverage and Sensefinity IoT solutions in smart containers is the reduction of food waste and carbon emissions. Maritime shipping businesses will grow in a sustainable way, allowing an increase in revenue while caring for the planet.
Sensefinity CEO Orlando Remédios commented: “Our technology will help the international shipping industry to overcome cargo damage, which costs a yearly estimate of $6 billion, reducing complaints and lawsuits, and also food waste and carbon emissions. Maritime shipping businesses will grow in a sustainable way, allowing an increase in revenue while caring for the planet.”
Sateliots transmission costs start from less than $1 per device per month. This allows Sensefinity to facilitate its expansive growth, granting shipping and vessel companies the ability to transmit data from smart containers in the middle of the ocean with a very reduced cost.
