Temperature-controlled transports: logistics expert RINNEN relies on SAVVY® Telematic Systems solution

Each liquid has a temperature range that it must not fall below or exceed, for example from 18 to 40 degrees Celsius. RINNEN wants to provide the highest possible degree of shipment safety to its customers even for products with a narrow temperature range. SAVVY Telematic Systems has provided a solution that does exactly that. “We have developed a device that measures the temperature inside the tank”, explains Bernhard Weiland, Key Account Manager for the Swiss telematics provider. “A replaceable thermowell with a PT 1000 sensor is inserted into the tank from the top. The sensor is only separated from the liquid by the tube fitting, thereby providing exact measurements.”

The sensor is connected to the SAVVY Sense Gateway-ExR, an ATEX-certified telematics unit installed on the top of the container. The Gateway device communicates via radio with the CargoTrac base unit. The unit sends data to the SAVVY Synergy Enterprise Portal. The web-based platform enables the RINNEN fleet management team to maintain an overview of all transport variables such as current location, temperature, pressure, and container fill level at all times.

SAVVY also provides RINNEN with a seamless tracking&tracing solution. This makes it possible to determine the estimated time of arrival (ETA). Up to now, ETA was calculated and displayed using a telematics system in its own vehicles. The downside: It was not possible to maintain an overview in the case of combined shipments. “We were able to provide a realistic ETA for the initial and final legs by truck but not during the main leg via rail, inland waterway or sea”, explains Oliver Brucks, Head of Vehicle Fleet Management at RINNEN. “SAVVY has enabled us to close this gap. Every 15 minutes, the Cargo-Trac units on the tank containers send out their GPS position to the Synergy Portal, which then calculates the current ETA. This way we can provide our customers with current data when they need to plan their delivery, regardless of whether the containers are located on our trucks or are being shipped with one of our freight partners.” In the chemical industry, ETA is a key variable. Just-in-time systems are used for a lot of production processes, which is why seamless supply chain coordination is essential.

In a mutual pilot project, RINNEN and SAVVY are working to also determine fill levels even more reliably. To determine if a tank container is full or empty, the logistics company currently relies on on-site data. The ERP system assigns the status “full” or “empty” to a container when it passes through or arrives at certain geographical positions, such as a trans-shipment point, a border crossing or a final destination. For example, the status changes to “empty” as soon as a tank container leaves the point of interest (POI) such as “Factory Customer XY”. However, imprecise information concerning fill levels cannot be completely ruled out with this method because the rules cannot cover all possible POIs. An innovative solution would ensure a higher degree of precision: Instead of deriving the fill levels indirectly from the position data, sensors detect even the smallest deformations in the container reinforcement struts – a reliable indicator of the container’s fill level.

In addition, other influencing factors are included that could otherwise distort the results if they are not considered. The two companies are developing an algorithm which generates a robust value under consideration of different factors in order to reliably calculate fill levels. With this method RINNEN wants to further increase transport safety. Thanks to the telematic data, the forwarding company has transport statuses constantly under control. If the data deviates from the target values, the software automatically sends alarm notifications to enable drivers and fleet managers to respond immediately. Drivers are connected per tablet with the Synergy Portal, while the managing clerks have access per web-browser on their desktop PC. The alarms can be configured so that designated persons receive email notifications and that others are notified when the first group of people cannot be reached.

In this context, the Synergy Portal serves as a collaboration platform. With the aid of this tool, RINNEN can allow customers who so desire to gain direct access to the telematic data. They receive a common user access to simply log on to the portal. At one glance, they can see the current position of the shipments and the estimated arrival time on a map. Data concerning temperature, fill stand etc. are also shown in real-time.