The Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) and Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) are currently piloting a large scale test of electronic tags using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the Shanghai-Savannah trade lane.
As part of a port partnership between SIPG and GPA that began in 2004, the ports have been cooperating on operations, marketing, and technology projects. This e-tag pilot is the first high volume test of RFID technology on international, commercial, maritime container trade.
This project is a bold, proactive move by both ports. “By joining forces with the SIPG, we are improving the flow of trade and security through better technology,” said GPA’s Chairman of its Board of Directors Steve Green. “This program will also have a big impact on US security and that of our trading partners.
This pilot program began on March 10, 2008 and expects to include 10,000 TEUs mounted with new electronic tag/seals over the next several months. Weekly sailings have averaged 350-500 e-tagged TEUs per vessel between Shanghai and Savannah. In this pilot phase, we are fine tuning the application and technology and putting the system through substantial real world tests.