Telematics in Refrigerated Containers: Overview of Features, Benefits, and the Future of Remote Monitoring in Logistics

Telematics in refrigerated containers represents a revolution in the management of temperature‑sensitive goods logistics. It combines advanced hardware, software, cloud services, and networking standards that enable precise, safe, and efficient tracking, control, and administration of cooled transport units worldwide. This article serves as a detailed guide to all key concepts and technologies shaping modern logistics today.

Overview: What Is Telematics in Refrigerated Containers?

Telematics in refrigerated containers (also called “reefer telematics”) is a set of connected technologies that enable:

• Real‑time remote monitoring: temperature, humidity, location, door status, and refrigeration unit condition 24/7.
• Automated data collection, transmission, and archiving: everything via mobile or satellite network to central systems or cloud storage.
• Remote control and interventions: operators can change temperature, start diagnostics, or respond to alarms from a distance.
• Predictive maintenance and operational optimisation: data analysis allows planning service, reducing downtime, and extending equipment life.

What Does the System Consist Of?

Why Is Telematics Crucial?

• Increases safety and reliability of transported cargo (especially pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals).
• Enables immediate reaction to incidents (temperature spikes, door opening, refrigeration unit failure).
• Optimises costs and reduces energy consumption (operational analysis, fault prediction).
• Ensures regulatory and hygiene compliance (HACCP, GDP, ISO 10368 logs).

Glossary of Terms

Cold Chain

• Definition: Logistics chain that ensures transport and storage of goods in a controlled temperature regime from producer to final customer.
• Typical temperature ranges: –70 °C (ultra‑deep freeze – pharmaceuticals) up to +25 °C (fruits, vegetables).
• Key technologies: Telematics, data loggers, route validation.
• Practical importance: Without telematics it is impossible to meet requirements such as vaccine transport (including mRNA), which demand traceability of every step.

Container Monitoring

• What it includes:
  • Collection of current data: temperature, humidity, door status, fuel level, unit condition.
  • Real‑time data transmission to a central system (GPRS, LTE, satellite).
  • Alerting: SMS/e‑mail when preset limits are exceeded.
• Real‑world use: Dispatchers see the whole fleet on a map, can react instantly to alarms and minimise damage.

Container Telematics

• Functions:
  • Connection of the container with carrier or customer IT systems (API, cloud platforms).
  • Integration with ERP/TMS systems (automated shipment‑status data flow).
  • Tools for reporting, audit, compliance.
• Main benefits:
  • Increases supply‑chain transparency.
  • Enables proactive management and route optimisation.

Remote Monitoring

• Features:
  • Access to data from anywhere (web, mobile, tablet).
  • Ability to change settings remotely (e.g., lower temperature when ambient conditions change).
  • Integration with assistance services and maintenance.
• Real example: Remote start of a Thermo King refrigeration unit diagnostics after an error is reported from the other side of Europe.

Energy Consumption

• Monitored parameters:
  • Electrical energy use while the container is stationary in a port.
  • Fuel consumption when running on a diesel generator off‑grid.
  • Efficiency of the refrigeration unit (Start/Stop mode vs. continuous operation).
• Telematics advantages:
  • Identify unnecessary energy losses (frequent door openings, poor insulation).
  • Easy calculation of CO₂ footprint and reporting for sustainable logistics.

Fleet Management

• What it covers:
  • Inventory, planning, and optimisation of container utilisation.
  • Automated maintenance scheduling based on actual operating data.
  • Tracking movement and usage of each unit (utilisation rate, operating time, number of alarms).
• Telematics tools: Dashboards, reports, automated alerts for upcoming service intervals.

Fleet Performance

• Commonly measured indicators:
  • Average fuel consumption per route.
  • Container utilisation percentage for a given period.
  • Number of incidents/alarms per unit.
  • Compliance with set temperature regimes.
• Data‑driven optimisation: Identify the most efficient routes, units, and drivers; replace under‑performing equipment in time.

IoT (Internet of Things)

• Technologies used in telematics:
  • LTE‑M, NB‑IoT (low‑power networks for global coverage).
  • Cloud storage and IoT platforms for managing large volumes of data.
  • Edge computing – some tasks (e.g., alarms) are processed directly on the device without server connection.
• Security: Encrypted communications, secured remote access, firewall.

ISO 10368

• What it standardises:
  • Electrical and data interface between the telematics module and the refrigeration unit.
  • Communication protocols for telemetry data transfer.
• Benefits: Interoperability – ability to use devices and software from different manufacturers (Thermo King, Carrier, Daikin, Trane, etc.).
• Industry requirement: Compatibility with ISO 10368 is often a prerequisite for inclusion in global logistics networks.

Monitor Refrigerated

• Functions:
  • Data collection on internal temperature, humidity, gas concentrations (O₂/CO₂), filtration status.
  • Temperature history logs for audit.
  • Immediate alarms when limits are breached.
• Importance: Guarantees compliance with standards (HACCP, GDP) and minimises risk of cargo degradation.

Monitoring Solutions

• Main components:
  • Hardware: Sensors, modems, control units.
  • Software: Portals, mobile apps, reporting tools.
  • Services: Installation, maintenance, remote management, integration with customer IT systems.
• Provider examples: Thermo King TracKing, KRONE Telematics, Trane Cold Storage Monitoring, Carrier Lynx Fleet.

Operational Efficiency

• How telematics raises efficiency:
  • Reduces manual checks and paperwork (automated logging).
  • Faster response to faults (instant alarm → service action).
  • Optimises routes and utilisation (movement and consumption data analysis).
• Measurable benefits: Studies (e.g., Thermo King) show up to 80 % reduction in cargo loss, 10–15 % fuel savings, and fleet‑management time cut by dozens of percent.

Perishable Goods

• Typical commodities: Fresh food, fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, flowers, pharmaceuticals (vaccines, blood derivatives), some chemicals.
• Regulatory requirements: Mandatory temperature records for the whole journey (EU Regulation 852/2004, GDP for pharmaceuticals).
• Telematics value: Provides proof of proper conditions during transport and helps resolve claims.

Real‑Time Visibility

• What it means in logistics:
  • Instant overview of location and status of every container in the fleet.
  • Ability to predict ETA based on current position and operating conditions.
  • Connection with other supply‑chain actors (ports, freight forwarders, customers).
• Benefit: Maximises planning accuracy and minimises delays and costs.

Reefer Containers

• Technical parameters:
  • Standard sizes: 10’, 20’, and 40’ (ISO).
  • Temperature range: –70 °C to +45 °C (modern deep‑freeze units for vaccines, etc.).
  • Refrigeration units from Thermo King, Carrier, Daikin, Trane.
  • Optional backup diesel generator for off‑grid operation.
• Key equipment: Full integration with telematics, remote management and diagnostics capability.

Reefer Monitoring

• Specialised functions:
  • Dual‑channel measurement (set vs. actual temperature).
  • Shock temperature rise/fall alarms.
  • Monitoring of unit operating hours and predictive maintenance.
  • CO₂/O₂ concentration monitoring for special cargo (e.g., bananas, flowers).
• Remote intervention: Change set temperature or reset alarm via cloud portal.

Shipping Containers

• Types:
  • Standard dry containers.
  • Refrigerated (reefer) containers.
  • Special containers (open top, flat rack, tank).
• Telematics impact: Greatest benefit for reefers, where parameter monitoring is critical.

Supply Chain

• Telematics role:
  • Increases transparency across all chain links.
  • Enables fast communication and precise planning.
  • Simplifies audit and claim handling thanks to complete data history.

Temperature & Humidity

• Measurement:
  • Sensors placed at multiple points inside the container (front, rear, middle).
  • Logging frequency: typically every 5–15 minutes.
  • Log retention: up to several years in cloud archive.
• Significance: Evidence of proper transport conditions; basis for claims and audits.

Thermo King

• About the brand: World leader in transport refrigeration technology.
• Telematics platform TracKing®:
  • Web portal for fleet management.
  • Instant alarms, remote diagnostics, reporting.
  • Integration with customer ERP/TMS.
• Importance: Thermo King sets the standard for quality and innovation in refrigerated‑container monitoring.

Table: Comparison of Main Telematics Features (Thermo King, KRONE, Trane)

Modern Trends and the Future of Telematics in Refrigerated Containers

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning – big‑data analysis for fault prediction and route optimisation.
• Blockchain for immutable transport‑data audit trails.
• Green logistics – telematics as the basis for carbon‑footprint monitoring.
• Security standards – encryption, advanced user authentication, GDPR compliance.
• Automation and warehouse robotics – full integration with WMS and autonomous vehicles.

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