China International Marine Containers Ltd. (CIMC) and Savi Technology are establishing a partnership to co-develop "smart and secure" shipping containers.

The containers will wirelessly transmit real-time intelligence on its contents, along with its condition, location and security status.
The smart containers developed by CIMC and Savi are a key part of a newly emerging class of in-transit visibility systems for logistics that will improve efficiency and inventory management, while ensuring the security and integrity of the shipment. These solutions range from external electronic bolt seals to factory-installed intrusion detection, sensing and tracking systems.
"There are many ways of making a container 'smart'," said John Coburn, chairman of the Strategic Council on Security Technology (SCST). "The right answer is to build a smart container system where many enabling technologies can be modularly integrated as needed. CIMC and Savi are building a system that will encourage innovation and flexibility in addressing both security and operational objectives."
Both companies will develop the "smart and secure" container of the future to improve end-to-end operational efficiency and shipment security while addressing international ISO standards and U.S. programs to counter threats of terrorists concealing weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers.
CIMC is the one of the largest manufacturer of freight containers in the world, holding more than 750,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalents). In addition to supplying more than 100 types of container products, CIMC is actively involved in airport equipment, trailer, chassis manufacturing and professional services.
Savi Technology, which provides real-time solutions for the security and management of supply chain assets, also is a co-founder of the rapidly expanding Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) initiative. Today, SST has more than 65 partners, including 20 Fortune 500 shippers and a dozen world-class solution providers, who together have been involved in transporting about 1,000 containers into the busiest U.S. ports.
Partners in SST include PSA Corporation, which is based in Singapore, as well as Hutchison Port Holdings and China Merchants the two largest terminal operators in China. The consortium also includes the three largest terminal operators in the United States -- Stevedoring Services of America (SSA Marine), Marine Terminals Corporation (MTC), and P Ports. Savi will help bring together the collective experience of the SST initiative and SST technology partners, such as Qualcomm, Sun Microsystems, Symbol, Manugistics, EXE, RAE Systems, E.J. Brooks, One Seal, SAIC, and Transamerica's GreyBox subsidiary to create the best-available next generation of smart and secure containers.
In addition, Savi has had a decade of experience in helping to build and support the world's largest wireless cargo security and tracking system, called the Total Asset Visibility (TAV) network. TAV includes a software platform linked with automatic identification technology infrastructure at more than 750 locations in more than 40 countries and monitors in excess of 300,000 conveyances equipped with smart radio tags.
The companies plan to introduce the first version of their product for use in the Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) network during the fourth quarter of this year. Savi is primarily responsible for the design and development of the smart seal tag's circuit board using its proprietary EchoPoint technology. CIMC will have primary responsibility for the mechanical design of the container integrated electronic seal. Both companies will jointly develop how to integrate the electronic tags onto new containers and retrofit them onto existing containers.
For additional information, visit www.savi.com .