Savi Networks Reaches Landmark e-Seals Deployment

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Savi Networks announced it has tagged 25,000 commercial cargo shipments with standards-based electronic seals (e-Seals) through its global wireless network.

Set up at port facilities that handle 20% of world trade, the SaviTrak information service monitors the location and security status of commercial cargo shipments in real time.

The company has deployed data-capture infrastructure at the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Savannah and Norfolk; the Chinese ports of Hong Kong, Yantian, Shekou, Shatian, Chiwan and Mawan; the Korean ports of Busan and Kwangyang; the European ports of Rotterdam (Netherlands), and Felixstowe (United Kingdom); and, the ports in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Laem Chabang, Thailand.

Customers using SaviTrak in Asia and South America have reported that the real-time data the system captures from shipments tagged with active RFID e-Seals enhances security visibility, speeds Customs clearance and reduces in-transit inventory costs.

Emprevi Ltda., a logistics and security firm, for example, says the Savi Networks system has cut security costs in Colombia by $300 per container trip for its customers, which include Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Cadbury Adams.

Western Digital, a provider of information storage products, says per-trip costs have been reduced by $40 for point-to-point shipments from its manufacturing facilities to Royal Thai Customs authorities in Bangkok because the automated security devices speed government clearances.

“E-Seal-enabled information networks are a key step toward implementing Customs ‘green lanes’ that add extra security, new velocity to global supply chains and greater efficiency for our customers,” says Neil Smith, chief executive officer of Savi Networks.

Smith expects the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement—that it will mandate mechanical seals on all containers coming into the U.S. after Oct. 15—to generate more interest in e-Seals.

Smith views the pending mechanical seal mandate as a logical first step toward widespread deployment of ISO 18185-based e-Seals, based in part on the international standard for mechanical seals, ISO 17712.

“While mechanical seals don’t provide the rich benefits of electronic seals, ISO 18185 does incorporate bolt-seal standards, which helps accelerate the trend toward greater use of e-Seals to automate seal verification processes,” Smith says.

Savi Networks is currently working with international Customs organizations on global container pilot projects utilizing e-Seals based on the ISO 18185 standard to evaluate their effectiveness for faster green-lane clearances.