AT&T, Maersk Sign Major IoT Deal

DALLAS -- A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, owner of one of the world’s largest shipping lines, is using AT&T Internet of Things (IoT) technology to connect its refrigerated containers. The agreement between Maersk and AT&T is one of the largest Industrial IoT deployments of its kind.

According to Machina Research, there will be 69 million M2M connections in the supply chain by 2023 with container tracking the biggest single area. AT&T can work with businesses to develop a solution that helps them meet their container monitoring needs. Companies can use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to create intelligent container fleets. They can improve operations with information that’s delivered based on specific business needs.

Here’s how it works. Each container has a monitoring device that collects data with sensors and sends it to a web portal. Managers can view the location of containers for cargo owners. Back-office workers can easily find containers. Drivers have the tools to be more productive because they have more information about their next load to pick up.

Maersk is working with AT&T to track and monitor the condition of refrigerated containers with perishable goods. Before, onsite supply chain managers would spend time manually checking the condition of each container. Maersk now has near-real time visibility into the conditions of each refrigerated container at almost any part of its journey during the supply chain. Their shipping supervisors can monitor mechanical performance to help ensure the equipment is in proper working condition.

“Every day we’re responsible for shipping perishable goods around the world,” said Maersk Line’s Vice President and Head of Assets & Deployments, Amdi Krogh. “AT&T’s technology helps us improve the level of services we provide, helping ensure they are optimized and arrive in the proper condition – no matter the length of the journey.”

Maersk has connected over 290,000 of its refrigerated containers to the AT&T network. Each unit uses a remote container device (RCD) that has a 3G High Temperature SIM card, a GPS unit, a ZigBee radio and antenna, and multiple interfaces for connecting into the refrigerated container’s controller. The RCD can operate with two-way connectivity from just about anywhere in the world.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)