Smart Containers Are Here: ZIM Expands Real-Time Tracking to its Dry Container Fleet

At ZIM, listening to our customers has always been at the heart of what we do. It is what led us to develop ZIMonitor, an advanced temperature-control monitoring system for our refrigerated fleet. This device, now fully integrated into our refrigerated fleet, paired with the 24/7 Global Service Center, has become an industry-leading offering, providing growers and exporters peace of mind knowing the exact condition of their high-value cargo throughout its journey.

Most recently, we saw a growing demand, this time, from customers shipping dry cargo, who were looking for a similar level of peace of mind, and this feedback sparked our next move.

We’re now excited to announce a major step forward: the integration of smart container technology into our dry container fleet. This transformation is already underway, with the first wave of our dry containers already installed and receiving strong, positive feedback – all made possible through our innovative partnership with Hoopo.

Why Smart Containers for Dry Cargo?

Just as we transformed reefer monitoring technology by focusing on what mattered most to our customers – control and transparency into their sensitive cargo, we are now applying that same customer-driven approach to dry cargo.

While the needs are different, the stakes are just as high.

For refrigerated cargo, temperature control is essential. For dry containers, it’s about knowing where the container is and what is happening to it – especially during the inland leg, where visibility can be more limited. This uncertainty created challenges for businesses managing complex global supply chains, but with this new solution, that changes.

Our dry containers are gradually being installed with new state-of-the-art trackers, making them smart, connected, and visible throughout the entire journey – from the origin warehouse, across the ocean, through inland transport, all the way to the final destination. With the smart container, even gate-in and gate-out events at terminals will be fully traceable.

The Power of Real-Time Tracking

Thanks to Hoopo’s innovative solution, our smart container fleet is designed to offer benefits like:

• Integrated Door Detection – Equipped with light and laser sensors to detect door activity.
• Real-Time Shipment Tracking – Continuous monitoring of container movement across all transport phases.
• Safety – ATEX-1-certified and compliant with industry safety standards for activation on ZIM’s green LNG vessels.
• Battery Life That Lasts – Over 12 years of power covering the container’s entire lifespan.
• Tracker as a Hub – Enables connectivity via Bluetooth with beacon sensors positioned inside the container.

A Game-Changer: Integrated Door Detection

ZIM is proud to be the most advanced carrier in the industry with an integrated door sensor built directly into the smart container device.

Significant improvements have already been made in this area. This unique system now combines light sensors to detect when a door opens, and additional infra-red sensors mounted inside the container to measure and confirm whether that opening exceeds its distance limits, ultimately providing up to 99.9%(!) accuracy in identifying door events. Whether it’s a standard customs inspection or an unexpected opening mid-journey, the tracker captures it, and you’ll know instantly.

Track Smarter. Decide Faster.

The benefits go far beyond visibility. For customers managing complex logistics, this solution brings new levels of control. By being able to have full transparency into the containers’ entire life cycle for both exports and imports, businesses can make smarter decisions, improve warehouse operations, and gain a holistic view of their supply chain.

We’re already working on additional features including customized alerts, the ability to offer predictive arrival time estimates, better inventory management based on current and historical data, and ultimately improving the device’s integration across the full logistics network, all to provide the highest possible level of certainty to our customers.