E-Seals Improve Cargo Security Options
By Joshua Hughes
Date Posted: 6/1/2007
How do you protect something when it’s out of reach in a far away place? Electronic cargo seals (e-Seals) may be the answer, and Savi Technology, a supplier of RFID-based asset management solutions, is preparing to license its technology to accelerate the worldwide use of these security devices.
Savi has pioneered technology that incorporates the new ISO 18185 standard for electronic cargo seals. These devices will help safeguard international shipments, especially high value items. Containerized cargo accounts for 90% of the world’s trade. Nearly 200 million containers move through the world’s ports each year. That’s a big market with a lot of opportunity for thieves or terrorists.
The SAFE Port Act of 2006 called for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to define the voluntary use of container security devices in accordance with international standards to achieve more rapid clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
With this in mind, Savi has announced its “Quick Start” licensing program for its e-Seals intellectual property. Savi’s technology incorporates ISO 18185, the new standard for electronic cargo seals. This move will ensure that a wide range of e-Seals from multiple vendors will be able to communicate with multiple information networks that will monitor and manage the location, security status and condition of cargo containers that are being transported all over the globe.
E-Seals are an emerging class of active RFID devices that incorporate both a mechanical locking mechanism and an active RFID module to provide wireless alerting and location capabilities. This level of security is not currently possible with traditional bolt seals, which are easily breached.
Savi Technology predicted that licensing its intellectual property for the tag-to-reader communication requirements in ISO 18185 will increase the worldwide use of e-Seals, improve interoperability among RFID networks and drive greater affordability of basic e-Seals.
