Wireless automated reefer monitoring for TecPlata

Designed to serve the new generation of large container vessels calling at the River Plate, TecPlata is being developed by ICTSI under a 30-year concession secured in late 2008. The first phase of the terminal is due to open at the end of the year.

The RFID-based ‘plug and play’ RAMS system will provide TecPlata with remote real-time reefer monitoring and control capabilities, allowing the company to safeguard the condition of chilled and frozen container cargoes transiting the terminal. Monitoring refrigerated containers automatically from a central location, rather than staff having to manually check equipment in the yard stacks, will also contribute to terminal safety.

Identec solutions will initially supply 500 RFID tags, out of 1,020 reefer points deployed at the terminal, plus associated RFID readers, to plug into the serial ports of reefers stored there, predominantly in rack locations. The tags will provide real-time temperature reports and alerts, interfacing via the readers with the terminal operating system to allow for continuous monitoring and rapid response to any incidents.