Practical approaches towards enhanced security and visibility in international intermodal container supply chains

Nowadays, main participants in international container supply chains require better transparency for their shipments across their extended supply chains. Since the tragedy 9/11 another challenging issue 'assuring of container chains' has a powerful impact on the management of international supply chains. Concurrently, the facilitation of global trade is a crucial element of customs agencies' mission. This objective can be achieved by eliminating duplication and delays in international supply. However, the process of simplification should also adequately reflect the requirements of increased security. This paper demonstrates practical approach based on the experience obtained from two EU‐funded research projects: INTEGRITY and CHINOS. The project CHINOS is dealing with optimisation of visibility and security, and uses innovative IT technology like RFID and automatic damage documentation in order to support transport and terminal operators. Based on the existing tendency to secure global trade from industry and customs authorities' sides, the project INTEGRITY developed and implemented an IT system serving both issues at the same time by creating supply chain visibility. The main goal and the main benefits of both projects CHINOS and INTEGRITY are to make door‐to‐door transport chains more secure and visible.