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Use Case

Container tracking: how can you stay in control,
everywhere and at all times?

Every day, more than 250 million containers circulate around the world. Yet thousands of them go completely unmonitored. Officially, 661 containers were lost at sea in 2022. But according to several NGOs, the real figure exceeds 15,000 units per year.

Beyond losses at sea, the entire logistics tracking process remains fragmented. With limited visibility, a lack of alerts, and unstructured data, the supply chain is still too often operating blindly. As a result, delays accumulate, damages go undetected, and OTIF (On Time, In Full) performance suffers.

However, IoT and satellite connectivity now make reliable tracking possible — even in areas not covered by terrestrial networks.

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The Hidden Costs of Lost Containers

When a container falls into the sea, it’s visible. But the majority of logistics losses go unnoticed. Here’s what we often don’t see:

A production halt due to missing critical parts,
Goods damaged by temperature issues,
Emergency shipments triggered to make up for delays,
Penalties applied due to late deliveries.

Behind every visibility gap, there’s a cost. An operational impact. And often, a drop in the OTIF rate, which remains one of the key indicators of logistics performance. The problem doesn’t only lie in the incidents themselves. It lies in the lack of data to detect them, understand them, and react in time.

This issue is especially critical in intermodal transport: a container might move from ship to train, then to truck—disappearing from tracking systems for hours or even days.

Having reliable tracking, regardless of the mode of transport or the area covered, has become essential.

Logistics data processing chain: sensors, connectivity, platforms

Tracking a container requires more than just geolocation. You need to collect the right data, transmit it continuously, and make it usable—both for field teams and for information systems.

Each technology plays a specific role in this chain. They are complementary, not interchangeable.

What transmits the data: connectivity

To send data to a platform, you need reliable connectivity. In urban or port areas, GSM or low-power IoT networks (like LoRa or Sigfox) may be sufficient.
But once the container enters a dead zone—such as during ocean crossings, remote rail lines, or logistics deserts—only satellite connectivity ensures continuous transmission.

What displays the data: tracking platforms

Once the data is collected and transmitted, it’s aggregated into a software platform. That’s where it gains value: route visualization, near real-time alerts, performance reporting, and integration with logistics management systems (TMS, WMS, ERP, etc.).

In summary:

Sensors collect data in the field,
Connectivity (terrestrial or satellite) transmits it,
The platform turns it into operational visibility.

Satellite bridges the blind spots of the supply chain

Some parts of the world remain out of reach of terrestrial networks—such as remote railways, desert roads, and maritime routes. In these environments, tracking systems that rely solely on terrestrial networks fall short.

Satellite connectivity fills these gaps. It enables container tracking:

Continuously, without signal interruption,
Anywhere on the planet, with no need for local infrastructure,
With automatic transmission of critical data (location, temperature, shocks, door openings, etc.).

Satellite connectivity is especially valuable in three key scenarios:

Intercontinental flows, where signal loss is common,
Temperature-sensitive or high-value cargo (pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, electronics),
Industries with strict compliance requirements (safety, traceability, regulatory standards).

Another advantage: data can be accessed in near real time or at defined intervals, depending on operational needs.
This shifts the approach from reacting to incidents to anticipating them.
Satellite doesn't replace other technologies—it enhances them and ensures reliability, even in areas with no other available network.

Real-world use cases across all modes

Container tracking doesn’t stop at the port—it matters at every stage: at sea, by rail, by road, all the way to the production site or warehouse.

Maritime transport
When a container falls overboard, every minute counts. Satellite connectivity allows for quick geolocation of lost containers and immediate alerts in case of shocks or temperature anomalies—crucial for sensitive cargo.

Rail transport
On certain lines, no signal means no data. Thanks to satellite connectivity, wagons can still be tracked in signal-dead zones. Alerts are triggered in case of deviations or abnormal stops. This improves wagon rotation and overall operational control.

Road transport
Over long distances, visibility weakens. Near real-time tracking helps monitor cold chain integrity, detect route deviations or extended stops, and send alerts quickly when needed.

Industry & retail
Here, predictability is key. In-transit container tracking feeds planning tools, improves upstream-downstream coordination, reduces buffer stocks, and increases forecasting accuracy.

Across all scenarios, the goal remains the same: shifting from reactive to proactive transport management.

What near real-time tracking changes in practice

Near real-time tracking makes it possible to maintain control over complex, dispersed, and often unpredictable flows.

Locate, monitor, centralize
The first step to taking action: know exactly where containers are, their condition, and gather all relevant information in one place, including:

Knowing the exact position of a container at every moment,
Monitoring its condition: temperature, shocks, unauthorized openings,
Consolidating all information in a single tool.

React in time
When an issur occurs, the speed of response makes all the difference: it becomes possible to act rather than react.

Be alerted as soon as an anomaly happens,
Act before it leads to damage or delay,
Reduce disputes and avoid hidden costs.

Organize better
Field data helps adjust operations without overusing resources.

Eliminate unnecessary safety margins,
Adapt schedules based on real conditions,
Streamline routes, loading, and decision-making.

Keep your promises
What matters isn’t perfection—it’s reliability.

Inform customers promptly in case of issues,
Deliver on time and in full,
Improve OTIF rates without overspending.

Smart tracking is becoming the norm

Container tracking is evolving rapidly. By 2026, one in four containers will be equipped with a connected device. The IMO (International Maritime Organization) is imposing new rules: any container lost at sea must be reported immediately, with precise data on its location, contents, and condition.

Ports are automating. Platforms are interconnecting. Sensors are becoming smarter. Satellite technology, once reserved for specific uses, is now integrated into everyday tools.

What was once an advantage is becoming a prerequisite. Tomorrow, not being able to locate a container at any moment will no longer be acceptable. Tracking a container is not just about knowing where it is.

It’s about securing the cargo, streamlining flows, anticipating risks, and keeping commitments.

With IoT solutions equipped with Kinéis connectivity, tracking becomes global, continuous, and reliable—even far from terrestrial networks.