Tote Maritime Isla Bella vessel. Photo: Tote Maritime.

Orbcomm announced today that Tote Maritime Puerto Rico, a shipping carrier specializing in moving cargo between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, has selected Orbcomm to provide its GSM-based VesselConnect solution to remotely manage Tote Maritime’s fleet of smart refrigerated containers at sea.

Tote Maritime is using Orbcomm’s telematics solution to monitor and control its refrigerated container fleet transporting temperature-sensitive, high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and candy on land. The addition of VesselConnect extends connectivity to the water, providing Tote Maritime with visibility and control of its assets along the cold chain from point of origin to destination.

According to Orbcomm, VesselConnect allows Tote Maritime to receive critical data from its containers, including reefer status, temperature and slot location, while on the vessel or on shore through any internet-connected device. Tote Maritime can adjust reefer set points and conduct pre-trip inspections on-board, reducing manual labor and expediting cargo distribution on land. In addition, the VesselConnect system provides Tote Maritime with the temperature monitoring capabilities and records needed for compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act regulatory requirements.

According to Orbcomm, a key benefit of VesselConnect is enhanced crew efficiency and safety by eliminating the need to manually check the temperature status and condition of reefer containers. If an alarm occurs, it will be automatically displayed on the VesselConnect console, and an engineer can be promptly sent to check and resolve any issues. The system also identifies non-performing equipment, so shore-based staff can be alerted in advance that repairs are needed, thereby reducing time out of service as well as insurance claims.

Tote Maritime expects to complete deployment of Orbcomm’s VesselConnect solution in late Q2 2017.