By Editorial Staff

Feb 6,2007_ Horizon Lines has established the ocean container shipping industry's first fully functional intermodal active radio frequency identification (RFID) solution providing customers real-time shipment visibility during all phases of transit, the carrier has announced.

The system was engineered and implemented by Horizon Services Group, the information technology subsidiary of Horizon Lines.

The active RFID-based real-time tracking system, when matched with Horizon's Web-based event management system, offers shippers shipment visibility and supply chain efficiencies by providing detailed, real-time shipment information throughout the container's transit from origin loading facility through to final destination, according to the carrier.

Horizon Lines said it is in the process of tagging its entire fleet of containers serving the Alaskan trade with RFID tags provided by hardware manufacturer IDENTEC SOLUTIONS. The program will also include the installation of RFID readers at distribution centers, terminals and key Alaska highway routes.

Safeway, the top grocery retailer in the Alaska market, has joined the carrier's effort by participating in a pilot testing program, currently underway, with the new RFID-enabled visibility solution to monitor shipments from its Pacific Northwest distribution centers to stores across Alaska.

Ken Privratsky, vice president and general manager for the Alaska Division at Horizon Lines said: "Just-in-time delivery is a fact of life in Alaska, just as it is in many other places. RFID offers significant advantages to shippers who seek greater visibility of their deliveries and more efficiency in supply chain operations."

source:  www.sdcexec.com