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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - CITRIMACC (Circulation Pilot with Continuous Control of Multi-Modal Air Cargo Containers)

Teaser

Summary

In the wake of September 11th and following increased emphasis on passenger air travel security, the air cargo system has become a potential target for terrorists. European countries have undertaken various regulatory approaches that involve technology and operational measures aimed at addressing the perceived security threats in the air cargo industry. Air cargo transportation system is designed to provide fast and efficient shipment of goods, two features that make it highly vulnerable to potential security threats. The main objective of the project is to implement and validate in real-life environments a system that addresses these security risks and is aligned with the time and cost realities of the air cargo industry.

The project concept is to develop a smart and secure inter-modal cargo container, sufficiently light to not adversely affect air transport costs, but sufficiently robust to allow mechanical handling and be used by road/rail transport. The container together with an information exchange platform will allow business to business transportation of goods, reduce handling of actual goods, eliminate tampering risks, lessen cargo processing time, reduce time of security screening.
These features are achieved by combining a collapsible, light weight container, made of advanced composite materials, with a mechanical high-end locking system. The lock system features a secure PIN-code lock operated remotely through encrypted communication channels, electronic shipping documents (e-freight), secure redundant server based tracking and monitoring, 24/7 fully redundant communication systems based on multiple technologies technology for continuous real-time visibility. The Lockbar contains technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and GRPS.

The consortium assembles research performing SMEs with unique and complementary expertise, who will produce 200+ Cargoboxes with 200+ Lockbars, monitoring and communication capability, the server based tracking system and depot infrastructure sets, obtain the relevant approvals from FAA/EASA, and deploy the solution with the pilot participants. Through these pilot participants the Cargoboxes will be shipped through five closed loop transport lanes around the globe. The project will contain the selection of participants in the entire value chain (shippers, logistics services providers (LSPâ€™s), handling agents, airlines, customs, forwarders and consignees), and select several diverse multi-modal transport lanes to execute the pilot. On the basis of these five lanes, the Cargoboxes will be tested and data will be collected, resulting in project results composed by an independent auditor.

The project results, as compared with the current packaging, transport and security management methods, will be widely disseminated via industry associations such as IATA, TSA and TIACA. A full industrialization and commercialization plan will be developed in the course of the project.

Work performed

In early October 2016 it became apparent that there existed serious Consortium issues regarding Interbox Holding BV and the way this partner viewed the project and its relationship with the other partners. Agreements made in Executive board and General Assembly meetings between February and July regarding management of the project and design authority were rescinded by Interbox in a dramatic and unilateral manner.
This act was Interbox communication to partner companies and the EC project office on 9th October. This communication includes serious allegations against other partners it also misrepresented the general project situation and rejected consortium decisions agreed by all partners (including Interbox themselves), in addition the communication states that Interbox would not carry out trial activities with boxes constructed by the partners. This crucial statement made continuation of the project with the existing consortium partnership impossible, there being no point continuing to build boxes and tracking systems if the partner responsible for the execution of the trial would refuse to use these products.
The project has therefore been terminated.

The state of play at point of termination is the completion of all design documents, IT tracking and management systems, and full preparation for production phase to be followed by large scale trial. It is uncertain if sufficient progress has been made in building a user community of of interested commercial enterprises or whether any significant progress has been made on commercialization or certification.

Final results

Feedback from our network of business contacts with specific regard to the need in the air cargo sector for innovation of this type has identified complimentary aspects of the potential impact of the CITRIMACC proposal.
Broadly speaking the focus involves security and terrorism, but also to be considered is world trade and the fact that nations such as those in Europe are particularly reliant on trade in high value, high profit goods.
Air freight is a crucial component of world trade of high value goods, comprising 35% by value of all goods transported worldwide (by volume or weight less than 1%).

Security improvements in air cargo operations remains the key focus of the project. The concept however could be considered as a disruptive technology in air cargo operations providing new ways to increase efficiency and reduce airfreight costs.
The commercial potential of the concept is perhaps far greater than we as as the instigators of the project considered possible in the planning stages. We feel future consultation and planning should take full account of both security and the potentials regarding cost saving.