Chassis provider Direct ChassisLink Inc. (DCLI) announced Wednesday that it is adding GPS tracking technology to its fleet of more than 152,000 domestic 53-foot chassis.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company is the largest provider of container chassis for maritime and domestic transportation in the U.S., operating more than 415 locations near ports and depots. The marine chassis fleet consists of around 138,000 units.
The upgrades will begin immediately and are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The amount of investment required to upgrade the fleet was not disclosed.
Real-time tracking technology provides precise location data whether equipment is in use, stacked or otherwise idle. Sensors can signal that a container is mounted on a chassis, and geofencing technology can alert customers when entering and leaving a site.
Increased visibility is expected to improve chassis utilization and better identify available inventory. The technology offers customers continuous shipment visibility, faster processing times and optimized billing.
“Equipping our entire DCL53 chassis fleet with GPS technology is a testament to our ongoing mission to lead the intermodal industry with innovative solutions and unparalleled fleet quality,” DCLI CEO Lee Newitt said in a press release.
DCLI said the technology will enable improved mileage tracking, allowing maintenance schedules to be met and equipment downtime to be avoided. DCLI will also be able to better locate devices that are subject to inspection by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The company plans to use the data collected to improve device positioning across the network.
DCLI was spun off from Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO) in 2009 and sold in 2012. It is currently owned by a consortium of investors including Canadian company Omers Infrastructure and Singapore-based GIC.
More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden:
Comments are closed.