European Datacomm is proud to be a partner in the VELP+ Worlwide Container Monitoring project announced by VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek/Flanders Institute for Logistics), April 20, 2010. EDC76 CSD tracking & tracing technology and satellite data communications services are used to send data from the container to the VELP+ platform.

PRESS RELEASE

A FIRST FOR FLANDERS: WORLDWIDE CONTAINER MONITORING THANKS TO VELP+

ANTWERP – On Tuesday the 20th of April, the first vessel left the port of Durban (South Africa) with on board the first full container which can be monitored flawlessly, until reaching the place of destination, thanks to a device attached to it. This corridor was set up in cooperation with Toyota Motor Europe and Customs to test the VeLP+ platform, the Flanders e-Logistics Platform, in real time. This will give Flemish ports a competitive advantage because containers with green light will no longer be checked, which means time will be gained.

VIL began developing the Proof of Concept (POC) for the VeLP+ Platform in October 2008. The VeLP+ Platform is an open and neutral communications platform to track containers and to manage the related information flows, in terms of both security and container content, and the related services.

The aim of this breakthrough project is to make container transport more reliable, more efficient, safer and faster and in that way, making Flanders more ‘attractive’.

The VeLP+ Platform helps Flanders to position itself as a key region for implementing Secured Trade Lanes through the innovative use of tracking & tracing technology. A Container Security Device (CSD) is attached to the container. The CSD sends information via satellite to the VeLP+ Platform on the location and integrity/status of the container.

In the VeLP+ Platform, this information is linked to the content of the container. This information is dispatched to the various parties in the chain, with the customs being the most important party.

Noël Colpin, General Administrator of Customs and Excise with the Federal public service Finance, supports this VIL project completely: “VeLP+ is a source of information for all parties in the chain and helps to simplify customs procedures.”

The VeLP+ POC has now entered the real-life test phase. A Toyota container, equipped with a CSD, left the port of Durban (South Africa) this morning. Over the next four weeks, until arrival at the Toyota Parts Centre Europe at Diest, it will be tested and followed. Via the VeLP+ Platform, the location of the containers and their content can be located in real time, the status of the CSD’s can be checked (is the seal intact or broken) and it can be determined whether the containers have been opened, with or without authorisation. The VeLP+ Platform also shows all of the steps/events in the trip, both those in the past and those expected in the future.

An important feature is that these tests are the first practical tests of the so-called ‘green lanes’. In a green lane, customs gives the cargo a green light from the moment the container is loaded until it arrives at its final destination. That means that the goods flow will not be stopped for a customs check, which will save a lot of time. The basis of these green lanes are agreements between the Belgian and South African Customs (South African Revenue Service - SARS) authorities. The support of SARS in this project turned out to be crucial in putting up the corridor.

END OF THE PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION

Flanders Institute for Logistics - Isabel Elst, Communication Responsible  Tel: 03/229.05.07 GSM: 0485/85.90.97 E-mail: isabel.elst@vil.be

PROJECT PARTNERS

The Flanders Institute for Logistics

The Flanders Institute for Logistics (VIL) aims – by acting as a competence pool – to support the logistics sector in Flanders sustainably and improve its competitiveness. It wants to be a platform with specific answers to relevant logistic issues. In that way, the VIL will grow to become a centre that develops, collects and disseminates logistics expertise. It innovates and encourages innovation. It is a driving force behind the promotion of the Flemish logistics sector and of logistics in Flanders. More information www.vil.be

General administration of customs and excise

The General administration of customs and excise stands for the protection of the society and the stimulation of international trade through management of the external borders and the assurance of the safety and security in the logistical chain. It is a part of the Federal public service of Finance and employs approximately 3800 persons. In this project the General administration of customs and excise contributed by creative and innovative use of the existing customs legislation in the perspective of her mission. More information: http://fiscus.fgov.be/interfdanl

South African Revenue Service

The Customs and Border Management division of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is the first line of control to secure the country’s interests by controlling the movement of goods into, from and through the Customs territory. SARS’ mandate is to ensure compliance with the policies and laws of the country applicable to the cross-border movement of goods, while ensuring the facilitation of legitimate trade, the combating of smuggling and securing South Africa’s borders. With a platform of cooperation already in existence and a view to secure the supply chain by establishing ‘green trade lanes’, SARS has agreed to collaborate with the Belgian Customs Administration on the Flanders e-Logistics Platform project.

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME)

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly and indirectly employs around 80,000 people in Europe and has invested over €7 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are supported by a network of 31 National Marketing and Sales Companies across 56 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine manufacturing plants. In 2009, Toyota sold 882.000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe.

TPCE supplies parts and accessories to the national depots of NMSCs in Europe, to the regional TME depots and to approx. 550 dealers in Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the North of France. Established in January 1993, TPCE currently operates on a 100,000m² floor surface, employing 749 people. Approximately 9.6 million pieces are handled per month.

For more information, visit www.toyota.eu.

EUROPEAN DATACOMM (EDC)

EUROPEAN DATACOMM (EDC) was established in 1984 in Antwerp and was a pioneer in electronic messaging developments in the 1980s. Today, EDC is an important player in the field of global satellite communication and has subsidiaries throughout the world.

Backed by more than 20 years of experience EDC offers tracking & tracing applications and provides security and telematics solutions to the automotive sector. EDC is also a service provider of first choice for satellite- and GSM based voice- and data communication services for important customers in sectors like defense, shipping, a.s.o… EDC delivers it's services worldwide to governmental institutions and business organisations, as well as to private customers.

A decenium of technological knowledge is interweaved in the EDCTrack platform, a unique safety platform, which coordinates a network of strategic partners and specialised service providers in the field of alarm monitoring, mobile telephony, roadside assistance, satellite communication and mapping technology, linked together by the EDC Network Control Center to offer one integrated service platform.

More than 10,000 customers trust on EDC's broad knowledge and experience, and high-quality standards of products and services.

For more information: www.europeandatacomm.com  Tel: +32 3/210.15.00  E-mail: info@edchq.com

Or read more on this subject: