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Leveraging IoT for Efficient Fleet Management: A Case Study on Tropical Shipping
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
Applicable Industries
- Equipment & Machinery
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Maintenance
Use Cases
- Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
- Track & Trace of Assets
Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Tropical Shipping, a cargo transportation service provider operating a fleet of 17 vessels and thousands of assets, faced significant challenges in maintaining its diverse range of equipment. The company's operation is not a classic roadgoing fleet but involves managing the movement of containers on and off their vessels. The priority for Tropical Shipping was equipment reliability, as any lack of upkeep and reliability could greatly impact the business. The company was responsible for maintaining the quality of equipment for operations, stevedoring, warehousing, and security. This meant satisfying not only external customers but also internal customers. Additionally, the company had to comply with various legislations, particularly those related to health and safety. Managing such a diverse range of equipment and complying with numerous regulations required a robust system that could provide real-time, accurate data.
About The Customer
Tropical Shipping is a leading cargo transportation service provider that operates from Canada and South Florida to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. The company operates a diverse fleet of 17 vessels and thousands of assets, including five mobile harbour cranes, 18 straddle carriers, and various reach stackers and forklifts capable of handling up to 80,000-pound capacity. Tropical Shipping is committed to maintaining the quality of its equipment for operations, stevedoring, warehousing, and security. The company prioritizes equipment reliability and compliance with health and safety regulations.
The Solution
Tropical Shipping addressed these challenges by implementing a good maintenance regimen and fostering cooperation between various departments. The company also leveraged technology to manage the wealth of information it received. The key was to have real-time, accurate data that could drive self-correcting behavior. The company focused on utilizing its existing systems to their maximum capabilities rather than investing in new software. This involved examining how the systems were being used and whether they could be used to their full extent to satisfy the operation. If not, the company considered upgrading or improving the software. Tropical Shipping also aimed to be proactive or preventive rather than reactive, constantly looking at ways to improve and use KPIs and create reports to their advantage. The company was also exploring ways to automate more to reduce the workload for employees and be more efficient and productive.
Operational Impact
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