Korean company Samsung entered into an agreement with locally-based GE Security, Siemens Building Technologies and Mitsubishi Corp. that would result in increased distribution of a container ship security system in Asia.The CommerceGuard System, developed by GE Security, consists of a device that attaches magnetically to international cargo containers and records whenever the container door opens. Fixed and hand-held readers allow employees to monitor the container's status along the supply chain. Authorized cargo owners and government employees can access the information from a secure Web site.The devices cost $100 each and are attached magnetically to the shipping containers.
The system will not make its official commercial debut until 2007, but Starbucks already uses it to ship its coffee to the United States from foreign ports."We're trying to secure global trade," said Randy Koch, general manager of GE Security's Cargo Security and CommerceGuard AB. "(Samsung) is a great brand with a great reputation and a great presence in Asia. This goes on containers that goes all over the world, so you have to have a strong presence globally."GE Security distributes the product in North America, Siemens Building Technologies will distribute it in Europe, and Mitsubishi handles parts of China and Japan. Samsung will extend the distribution to the rest of Asia.The company will roll out the 3.0 version of the product in the first quarter of 2007 and will increase production of the security devices and readers to meet global demand. CommerceGuard sells the earlier, 2.1 version in limited quantities.Despite the increase in production, GE Security's local office may not hire additional workers because of the deal.
CommerceGuard makes the devices at GE's offices in Oregon."It's a very large market," said Connie Higgins, spokeswoman for GE Security.Ten million containers are imported into the United States per year, Higgins said, and there are an estimated 15 million containers in circulation."We entered into an agreement to improve the security of ocean-going shipping containers throughout the world," Higgins said. "It's important for businesses to ship goods internationally. But it's also important for people all over the country who want and deserve protection from international terrorist threats."