Skip to content
Search AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

inbound

RFID makes benefit nation of Kazakhstan

The Customs Control Agency (CCA) in Kazakhstan has implemented an RFID-based cargo monitoring system at several checkpoints on its border with China.

DC Velocity Staff
By DC Velocity StaffJul 30, 2008
DC Velocity Staff
See Full Bio

Thanks to RFID, even Borat, the outrageous character played by British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, won't be able to pull a fast one on customs agents in his native land, the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Customs Control Agency (CCA) in that country has implemented an RFID-based cargo monitoring system at several checkpoints on its border with China. Local systems integrator Science Technical Center installed the technology, which relies on an integrated RFID system from Hi- G-Tek of Rockville, Md. That system includes Hi-G-Tek's outdoor data readers, handheld readers, and reusable electronic locks to monitor vehicles. The RFID readers transmit a programmed electronic manifest for the contents of each truck when it enters the country, and on-board sensors issue alerts if anyone tampers with the locks.

Kazakhstan's customs authorities bought the system to help prevent black market smuggling and increase customs revenues. According to Rashid Abderzakov, Science Technical Center's general manager, some $2 billion worth of trade passes through the mountainous nation en route from China to Europe each year. The system has been so successful in reducing cargo crime at the border, he said in a statement, that the CCA plans to install it at all border checkpoints.

ArticleTransportationSC Services
august 2008
ArticleTransportationSC Services
august 2008

The Latest

CEOs: Our supply chains have a resiliency problem
Article

CEOs: Our supply chains have a resiliency problem

Hurricane Francine threatens supply chains
Featured

Hurricane Francine threatens supply chains

More Stories

Image of earth made of sculpted paper, surrounded by trees and green

Creating a sustainability roadmap for the apparel industry: interview with Michael Sadowski

Michael Sadowski
Michael Sadowski

Most of the apparel sold in North America is manufactured in Asia, meaning the finished goods travel long distances to reach end markets, with all the associated greenhouse gas emissions. On top of that, apparel manufacturing itself requires a significant amount of energy, water, and raw materials like cotton. Overall, the production of apparel is responsible for about 2% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report titled

Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zeroby the Apparel Impact Institute. Founded in 2017, the Apparel Impact Institute is an organization dedicated to identifying, funding, and then scaling solutions aimed at reducing the carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of the apparel and textile industries.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Supply Chain Short Takes: SICK
Videos

Supply Chain Short Takes: SICK

xeneta air-freight.jpeg

Air cargo carriers enjoy 24% rise in average spot rates

The global air cargo market’s hot summer of double-digit demand growth continued in August with average spot rates showing their largest year-on-year jump with a 24% increase, according to the latest weekly analysis by Xeneta.

Xeneta cited two reasons to explain the increase. First, Global average air cargo spot rates reached $2.68 per kg in August due to continuing supply and demand imbalance. That came as August's global cargo supply grew at its slowest ratio in 2024 to-date at 2% year-on-year, while global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising +11%.

Keep ReadingShow less
seegrid CR1_Renders_1-2_11zon.png

Seegrid lands $50 million backing for autonomous lift trucks

Seegrid Corp., which makes autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for pallet material handling, has landed $50 million in new financial backing to accelerate its autonomous lift truck initiatives, which are generating more growth than expected, the company said today.

“Unrelenting labor shortages and wage inflation, accompanied by increasing consumer demand, are driving rapid market adoption of autonomous technologies in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics,” Seegrid CEO and President Joe Pajer said in a release. “This is particularly true in the area of palletized material flows; areas that are addressed by Seegrid’s autonomous tow tractors and lift trucks. This segment of the market is just now ‘coming into its own,’ and Seegrid is a clear leader.”

Keep ReadingShow less
littler Screenshot 2024-09-04 at 2.59.02 PM.png

Congressional gridlock and election outcomes complicate search for labor

Worker shortages remain a persistent challenge for U.S. employers, even as labor force participation for prime-age workers continues to increase, according to an industry report from labor law firm Littler Mendelson P.C.

The report cites data showing that there are approximately 1.7 million workers missing from the post-pandemic workforce and that 38% of small firms are unable to fill open positions. At the same time, the “skills gap” in the workforce is accelerating as automation and AI create significant shifts in how work is performed.

Keep ReadingShow less
stax PR_13August2024-NEW.jpg

Toyota picks vendor to control smokestack emissions from its ro-ro ships

Stax Engineering, the venture-backed startup that provides smokestack emissions reduction services for maritime ships, will service all vessels from Toyota Motor North America Inc. visiting the Toyota Berth at the Port of Long Beach, according to a new five-year deal announced today.

Beginning in 2025 to coincide with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, STAX will become the first and only emissions control provider to service roll-on/roll-off (ro-ros) vessels in the state of California, the company said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Copyright ©2024.