CUNARD DEVELOPS CONTAINER SYSTEM

An integrated, on-line computer system for the tracking and control of containers and associated equipment, and the processing of cargo documentation, is being developed by Cunard, the shipping group. To be known as "Speed", the system is being developed in conjunction with other international partners of Atlantic Container Line. The computer will monitor and control export consignments from the time they are booked until they are at sea. Data on the consignments will be transmitted to North American by computer-to-computer links, where a similar system will take over until the consignments reach their destinations. A reverse flow of information will operate for imports. Up to 30,000 pieces of equipment will be tracked, with online access to 13,000 consignments available at any one time. A distributed type of system has been chosen, with a central Burroughs B3700 to be installed at Southampton and linked to five Allied Business Systems Multibus minicomputers in Southampton, Liverpool, Glasgow and London. The minicomputers will have further links to the respective ports, with a total of about 40 video terminals and 13 printers on-line. Total value of the new hardware is about 600,000 pounds.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • No further information in article.
• Corporate Authors:

  London Times

  P.O. Box 7, New Printing House Square
  London,   England 
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic control; Automation; Container handling; Containerization; Containers; Control systems; Freight documents; Information processing; Information storage and retrieval systems; Shipping
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic control systems; Computerized cargo data; Container control; Container tracing
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00149340
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 2001 12:00AM