Anyone that’s relocated internationally would be familiar with a range of anxieties. Will a favourite watch get pilfered? Did the art glass collection get safely packed? Is the Louis XIV credenza being treated like an Ikea sideboard?
As the days and weeks pass these concerns mutate into irrational fears, with the apex reached when one finds oneself wondering “is the boat even still afloat?”.
Enter the Internet of Things.
Following one’s cargo around the world is actually now more precise than tracking an online purchase. Input your Container No. on the website of the shipper and one is provided information such as the vessel name(s) and transhipment ports where the container will be transferred from one ship to the next.
One can then enter the vessel name into marinetraffic.com for a real time location and speed.
So for instance, as I type this on Wednesday morning I see the YM Seattle (pictured above without the Disco onboard) is berthed at the Nankokita dock in Osaka.
So it’s not sunk, at least as yet.
The Seattle is due to arrive in Pusan, South Korea tomorrow. Once there the container will be transhipped onto the AS Fiona (which I see is presently doing 9.2kmh as it enters the port of Pusan). We’re looking good so far.
With shipping proceeding to plan, on Saturday we fly to Beijing en route to Vladivostok. Next update from China!
Thanks to Brent at Bikes Abroad for the tracking info, and Adam and Kym for Shipspotting 101.