Case study: securely transitioning luxury goods to maritime transport with Unit One

In the luxury goods industry, quality and precision are paramount. A world renowned brand exemplifies these values by not only setting trends with its top-quality products but also by pioneering innovative logistics. To uphold its commitment to excellence, the company embarked on a pilot with AELER, utilising the advanced Unit One shipping container to ensure the safe and efficient transport of high-value goods. 

Traditionally, the organisation shipped this particular cargo by air. However, to innovate and improve sustainability, the goods were transported by sea using Unit One. Between January and March 2024, the luxury brand's goods embarked on five meticulously planned routes from Europe to various ports in Asia, North America, and Oceania. During transit, the Unit One shipping containers protected their valuable cargo with the utmost care and precision, promising a new era in luxury logistics.

Objectives of the transition to smart containers 

High-value goods require safe and efficient shipping conditions that, up until now, only expensive and environmentally damaging air freight could deliver. The transition to Unit One smart containers addresses this critical need by offering advanced features designed to make shipping smarter, cheaper, and more sustainable. Unit One's standout characteristics include stronger composite walls, native insulation, and integrated IoT devices. These innovations ensure the safe and efficient transport of precious cargo across continents, meeting the stringent requirements of luxury logistics.

Several critical objectives drove the luxury brand’s transition to Unit One, each targeting the efficiency, sustainability, and security of the logistics process. 

• CO2 emissions reduction: A key objective of this trial was to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods. By shifting from air to sea freight and utilising AELER's smart containers, the aim was to reduce CO2 emissions significantly.
• Cargo protection: Maintaining the quality of the luxury brand's products during transit was paramount during the trial. The AELER Unit One containers were tasked with ensuring that temperature variations remained within a stable range of -10 to 40°C and that humidity levels stayed below 75%. These measures are crucial in preserving the integrity and quality of the goods, ensuring they arrive at their destination in pristine condition.
• Improving security: Security is a critical concern for high-value shipments. The AELER Unit One containers offer advanced tracking of door openings, shocks, and luminosity, providing comprehensive security monitoring. The case study aimed for zero unexpected door openings and no impacts above 12 g-force, ensuring the cargo remained secure and undisturbed throughout its journey.
• Shipment monitoring: A primary goal was achieving complete visibility into the cargo. AELER's smart containers are equipped with real-time tracking and monitoring capabilities, allowing constant observation of the shipment's location, environmental conditions, and security status.

By setting these ambitious goals, the pilot aimed to showcase how advanced logistics solutions can meet the stringent requirements of a leading luxury brand, opening the door for smarter, more sustainable shipping practices in the industry.

Pilot results and achievements

Stable temperature and humidity

The pilot results for cargo protection were nothing short of impressive. The AELER shipping containers maintained a stable temperature range between 0° to 38°C and humidity levels at around 50%, perfectly hitting the project targets. This stability is attributed to the superior insulation provided by the composite panels, which kept the luxury goods at a lower average temperature and humidity than traditional steel containers, significantly reducing the risk of quality degradation.

Reducing 13 tons of CO2 per shipment

Transitioning from air freight to the AELER shipping container significantly reduced CO2 emissions and the use of single-use materials. Firstly, simply transitioning from air to sea freight promises an impressive reduction of up to 13 tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per shipment - a 99% reduction in emissions. These calculations were completed using AELER methodology which is aligned with the most up-to-date industry standards.

Moreover, the AELER containers themselves provide significant CO2eq reductions. Previously, due to inefficient insulation in the containers used to transport the goods by air, the company used 20 desiccant packs to maintain appropriate humidity levels. However, thanks to the shipping containers' outstanding insulation, internal humidity was maintained at around 50%, allowing operators to remove all desiccant packs —equivalent to saving 6 kg of single-use material and saving an additional 100 kg of CO2 per shipment.

Cargo monitoring through Control Tower

Lastly, the trial showcased the capabilities of AELER's Control Tower, the all-in-one online tracking and monitoring platform. Near real-time data and container milestones were accessible throughout the ocean legs, ensuring unparalleled transparency and oversight. This visibility was crucial for maintaining the luxury brand's stringent standards, allowing for swift intervention should any issues have arisen..

Control Tower also detected no unexpected door openings and recorded a maximum impact of 10G, well within safe limits. These results underscore the reliability of the current security measures.

Paving the way for smarter and sustainable luxury logistics

The transition to AELER's Unit One containers has marked a significant milestone for one of the world's leading luxury brands, demonstrating a profound commitment to logistics efficiency, sustainability, and security. The trial results have highlighted the exceptional capabilities of AELER's innovative shipping containers in maintaining the quality of cargo, significantly reducing CO2 emissions, providing real-time monitoring, and improving security.

This successful trial sets a precedent for smarter, more sustainable shipping practices. As the luxury brand and AELER embark on new co-development projects, the future of maritime logistics looks promising, with advancements in security and sustainability at the forefront.

Luxury companies are founded on ideals of perfection. From the intricacy of their work to the acclaim of their craftsmanship, they have inspired billions. By embracing this bold vision for a brighter future, they will continue their aspirational journey and set new standards in excellence.