Do you know how ports identify the thousands of containers that arrive and depart every day? These large metallic structures, used to transport goods between different regions of Brazil and the world, have their own identification. Stamped on the side of each container, a sequence of letters and numbers allows the unit to be recognized and its movement to be monitored throughout logistical operations. The identification follows the international standard ISO 6346, which establishes a pattern for container coding and marking.
In ports, this code is used to register and monitor containers during handling and storage operations. Employees and computerized systems link the identification to operational records, contributing to the control of units and the organization of goods transport.
How the identification code works
The code consists of four letters and seven digits, which identify the registered owner, indicate the equipment category, and individualize each unit through a serial number. The last digit functions as a check digit, helping to detect possible identification errors.
To understand how this identification works, imagine the fictitious code ABCU 123456 0. Each part of the sequence has a specific function: the first three letters, ABC, identify the registered owner of the container. The fourth letter, U, indicates the equipment category and is used for the most common cargo containers. Next, the six digits, 123456, form the serial number, which differentiates that unit from the others. Finally, the last digit, 0, is the check digit, calculated using a mathematical formula applied to the previous characters to help identify possible errors in the code.
Identification facilitates work in ports. Thus, different participants in the logistics chain can share data and monitor cargo movement with more organization.
Technology that facilitates work in ports
Identifying a container can also be an automated task. With the support of technology, cameras and computerized systems can read the letters and numbers stamped on the units and transform this information into digital records. This process is known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
Technology allows for faster registration of container identification and association of codes with images captured during operations. The Federal Revenue Service foresees the use of this resource in the monitoring and surveillance of customs enclosures, contributing to the control of movements and facilitating the consultation of entry and exit records.
InovaPortos
The modernization of ports also involves broader digital transformation initiatives. In this context, the Ministry of Ports and Airports developed InovaPortos, a program that seeks to stimulate innovation and the use of new technologies in the port sector. Among the areas of activity are process automation, the use of artificial intelligence, and data analysis and integration. The objective is to contribute to more efficient operations, improve management, and reduce logistical costs.
What goods are being transported?
The code identifies the container, but does not inform what product is inside it. To know the goods transported, it is necessary to consult the cargo documents and records, which contain information such as the type of product, quantity, origin, and destination.
A single container can transport clothes, industrialized food, electronic equipment, or raw materials. In port systems, the unit code can also be associated with the operation documents, facilitating the monitoring of cargo and the work of the authorities responsible for inspection.
