What is the innovation?
Peter Kosmina – Chief Executive Officer Cindicium Pty Ltd
Cindicium’s CLAW technology helps to streamline container supply chains, enhance logistics planning and support critical safety reforms.
An affordable, convenient and reliable alternative to weighbridges, Cindicium’s CLAW technology allows users to quickly and easily weigh shipping containers on the ground, deck, or back of a truck, and share data remotely to track the shipment.
Cindicium Director Robin Bean created the CLAW system to solve problems he encountered during 35+ years working in the import/export container supply chain.
What benefits does the innovation bring?
In 2016, the International Maritime Organisation introduced new regulations requiring a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for every container loaded onto a ship, to protect workers, ships, cargo and the environment, by preventing incorrect stowage decisions that result in container stack collapse or overboard loss. Dangerously, the VGM regulations are being flouted, globally.
Overloaded trucks also put lives at risk and increase damage to roads. 70% of semi-trailers do not have on-board mass measurement systems and the balance have questionable calibration/maintenance programs. On 1 October 2018, the Heavy Vehicle National Law will be amended so that every party involved in consigning, packing, loading, moving or receiving goods is linked in a Chain of Responsibility (COR) and must have safety management systems in place, including legal weight verification.
By facilitating compliance with VGM and COR regulations, Cindicium’s CLAW technology brings enormous safety and productivity benefits, as well as reducing the risk of ocean pollution from containers lost overboard.
What commercial success and/or benefit to society has the innovation achieved?
CLAW technology has been rolled out with trucking companies in Fiji, resulting in increased safety compliance and less road damage. Containers are delivered to the port with a verified weight, saving time in loading them onto ships.
What lessons learnt can you share?
We went through multiple iterations when manufacturing CLAW which increased the time taken to reach the market. We should have consulted end-users sooner, rather than after building what we thought they needed! Our earlier iterations required users to retrofit their trucks, which, in the end they weren’t willing to do.
How many new jobs has this innovation created?
Six so far.