Approved projects in the field of “Securing supply chains”
In an export nation such as Germany, a secure supply and unhindered transport of goods are vital for society and industry. In recognition of this fact, the joint projects described below focus on the development of solutions designed to secure production and logistics processes against failure.
Completed joint projects:
ContainIT: An integrated IT platform for secure container logistics
Funding codes 13N11006 to 13N11016
The interconnectivity between IT systems, from dispatcher to recipient, is becoming ever more complex in light of the need to control increasingly global container transport chains – via water, rail and road – efficiently and cost-effectively. This was the motivation behind the ContainIT project, which combined networked, efficient ICT solutions for logistics with innovative security solutions. The goal was to develop an ICT platform that linked up existing standalone solutions and was the first such platform to map the entire logistics process for container transport. The idea was that this would enable disruptions and abnormalities in the supply chain to be identified in near real-time and classified according to the risk they pose.
More information (only available in German)
ECSIT: Increase of container security by applying contactless inspections in port terminals
Funding codes 13N10990 to 13N10994 and 13N10996 to 13N10999 and 13N11805
Strong growth in worldwide trade has brought with it an increasing need for efficient security solutions to protect freight. A case in point would be dangerous substances smuggled in a sea freight container, which could have a significant detrimental effect on supplies to the public and industry. The ECSIT project thus developed demonstrators with which to detect radioactivity plus fast imaging techniques for finding goods or dangerous substances that have been smuggled in shipping containers. The aim was to significantly reduce the time it takes to screen a large number of containers for sources of danger.
More information (only available in German)
MIME: Multimodal pattern recognition system to protect the populace against organised pharmaceutical crime and to counter international drug dealing
Funding codes 13N12006 to 13N12012
In recent years, there has been a steady increase in cases of manipulated or counterfeit medicines coupled with a rise in the spread of illegal substances. The objective of the MIME joint project developed a demonstrator that can identify the ingredients of medicines automatically and detect counterfeit products. The system is intended to help identify the origin, production processes and distribution routes of counterfeit medicines.
More information (only available in German)
PiraT: Piracy and maritime terrorism as a challenge for maritime trade security: indicators, perceptions and options for action
Funding codes 13N11026 to 13N11029
Recent events around the Horn of Africa have reawakened public awareness of the issue of secure maritime trade. The aim of this joint project was to draw up a list of security-promoting measures and initiatives (taking into account the costs and benefits and legal aspects) and a risk model with which to assess current challenges. The team also worked on a strategic analysis of the future of maritime trade security over the next 15 to 20 years.
More information (only available in German)
PREPAREDNET: Agent-based simulation and exploration of an emergency concept for the protection of sensitive logistics hubs
Funding codes 13N11133 to 13N11137
Freight centres are important nodes in Germany’s logistics infrastructure, performing tasks that are key to ensuring the supply of goods. At these centres, various modes of transport, road or rail for instance, converge with other players. Disruption to a freight centre, due to an act of terrorism for example, can result in production losses and bottlenecks in the supply chain – both at the national and the international level. The PreparedNET project thus sought to develop an emergency strategy to enable freight centres to start operating in emergency mode as soon as an incident occurs. To this end, the team developed simulation software, based on a “multi-agent system”, to illustrate the damage situation and provide rapid, automated support for decision-makers.
More information (only available in German)
RESCUE IT: IT platform for securing food supply chains
Funding codes 13N10963 to 13N10968
Foodstuffs need optimum protection as they make their way from producers to stores. It is important to reduce both the risk of food scandals and of agroterrorism and bioterrorism. With France and Germany being such strong trading partners, this joint project between the two countries set out to devise an IT system that would improve the security of food supply chains between companies and countries. The intention was to ensure that the two sides identify any security incidents together and initiate a coordinated response immediately.
More information (only available in German)
RM-LOG: Risk management strategies in supply chain and infrastructure networks from a business and macroeconomic perspective
Funding codes 13N11211 to 13N11214
Concentrating goods supplies at nodes, such as ports and distribution facilities, has proved an efficient approach since it allows production and logistics processes to be tightly meshed. The aim of the RM-LOG project is to create a software-based risk management system for businesses and public policy makers to enable them to identify potential courses of action and recommendations for action to optimise the security of supply chains for industry and the populace.
More information (only available in German)
SafeMed: System design for the economic safeguarding of medical supplies
Funding codes 13N11194 to 13N11198, 13N111200 and 13N111201
Measures to secure medical supply chains are important for the health of the populace. The SafeMed project is working on the development of a digital risk management system that will help identify particularly security-relevant points along the supply chain and propose suitable measures for securing it. The intention is that the system will ensure that consumers only receive safe medicines.
More information (only available in German)
SefLog: Safe and efficient logistical processes: prevention, identification and management strategies
Funding codes 13N11223 to 13N11230
Effective protection of container transport is essential for world trade. The SefLog project focused on two scenarios – “hijacked containers” and “Trojan horse” – and used them to analyse, assess and compare technologies for detecting risks and tracking and identifying containers. The team derived protective measures and recommendations for each threat scenario.
More information (only available in German)
SiLeBAT: Safeguarding feed and food supply chains against bio- and agro-terrorism scenarios
Funding codes 13N11202 to 13N11210
Quality and safety requirements for food and animal feed are governed by law, and the food hygiene regulations set out strict monitoring provisions. If maximum safety is to be maintained in the food supply chain, it is important to examine potential new risks too. The SiLeBAT research project developed innovative solutions for prevention of and damage control in cases of bioterrorism or agroterrorism. The programme enables authorities to analyse supply chains quickly and systematically in the event of a crisis to establish which foodstuffs have been contaminated with a pathogen. A checklist was also produced, with which any food producer can identify product safety shortcomings in their factory.
More information (only available in German)
Trans4Goods: Surface freight transport secured by information patterns
Funding codes 13N11041 and 13N11238 to 13N11243
A key parameter in ensuring secure logistical processes is knowing the location and condition of the freight and the requirements for how it has to be handled within the supply chain. Currently, this information is often not available throughout the entire chain, which can result in delays or even tampering as logistics chains become increasingly complex. The objective of the Trans4Goods joint project is to increase security for land transport of freight, mainly by means of better traceability. As part of an IT strategy, the Trans4Goods joint project developed a software solution for real-time analysis of logistics processes. This makes for better traceability of the routes goods take, thus making surface freight transport more secure.
More information (only available in German)