VIACHAIN and Star Solutions expand smart container connectivity at sea

VIACHAIN, an ORBCOMM company, and Star Solutions have formalised a strategic alliance to expand onboard 4G/LTE connectivity for smart shipping containers, enabling vessel crews to monitor cargo conditions and identify equipment problems during voyages.

The agreement combines Star Solutions’ private cellular network infrastructure with VIACHAIN’s connected container technology and CrewView monitoring application. It builds on an existing relationship between the companies, whose systems are already used across hundreds of ships operated by major shipping lines, supporting hundreds of thousands of smart containers.

The partnership is intended to provide shipping lines with additional connectivity options as they introduce private 4G/LTE networks onboard vessels. VIACHAIN’s container technology supports approximately four million TEU worldwide, although the companies have not disclosed how many additional containers or vessels will be connected under the new alliance.

Improving container monitoring during voyages

Maintaining communication with smart containers at sea remains an operational challenge, particularly when shipping lines need to monitor refrigerated cargo and identify technical problems before they result in damage or disruption.

VIACHAIN’s CrewView application allows crews to monitor compatible refrigerated and dry containers and receive information about operational exceptions, including temperature deviations and interruptions to electrical power.

By integrating the application with Star Solutions’ onboard cellular networks, the companies aim to make container information accessible to crews during voyages and support faster identification of units requiring attention.

Rather than relying entirely on routine manual inspections, crew members can use monitoring information to prioritise containers reporting abnormal conditions.

This approach could be particularly relevant for refrigerated cargo, where undetected temperature changes or power failures may affect cargo quality. It may also reduce unnecessary inspections in areas of a vessel where access presents operational safety risks.

Chip Lebovitz, Senior Vice President and General Manager of VIACHAIN, said the partnership is intended to make information collected from connected containers more accessible and useful during voyages.

“When crew members can quickly see what needs attention, they can spend less time looking for problems and more time addressing them,” said Lebovitz.

Building on existing onboard connectivity

The agreement does not introduce an entirely new container monitoring system. CrewView was launched by ORBCOMM in June 2025 to provide onboard visibility for refrigerated and dry containers.

The latest alliance instead focuses on expanding connectivity options by linking compatible VIACHAIN equipment with Star Solutions’ private 4G/LTE infrastructure.

Jack Mar, Chief Executive Officer of Star Solutions, said private cellular networks can help shipping lines make greater operational use of their investments in connected container technology.

Star Solutions supplies mobile network infrastructure for industrial applications, including maritime operations, while VIACHAIN provides connected asset monitoring technology for shipping lines and other transport operators.

The companies have not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement, identified additional shipping line customers or announced a specific implementation schedule.

Nevertheless, the alliance reflects the continuing development of onboard communications infrastructure as shipping lines increase the use of connected containers and seek more consistent access to operational information during ocean voyages.

Its significance lies in extending the practical use of existing smart container technology rather than introducing a new generation of tracking devices.