Livestock carriers have had bad press in the last few years with a series of capsizes, fires and sinkings, but also serious concerns over animal welfare on board.
The welfare of livestock on board vessels during transportation has been taken up by the European Union, with a recognition that more research is needed to understand animal husbandry needs.
Research has identified animal mechanisms for coping with a ship voyage as well as the physical, physiological and behavioural factors, including processes, installations and equipment needs.
Now one exporter has turned to technology to help monitor conditions on the vessels it uses to export cattle and sheep from France to the Middle East.
French exporter SEPAB, Societe d’Exploitation du Parc A Bestiaux, exports livestock using a fleet of six vessels, and announced it will be installing an internet of things network by Norwegian firm ScanReach on two of them. The IoT network will link with its own Exportwell application to monitor and maintain on board conditions for livestock.
The network links sensors across livestock pens, using a wireless network that has the ability to send signals through steel bulkheads and decks.
It allows each ship to benefit from continuous collection of information including temperature, humidity, airflow and ammonia levels in animal pens, and then sent ashore or given to onboard staff.
In a statement, SEPAB says the solution allows it to align with evolving standards for livestock transportation, and to demonstrate positive change in the livestock transportation industry.
