Droitwich-based Guardfreight reports that its new locking mechanism — the E-Containerlock, which could prevent millions of pounds worth of cargo going missing each year — is set to be rolled out world-wide.

Developed by Guardfreight directors Andrew Harrison and Wayne Cressman, the lock can be fitted to shipping containers, roller-shutter doors, trailer doors and bulk-liquid tankers to overcome security issues. It incorporates a tracking and alert system.

After nine months of trials on shipments across the world, the product is currently being tested by potential customers in the USA, Mexico, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Mr Cressman said: “The trials have gone really well, and we are already using the results to effectively market the product to re-sellers, governments and intermodal freight specialists.”

Mr Harrison said: “There are numerous ways of breaking into shipping containers, taking the contents and then closing them so it doesn’t look like they’ve been tampered with. We knew we could come up with a universal solution to tackle this issue.

“The E-Containerlock is fitted in seconds and offers a host of security benefits, including wraparound fitting, a hub shield and extended housing that prevents tampering. The innovation comes in the multiple sensors and GPRS technology built into the device. This gives clients the chance to monitor their cargo at any point of the journey and to receive alerts if the container is opened or tampered with.”