Orbcomm CT1000 — Solar-Powered Smart Dry Container Tracker with Global 4G LTE and ATEX Zone 2

The Orbcomm CT1000 is a landmark product in container telematics — a solar-powered smart tracking device purpose-built to digitalise global dry container shipping and provide end-to-end visibility for shipping lines and their customers throughout the most complex intermodal supply chains in the world. Designed to track previously untracked dry marine containers and intermodal trailers at scale and at a cost that makes large deployments commercially viable, the CT1000 delivers real-time and historical location reporting, ambient temperature monitoring and cargo status visibility from the moment a container leaves port to the moment it is delivered.

What makes the CT1000 exceptional is its combination of intelligent solar power management — providing up to three months of operation at 75% solar capacity without sun exposure — with an enclosure rated to both IP67/IP69K waterproof and ATEX Zone 2 for hazardous environments. Installation takes as little as one minute with no tools required, and once installed the device is designed to last the lifetime of the container asset with no manual maintenance or battery replacement needed.

As an authorised Orbcomm distributor in the UK, Tracking Hardware UK stocks the CT1000 and ships directly from our London warehouse — with trade pricing available for shipping lines, logistics operators and intermodal fleet operators.

Key Features

• Solar powered with intelligent power management — built-in solar panel with intelligent power management provides up to three months of operation at 75% solar capacity without sun exposure, designed to sustain reliable reporting throughout the full container lifecycle

• 4G LTE with 3G and 2G fallback — global multi-band cellular connectivity ensuring real-time data transmission across ports, terminals, rail yards and road networks worldwide, with automatic fallback to 3G and 2G where LTE is unavailable

• Multi-constellation GNSS — GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS support for accurate real-time container positioning across global shipping routes

• IP67 and IP69K waterproof — dual waterproof rating providing protection against temporary immersion and high-pressure, high-temperature water jets — essential for containers subject to pressure washing and saltwater environments

• ATEX Zone 2 certified — certified for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres, enabling deployment on containers carrying or stored near flammable materials

• BLE connectivity — Bluetooth Low Energy for communication with sensors and accessories, enabling extended monitoring capabilities and wireless diagnostics

• Ambient temperature monitoring — built-in temperature sensor monitors container ambient conditions during transit and storage, providing cargo condition data for dry container shipments

• One-minute tool-free installation — the CT1000 can be installed or removed in as little as one minute without tools, significantly reducing deployment cost and enabling rapid large-scale rollout

• Designed to last the asset lifetime — engineered to require no manual maintenance, battery replacement or manual attention after initial installation throughout the full service life of the container

• Real-time and historical reporting — provides both live location and status data and full historical reporting for tracking containers at every point in their journey

• Geofencing — configurable zone alerts when containers enter or exit defined port, terminal or geographic areas

• Motion detection — detects and reports when containers are moved, loaded or unloaded

• OTA updates — remote firmware and configuration management without physical device access

Technical Specifications

Cellular: 4G LTE with 3G and 2G fallback

GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS

Bluetooth: BLE

Power: Solar with intelligent power management

Standby: Up to 3 months at 75% solar capacity without sun

Waterproofing: IP67 and IP69K

Hazardous environment: ATEX Zone 2 certified

Installation: Tool-free — as little as one minute

Sensors: Ambient temperature

OTA: Remote firmware and configuration updates

Typical Use Cases

Ideal for shipping lines requiring end-to-end visibility of dry marine container fleets, intermodal operators tracking containers across sea, rail and road, port and terminal operators monitoring container status and yard positioning, logistics providers requiring real-time cargo location and condition data, container leasing companies tracking asset utilisation and location, customs and compliance monitoring requiring documented container movement history, and any large-scale container tracking deployment where low installation cost, long asset life and maintenance-free operation are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dry container and why does it need a tracker?

A dry container is a standard steel shipping container used for non-temperature-sensitive dry cargo — the most common container type in global trade. Historically the vast majority of dry containers have been untracked, creating significant blind spots in supply chain visibility. The CT1000 is specifically designed to make tracking dry containers at scale commercially viable for the first time.

How long does the CT1000 battery last without sunlight?

The CT1000's intelligent solar power management provides up to three months of operation at 75% reporting capacity without any sun exposure — ensuring continuous reporting even when containers are stored in covered terminals, loaded in ship holds or transported through regions with limited sunlight.

What does ATEX Zone 2 certification mean?

ATEX Zone 2 certification means the CT1000 is certified safe for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres — environments where flammable gases, vapours or mists may occasionally be present. This makes it suitable for deployment on containers stored or transported near petroleum, chemical or other flammable materials where standard electronic devices cannot be used.

How quickly can the CT1000 be installed?

The CT1000 can be installed or removed in as little as one minute without any tools — a critical feature for large-scale container deployments where installation time directly impacts total deployment cost.

Can I buy the CT1000 in bulk from Tracking Hardware UK?

Yes — we supply shipping lines, intermodal operators, logistics companies and resellers across the UK and internationally. Volume pricing and trade accounts are available. Contact us for a bulk quote.