Cargo optimization systems, devices and related methods

Abstract

A shipping container optimization and utilization system and method for identifying and utilizing otherwise unused, deadheading shipping containers. The systems and methods aggregate, compile, and index cargo capacity data into a searchable database so that users can identify and pair loads with unused shipping containers. The systems and methods improve efficiency in transportation and shipping routes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for optimizing shipping container utilization, comprising:
 a. a server in operational communication with at least one database and a computer implementing a computer-readable media; and   b. a processor in operational communication with the server and at least one database, the processor constructed and arranged for executing a computer program for implementing a cargo utilization platform,   wherein:   a. the database is constructed and arranged to compile and index shipping container capacity data, b. the cargo utilization platform is constructed and arranged to access shipping container capacity data and identify at least one deadhead container, and c. the cargo utilization platform is constructed and arranged to pair at least one user with at least one identified deadhead container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the database is an SQL database in operational communication with a server and a processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shipping container capacity data is unused container data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the shipping container capacity data further comprises at least one of the group consisting of: consignee city, state, carrier name, carrier code, container size, arrival date, port of arrival, bill of lading number, master bill of lading number, container type and container number. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the shipping container capacity data is drawn from at least one of public cargo data and private cargo data. 
     
     
         6 . A method for optimizing utilization of shipping containers in transit, comprising:
 a. aggregating shipping container capacity data from at least one shipping container data source on a searchable database;   b. identifying at least one deadhead container via the shipping container capacity data; and   c. pairing at least one user with the at least one identified deadhead container via a platform in networked communication with the searchable database.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the searchable database is an SQL database in operational communication with a server and a processor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the shipping container capacity data is unused container data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the shipping container capacity data further comprises at least one of the group consisting of: consignee city, state, carrier name, carrier code, container size, arrival date, port of arrival, bill of lading number, master bill of lading number, container type and container number. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein aggregated shipping container capacity data is drawn from at least one of public cargo data and private cargo data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the platform is constructed and arranged such that users can search for deadhead container routes. 
     
     
         12 . A system for optimizing shipping container utilization, comprising:
 a. at least one searchable database comprising shipping container capacity data; and   b. a processor in operational communication with the at least one searchable database and at least one database, the processor constructed and arranged for executing a computer program for implementing a cargo utilization platform, wherein the platform is constructed and arranged to:
 i. aggregate shipping container capacity data from at least one shipping container data source on the at least one searchable database; 
 ii. identify at least one deadhead container via the shipping container capacity data; and 
 iii. pair at least one user with the at least one identified deadhead container via a platform in networked communication with the searchable database. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one searchable database is an SQL database in operational communication with a server. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the shipping container capacity data is unused container data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the shipping container capacity data further comprises at least one of the group consisting of: consignee city, state, carrier name, carrier code, container size, arrival date, port of arrival, bill of lading number, master bill of lading number, container type and container number. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the shipping container capacity data is drawn from at least one of public cargo data and private cargo data. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the platform is constructed and arranged such that users can search for deadhead container routes.