SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The Georgia Ports Authority, Shanghai International Port Group, and Savi Networks on Tuesday announced plans to launch a Radio Frequency Identification-based network to track containerized cargo transported between the Port of Shanghai in China and the Port of Savannah.

The Shanghai-Savannah Express Trade Lane Project was announced at The Journal of Commerces Third Annual China Trade & Logistics Conference.

The Shanghai group, which operates all of the public terminals in the Shanghai port complex, and Savi, a unit of Lockheed-Martin, have jointly developed a localized RFID solution which includes electronic container seal and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) integrated handheld hardware for the project.

The partners said the new initiative builds on a project previously conducted by SIPG for shipments moving from Shanghai to Yantai and will facilitate the operators objective of being a global information and logistics hub.

The project will be built on an open, international standards-based network platform, including compatibility with ISO standards for active RFID devices and electronic container security devices.

Following the successful completion of the project, SIPG and Savi will extend the RFID solution and SaviTrak information service to terminal facilities operated by SIPG at the Port of Shanghai, for products manufactured in China and shipped to the United States.

SaviTrak is already in operation at Savannah under an earlier agreement with the Georgia Ports Authority.

Shanghai handled 21.71 million TEUs in 2006, up 20.1 percent from the previous year.