Maritech has showed for first time at Trondheim its new software application for chain traceability, the WisePortal. WisePortal is a module that allows Maritech''s users to give their customers access to view the specific information regarding the products they have purchased, via Internet.
Through this system customers can have access to full chain traceability. Final buyers of a Maritech's users could access the whole value chain by just introducing in the computer the bar code of the product they have purchased.
The application is part of the WiseExternal, a data warehousing system whose purpose is to measure external traceability, from sea/farm to the plate. The system gives customers that already uses Maritech's technology the opportunity to easily connect their internal traceability information into a external traceability system.
Maritech has been part of the European project Tracefish to standardize chain traceability. The company is working on standarising a solution to make the implementation of external traceability easier and less expensive.
The EU directive 178/2002 on traceability will become effective in January 2005. This directive is a new general regulation on the hygiene of foodstuffs, where hygiene rules will apply from farm to fork. Primary responsibility is taken by the food business (HACCP). It states that all foods and ingredients should be traceable and safe. Businesses should have product withdrawal systems in place and keep records identifying the sources of their raw material and the businesses their product was supplied to.
Surefish
Maritech has also announced the purchase of Surefish, Seafood Quality Specialists, a Seattle based fish inspection and consultancy company, with multiple locations throughout North America, as well as offices in Korea and Vietnam.
With this acquisition, the Norwegian company expects to give a complete solution, covering the entire complex seafood supply and distribution chain. Surefish will, however, according to a company statement, continue to operate independently, maintaining its present focus as a fish inspection and seafood service consultancy company.
