Have you ever faced uncertainty about where your shipment is or why it's delayed in transit? In today’s fast-moving supply chains, knowing the exact location and status of your shipping containers is more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity. 

Whether you’re managing international freight or awaiting a delivery, container tracking offers a clear view into the journey of your goods, helping you stay informed and in control.

But how exactly does it work? What are the key steps in tracking a shipment, and what challenges might you face along the way? In this guide, we’ll break down the process of container tracking, explore the technologies behind it, and offer solutions to common issues businesses encounter. 

What is Container Tracking?

Container tracking refers to the system and process used to monitor the real-time location and movement of shipping containers throughout their journey in the supply chain. 

The system records and reports key milestones during the container's journey, such as:

• Gate Out Empty: The empty container has been picked up. This starts the clock for detention (equipment)
• Gate In Full: The container has been loaded and is ready to board the vessel
• Loaded: The container is loaded on the vessel
• Vessel Departure: When the ship carrying the container leaves the port.
• Vessel Arrival: The vessel has arrived at the port
• Container Unloaded: When the container is removed from the vessel.
• Gate Out Full: When the full container leaves the terminal.
• Gate Empty: The Container is returned empty after being used - goods are emptied, and the  container is returned. 

These tracking updates provide critical information, including estimated delivery times, potential delays, 

How to Track a Container Using Its Number?

To monitor a shipping container's journey, you'll need its unique identifier and access to a tracking system. The Container Number (CT) is the primary identifier used for this purpose. Other identifiers, such as the Bill of Lading (BOL) number or booking number, can also provide tracking details.

What is Container Number (CT)?

The container number is a standardized code assigned to each shipping container, typically made up of four letters (the container prefix) followed by seven digits (e.g., ZCSU8594028). This code provides essential information about the container's owner, equipment category, and unique serial number. 

Steps to Track a Container with Vizion:

1. Select the Carrier :some text
   • Begin by choosing the shipping carrier responsible for transporting your container (Vizion’s container tracking offers auto-carrier identification if your carrier is unknown.)
2. Input the Container ID/Number :some text
   • Enter the unique container number (formatted as four letters followed by seven digits, e.g., ABCD1234567).
3. Get the Results :some text
   • Submit the information to retrieve real-time updates on the container's location, status, and key transit milestones.

Start tracking your container with Vizion today! Visit vizionapi.com to gain instant visibility into your shipments.

Importance of Tracking Shipments

In today's technology-driven world, shipment tracking is essential for maintaining transparency and enhancing customer satisfaction. Real-time visibility into shipments has become a critical component of the customer experience. A 2024 survey revealed that 77% of supply chain professionals consider real-time visibility a "must-have" in their operations.

Implementing an effective shipment tracking system offers several benefits:

• Informed Decision-Making: Real-time tracking equips businesses with accurate, up-to-date data, enabling them to make better decisions.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Real-time tracking keeps customers informed about their delivery status and builds trust. Research indicates that 91% of consumers actively track their packages, with 39% checking once a day and 19% multiple times each day.
• Timely Deliveries: Shipment tracking systems help ensure on-time deliveries by providing real-time data that allows for proactive issue resolution. This capability is crucial, as delays are a common customer complaint that can negatively impact satisfaction.
• Operational Efficiency: Businesses can optimize routes and manage resources more effectively with real-time tracking, leading to cost savings and improved service quality.

Incorporating shipment tracking into your operations not only meets customer expectations but also enhances overall efficiency and reliability in the supply chain.

Common Challenges in Container Tracking and How to Overcome Them.

Container tracking is an essential part of modern logistics, but it comes with its share of challenges. Here’s how these common obstacles can be addressed:

1. Integrating into an Existing Software System

Many businesses struggle to incorporate container tracking into their existing systems. With Vizion's API or tracking app, integration is seamless. The solutions are designed to work effortlessly with your current software, minimizing disruptions and enhancing efficiency.

2. Automating Manual Tasks

Tracking shipments manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. Vizion streamlines this process by allowing you to track shipments using a container number, master bill of lading, or booking number, automating the workflow and freeing up valuable time for your team.

3. Minimizing Detention and Demurrage Fees

Delays in pickup often lead to hefty detention and demurrage charges. With real-time visibility from Vizion, you’ll know exactly when a container is available for pickup and the last free day before fees begin. This insight helps businesses avoid unnecessary costs and streamline operations.

4. Low-quality Data

Inaccurate or incomplete data can disrupt logistics planning. Vizion delivers high-quality tracking data, offering 99% global coverage and visibility into over 100 ports and terminals worldwide, ensuring reliable and actionable information.

5. Customer Support Issues

Exceptional customer service is crucial in logistics as the industry is fast-paced and often faces complex challenges that require quick resolutions. Vizion provides high-quality customer support, helping resolve issues quickly and ensuring a smooth experience.

Conclusion

Container tracking is an indispensable part of modern logistics, providing critical visibility and control over supply chain operations. 

Businesses that prioritize real-time tracking and invest in comprehensive solutions can optimize their logistics operations, reduce human error, save on detention and demurrage fees, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.

Take your logistics management to the next level with Vizion. Explore:

• Real-Time Container Tracking: Gain access to the most complete, standardized, and detailed container tracking events via API or user interface with real-time container tracking data.
• Logistics Performance Hub: Access a comprehensive suite of global logistics datasets, including Port Performance, Port Activity, and Port Pairs, to analyze shipping trends, port throughput, container dwell times, and real-time port activity, enabling smarter decision-making about containerized freight movements.
• TradeView: Monitor the live flow of any company's shipments 30 to 90 days before arrival to destination and analyze trends across 10 years of historical supplier, product, and logistics movement data. With 900 million shipment records, 140+ attributes per shipment, coverage spanning 190 countries, and comprehensive HS code data, TradeView empowers data-driven decisions that optimize global trade management.

Talk to an expert with Vizion, or start tracking a container now!