Picture a container ship loaded with containers; you might imagine a range of red, blue, green, orange, and yellow containers. Until just a few years ago, one color you wouldn’t expect to see is bright magenta pink. With bold letters “ONE” on the side of these containers and ships, there’s no mistaking Ocean Network Express (ONE). But what is behind this bold branding? If you’re shipping with ONE, how can you track these containers most effectively?

This article is your complete guide to Ocean Network Express and ONE container tracking. It explains its origins and, most importantly, how you can leverage technology to automatically track these shipments and apply the data toward better decision-making.

What is Ocean Network Express (ONE)?

Bright magenta containers haven’t always been around, but Ocean Network Express has quickly grown into a major container shipping company thanks to its parent companies. Announced in 2016 and officially established in 2017, ONE is a joint venture between three of Japan's largest shipping companies: Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line). These three companies merged their container shipping divisions to form ONE.

ONE is headquartered in Singapore and operates a global network of container shipping services. It is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, with the sixth largest total TEU capacity behind MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd, taking a 6.1% share of ocean freight shipping. With more container ships ordered and on the way, ONE is on a path to stay competitive, as the company facilitates international trade worldwide, including through several service options between Asia and North America.

Driving Forces Behind ONE

The formation of ONE was a response to the challenges and changes in the container shipping industry, including overcapacity and increased competition. By combining their resources and expertise, the three Japanese shipping companies aimed to create a more efficient and competitive container shipping company capable of serving global markets. ONE offers a range of container shipping services, including dry, refrigerated, and special cargo services. It also has a solid commitment to sustainability and is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact in the maritime transportation industry.

Investing in environmentally friendly technologies for its vessels, ONE’s newest ships will be designed to be compatible with alternative fuels like Methanol and Ammonia, which are considered more eco-friendly than traditional marine fuels. These vessels will also come equipped with energy-saving technologies, like bow covers, to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

ONE is also in discussions with shipyards and equipment manufacturers to implement onboard carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. CCS is key in capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions produced during the shipping process, reducing the net carbon footprint of the company’s operations. ONE is working toward an ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050, proof of its long-term commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making a positive contribution to global efforts to combat climate change.

ONE by the Numbers

●      225 vessels in the ONE fleet as of Oct 2023

●      Nearly 1.7 million total TEU capacity

●      Over 120 countries in the service network

●      28 ports of call in the U.S.

●      Vessels built between 2004 and 2023

●      8 vessels added to the fleet in 2023

●      33 vessels have a capacity between 13,900 and 20,000 TEU

●      9 vessels have a capacity of over 20,000 TEU

●      10 new large container vessels (>13,700 TEU) have been ordered for 2025 and 2026

Sources: https://www.one-line.com/en/vessels; https://alphaliner.axsmarine.com/PublicTop100; https://www.one-line.com/sites/g/files/lnzjqr776/files/2023-03/EN_Press%20Release_ONE%20orders%2010%20new%20state-of-the-art%20large%20container%20vessels.pdf

ONE: Pink Stands Out

With a large fleet of vessels, many aspects of ONE’s operations rely on the efficient movement of containers. By focusing on tracking container assets internally, ONE can better serve its customers by adhering to schedules and controlling costs. Then, by offering container tracking to its customers, ONE gives them an added layer of benefit, which in turn allows ONE to stay competitive and maintain customer satisfaction.

ONE container tracking is vital for businesses to improve their container shipping and supply chains. This data enables better decision-making and shipping optimization to reduce transit times and costs. Companies can minimize the risk by having the data to identify and address emerging risks fast, for example, with insight into potential delays, whether caused by planning issues or unavoidable disruptions. They gain transparency and control over their shipments that can be turned into efficiency and optimization in the following ways:

• Better Planning – With complete information on the movement of shipments and when they are expected to arrive, businesses can plan their surrounding operations more effectively. This includes scheduling, managing inventory, and ensuring the entire chain runs smoothly.

• Reducing Problems – Transparency helps businesses be aware of delays and other issues sooner, before they become more significant challenges or cost the company more money.

• Saving Money – Besides avoiding costs associated with managing disruptions, businesses can choose the most efficient routes and shipment options to reduce transportation costs by knowing where shipments are.

• Happier Customers – Businesses can provide more accurate information on when their orders will arrive, leading to greater customer satisfaction.

Leveraging Technology for Data-Driven ONE Container Tracking: Three Strategies

Container tracking data isn’t meant to simply fill a spreadsheet or management software with information, referenced only when it’s needed. Depending on the approach used, shippers can use their data better to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of container tracking and management. Here are three strategies, powered by Vizion, that shippers can use with their ONE container tracking data.

Strategy 1: Enhancing Real-Time Monitoring

Vizion uses various tracking methods, including container tracing, AIS events, and port & terminal events, to provide immediate data and updates on their containers throughout the supply chain journey, even before carriers provide updates. This immediate access to information allows for better visibility and control over container movements, which is important for logistics and supply chain management. When Vizion data is configured for notifications, shippers can get alerts like Last Free Dates and Available for Pickup events to better coordinate with drayage providers. Shippers get to avoid relying on manual monitoring, which takes valuable time away from their employees.

Strategy 2: Streamlining Data Analytics

Vizion collects detailed data on container movements, which can be used as real-time and historical data at the individual shipment level or applied on a broader scale, like keeping track of port performance. Using advanced data analytics, Vizion processes container data to uncover valuable insights. This can include identifying patterns, optimizing routes, predicting arrival times, and detecting anomalies or potential issues in the supply chain. By streamlining data analytics with Vizion, shippers can make more informed decisions and improve the efficiency of their container operations.

Strategy 3: Leveraging Predictive Analytics

Shippers can take their data to the next level with predictive analytics, using Vizion’s real-time and historical data to forecast future events or trends. Shippers can develop predictive models that anticipate container-related concerns, for example, when a container might experience delays. Leveraging predictive analytics, shippers can take proactive measures to address any risks before they become critical, improving the reliability and efficiency of their container management processes.

Facing a Dynamic Maritime Landscape, Shippers Turn to ONE Container Tracking

Businesses that invest in advanced tracking technologies bolster their competitive advantage by minimizing delays, reducing transportation costs, and ensuring satisfied customers. They can also apply this to other opportunities for better decision-making as applied to risk mitigation, end-to-end supply chain integration, and even choosing eco-friendly shipping and supply chain practices. But the constant throughout is access to complete, real-time container tracking data. Data makes better decisions possible, and easy access to this data makes operational efficiency possible. More shippers today are not just tapping into the data available but also realizing the full potential of the data through advanced analytics.

See the Full Potential of Container Tracking with Vizion

Shippers should focus on leveraging the benefits of enhanced visibility, predictive analytics, and efficient supply chain management to stay competitive. Those who do this effectively will be better equipped to meet customer demands and address any logistics challenges that come their way.

With Vizion API, shippers get enhanced container tracking data flowing directly into their existing systems and platforms, providing them with real-time data and the potential to apply it toward smarter decisions and more advanced supply chains.

To learn more about container tracking through Vizion, contact us today to schedule a demo.