How Ocean Freight Shipment is Traced and Tracked?

If you are a shipper, then the best ways through which the risks can be minimized is by tracking the movement of the ocean freight shipment. Besides this, if you want to have a smooth supply chain, then it is important to have real-time update about your cargo location.

In the past, to track the shipments, logistics managers had to visit the shipping lines website manually. Alternatively, they had to give call to their freight forwarder and input the booking number for tracking each container.

Also, the data that was updated on these websites were not known. All of these lead to inaccurate information about the location of the container.

But things have changed now as technological advancements have simplified the complete process. Thus companies can opt for container tracking in an effortless manner.

So, in this article, we would discuss about how ocean freight shipment can be traced and tracked. Let us have a look:-

What is the meaning of ocean freight shipping?

Ocean Freight is basically the goods and products that are shipped through ocean vessel. The process of ocean freight transportation starts from the port terminal. After this, the ocean freight company that you have chosen would receive the cargo. Lastly, the preparation is done and finally the loading is done into the vessel.

How much time does the ocean freight take?

The transportation time for ocean freight would depend on the origin and destination where the good needs to be transported. For instance, transportation from China to United States would take about 45 days. This basically includes 15-20 days of the ocean leg. Other than this, it includes non-value added time. Some of these include waiting time at origin, custom clearance and out of the port waiting time.

So, most of the delays that takes place in ocean freight doesn’t tend to happen on the ocean. Rather, the ports seem to be congested and thus the ocean lines are sailing at slower rates. All of these are done such that they won’t have to wait at the port for a long time.

What are the things that can be shipped by the Ocean?

Most of the things can be easily shipped through the ocean. But, there are three factors which determine the things that can be shipped through this method. This includes expense, size and speed. So, here are a few things that can be shipped through the ocean. Let us have a look:-

• Cargo Container items which includes things such as clothing, toys, electronics and furniture. 
• Liquid items such as crude oil and fuel 
• Raw and Dry materials 
• Roll on goods such as vehicles and machinery 

What are the things that cannot be shipped by ocean?

There are certain goods which are quite heavy or too big to be shipped through ocean vessel. Besides this, hazardous, flammable and other kind of dangerous goods are not allowed as ocean freight. Lastly, ocean liners tend to have different policies when it comes to the things that they accept and the things that they don’t.

How are the rates of ocean freight calculated?

Ocean Freight is one of the cheapest ways through which goods can be shipped. In general, the rates of ocean cargo are calculated by TEUs. Besides this, land-sea-land transportation and Incoterms also play a very important role in determining the rates of the ocean freight. Likewise, the cost of sea transport is about 16 times less than the cost via air transport.

How to choose a container tracking system?

Off lately, there has been emergence of a number of container tracking systems. Due to this, you can get live and timely updates regarding the current location of the freight. In the current time, you can get a number of online tracking tools through which real-time container tracking can be done. Other than this, it helps you in delays or re-routing in a right way.

So, when you are opting for a container tracking system, make sure to choose the one that can provide you with the notification automatically. In this way, you can know about the changes that are happening in the status of your shipment.

Besides this, it will provide you with regular updates each time the shipment gets a milestone in the transportation and logistics process.

So, here are some of the changes that you need to consider:-

• You should look when the container leaves the facility 
• Keep a track when the container reaches to the terminal and is ready for the clearance process 
• Loading of container takes place at origin port 
• Keeping a track when the container reaches the destination port 
• Lastly, when the consignee gets their shipment

What are the acronyms used in container tracking?

• ETD

It basically indicates the day during which the container would leave the landing port.

• ETA

It indicates the day during which the container would arrive at port of discharge.

• T/S 

It basically indicates the time when the container would reach the connecting port between POD and POL.

• POL 

POL signifies the origin port when the container is loaded on the ship firstly.

• POD 

It signifies the destination port from where the container is offloaded and delivered to consignee.

How numbers can be used for container tracking?

• Tracking the shipment through container number 

All the shipping containers tend to have alphanumeric sequence attached to it. This is basically the container number. Each of the container number is unique and it is used to track the movement of the container. So, tracking the shipment through the container number is one of the common methods that are used these days.

• Tracking the shipment through the booking number 

A booking number indicates that certain space has been reserved in the carrier. This is also one of the ways through which shipment status can be tracked. You can get the following number from your freight forwarder or carrier. Other than this, you can also find this number on invoices or receipts once the reservation is confirmed.  

• Tracking using Bill of Lading 

A bill of lading is basically a binding document that carrier issues to the shipper. It is basically a unique number that you will find on the document.
It is issued when the carrier accepts your cargo for shipment. Most of the online container tracking systems allows you to track shipments using the BL number.
What are the features of a container tracking software?

• Real time status 

With a container tracking software, you status of all the shipments can be recorded automatically in the real-time. Besides this, it also helps out in assessing the performance of various carriers.

• Updates directly to your inbox 

If you opt for a container tracking software, then you won’t have to visit the shipping websites a number of times to get an update. The software would capture the milestones of the journey automatically and send it directly to your inbox.

• Integrated Dashboard 

A good container tracking software tends to have an integrated dashboard. Hence, you would get complete clarity regarding all your shipments. Other than this, you can make use of the predictive analytics of the software for doing cost cutting.

Final Verdict

Above are some of the ways through ocean freight shipment can be tracked and traced. So, if you are looking out for container tracking software, then book demo OpenTrack today. Thus, if you choose our software, then you will get complete transparency over your supply chain. Hence, don’t hold back and contact us now.