Gain full control over your shipments with smarter container visibility
Tracking a container involves far more than pinpointing its current location. To manage today’s complex logistics networks effectively, companies need reliable insight into each step of a shipment’s journey-from departure to final delivery. This guide gives you a clear and practical overview of container tracking and tracing, including the systems, identifiers, and tools that enable better decision-making.
If you work in logistics, freight forwarding, or supply chain coordination, this article will help you sharpen your approach to shipment visibility. By minimizing blind spots and delays, real-time container tracking supports smoother operations, reduces wasted fuel, and helps your business meet both performance and sustainability targets. With port congestion and idle waiting times still a reality-especially in overstocked hubs like Toronto-precision tracking has become essential.
What “track and trace” really means
Visibility today means more than a map-it means control, reuse, and real-time certainty
Container tracking refers to the ability to see where a shipment is at any given time, usually through real-time updates tied to the container ID. Tracing, on the other hand, reconstructs the shipment’s journey by showing past milestones and location history. When combined, track and trace give you a full view of both the current status and the movement patterns of a container.
But modern supply chains require more than just coordinates on a map. Businesses need tracking systems that reveal whether a container is available for reuse, stuck at a depot, or can be rerouted to avoid unnecessary delays. This shift reflects a larger change in how logistics is managed. Waiting at a terminal is not “part of the job”-it’s a drain on time, revenue, and fuel. If a truck sits idle for two hours at a depot, that’s a missed load and a lost earning opportunity.
This is why effective container tracking now focuses on decision-ready data: information that allows dispatchers, logistics planners, and freight forwarders to act without guesswork. Real visibility means fewer blind spots, faster turns, and smarter container utilization.
Key tracking types
- Container tracking: Real-time location and status of a specific shipping container.
- Bill of Lading (BL) tracking: Document-based tracking of a shipment’s contractual and logistical history.
- Booking tracking: Shipment visibility using a freight booking number as reference.
- API tracking: Direct system-to-system data access that keeps software platforms in sync with live shipment status.
Which identifiers you can use
Choose the right reference to access accurate, real-time tracking data
Effective tracking begins with using the correct identifier. Without it, even the most advanced system delivers incomplete or outdated information. Each identifier links to a different layer of shipment data, and using the wrong one-or using it incorrectly-can cause delays, missed slots, or unnecessary costs.
To track a shipment reliably, you should use one of the following:
- Container number (e.g. MSCU1234567): The standard 11-character code that links to the physical container and its location.
- Bill of Lading (BL) number: Connects the shipment to legal and logistical documentation, often used for tracing cargo ownership and responsibility.
- Booking reference: Used by the shipping line or freight forwarder to manage the entire shipment process.
- Master Airway Bill (MAWB) or House Bill of Lading (HBL): Common in multimodal or air-sea freight combinations, where multiple handovers occur.
Each reference type gives access to different datasets. Container numbers reveal where the unit is and whether it’s in use, idle, or empty. BL numbers and booking references give broader visibility over the shipment’s journey and documentation trail.
Before digital tracking platforms became widely adopted, trucking companies regularly faced operational losses due to incorrect or outdated identifiers. In many cases, 5–8% of dispatched trucks were turned away at depots, wasting hours and increasing emissions. Today, advanced platforms-backed by real-time data integration-have reduced this failure rate to less than 0.01%, nearly eliminating dead runs and boosting operational reliability.
How to track a container step by step
A simple process-powered by accurate data
Tracking a container today is faster and more precise than ever before-but only if the right data flows through the right channels. The process starts with the tracking number found on your shipping documentation. This might be a container number, a Bill of Lading (BL), or a booking reference.
Once you have the reference in hand, visit the carrier’s website or use a trusted third-party platform like Pier2Pier. Enter the tracking number into the designated field, and the system will pull live shipment data. This typically includes the container’s current location, the last port event it cleared, the estimated time of arrival (ETA), the shipping route, the name of the vessel, and any reported delays or transshipments.
Visibility tools have become especially crucial in cities facing congestion. In Toronto, for instance, chronic over-inventory at rail terminals caused truckers to wait two to three hours just to return an empty container. This kind of delay isn’t just frustrating-it’s expensive. With Pier2Pier’s real-time insights, drivers can now confirm available return slots before arriving, reducing idle time and improving route efficiency. The result is fewer missed loads, lower fuel costs, and better overall coordination across the supply chain.
Tools and technologies behind tracking
Digital infrastructure powering smarter logistics
Reliable container tracking depends on a layered system of technologies working in sync across carriers, platforms, and physical assets. At the foundation is the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which tracks the real-time position of vessels across global waters. Combined with GPS units and IoT sensors embedded in containers, AIS data allows platforms to pinpoint cargo location, detect delays, and verify when a container has entered or exited a port or depot.
Tracking doesn’t stop at location. Carriers maintain their own tracking portals that connect to internal booking and Bill of Lading data. Meanwhile, multi-carrier platforms-like Pier2Pier-pull information across different shipping lines into a unified interface. These platforms use APIs to automate the flow of data between systems, removing manual entry errors and improving responsiveness across the supply chain.
What sets advanced platforms apart is their modular approach. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all tool, they deliver customizable modules tailored to key parts of the container journey. A Street Turn Module, for instance, enables a container to move directly from import use to an export load, without returning to the depot. An Empty Release Module lets shippers digitally request empty containers, streamlining a task that once required dozens of emails and calls. Finally, the Empty Return Module shows live depot capacity and time slots for container drop-off, helping dispatchers avoid queues and wasted trips.
By integrating these functions into a single system, modern tracking platforms eliminate paper-based workflows, reduce turnaround times, and give users a real-time overview of container availability, status, and movement-all from a single screen.
Tracking via multi-carrier platforms
One dashboard. All your containers.
Managing container movements across multiple carriers used to mean juggling spreadsheets, emails, and fragmented portals. Today, multi-carrier tracking platforms like GoComet, FourKites, and Pier2Pier consolidate all that complexity into a single, unified dashboard. These systems allow users to track shipments regardless of the carrier-updating in real time as containers move through ports, transshipment hubs, or inland depots.
The biggest advantage lies in proactive control. Logistics managers receive immediate alerts when estimated arrival times shift, a container is gated in at port, or a delay affects delivery schedules. Custom rules can be set to notify planners or customer service teams before issues escalate, helping businesses act before problems become costly.
Beyond day-to-day visibility, these platforms offer insights that improve long-term performance. Historical delivery data reveals recurring pain points-like bottlenecks at specific terminals or inefficient routing patterns. With this data in hand, supply chain teams can refine operations and reduce friction across the board.
The impact is more than theoretical. In one example from Canada, a Pier2Pier-integrated platform facilitated over 20,000 successful street turn transactions. That meant tens of thousands of containers were reused without a return trip to the depot, cutting down on fuel costs, reducing driver hours, and slashing emissions. Centralized container tracking isn’t just a convenience-it’s a lever for operational and environmental efficiency.
Carrier-specific vs cross-carrier tracking
Why visibility improves when you break out of silos
Most global shipping lines-such as Maersk, MSC, ONE, and Hapag-Lloyd-offer tracking tools directly through their own websites. These platforms provide detailed updates for containers shipped via their networks, including current location, port events, and estimated arrival times. However, they operate in silos. If your supply chain spans multiple carriers, tracking each container requires logging into different systems, entering various identifiers, and comparing data manually. That fragmentation quickly becomes a bottleneck for teams managing dozens or even hundreds of shipments.
Cross-carrier platforms solve this problem by consolidating data from multiple carriers into one interface. Instead of switching between portals, users see all container movements in a unified dashboard-regardless of shipping line. This centralization not only saves time but also allows for more accurate planning, better coordination across teams, and stronger customer communication.
However, building a functional cross-carrier platform requires more than just API access. Each carrier and depot often uses different booking systems, event formats, and naming conventions. For instance, a simple status like “gated in” might be logged differently across systems, creating inconsistencies if not harmonized properly. Onboarding each partner demands both technical integration and ongoing data validation to ensure clean, reliable updates.
Despite these backend challenges, the payoff is significant. Once fully integrated, cross-carrier tracking allows businesses to reduce missed appointments, eliminate wasted depot trips, and gain a clearer understanding of container flows. For Pier2Pier users, this means fewer surprises and more control-without jumping through digital hoops.
Standards and interoperability (DCSA approach)
Why shared definitions matter for global tracking
In a fragmented logistics landscape, consistency is critical. That’s where the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) steps in. As an industry-led group, the DCSA has developed a set of open, neutral standards designed to harmonize how carriers, platforms, and partners share container tracking data.
At the heart of their framework is a standardized API for exchanging real-time container events. Instead of each carrier using its own data structure and terminology, the DCSA approach defines common event types-such as “Received at terminal,” “Gate out,” and “Loaded on vessel”-along with clear timestamp and location formats. These standards eliminate ambiguity and make it easier to understand the lifecycle of a shipment, no matter which system you’re working in.
The DCSA also breaks down the shipment journey into three key phases: pre-carriage (before vessel loading), main carriage (on the vessel), and on-carriage (post-discharge). This structure helps logistics providers and customers pinpoint where delays occur, whether it’s a late container pickup at origin or congestion at the final terminal.
While some systems can adopt these standards immediately, others-especially older Transport Management Systems (TMS)-require custom mapping and phased integration. But even when onboarding is complex, the long-term benefits are clear. Shared standards create a foundation for frictionless tracking, reduce miscommunication between parties, and accelerate the shift to fully digitized logistics.
At Pier2Pier, we follow these standards to ensure that the data flowing through our platform is not just available-but consistent, trustworthy, and actionable across your entire container journey.
Benefits of real-time tracking
From fewer surprises to real savings
Real-time container tracking doesn’t just provide location updates-it transforms how businesses manage supply chains, customers, and costs. By replacing guesswork with reliable data, teams gain the visibility they need to act quickly and plan ahead.
One of the clearest benefits is improved ETA precision. When logistics teams know exactly where a container is-and when it’s likely to arrive-they can coordinate pickups, notify warehouses, and allocate labor more effectively. That accuracy leads to fewer delays and more efficient handovers throughout the supply chain.
Customer communication also improves. Instead of reactive updates based on outdated data, real-time visibility enables proactive notifications. Clients no longer have to ask where their cargo is-they already know.
Operational resilience is another major gain. If a port experiences congestion or a vessel is delayed, tracking systems can flag disruptions early. Teams can then reroute containers, shift appointment times, or prepare backup plans without scrambling at the last minute.
The cost impact is equally significant. When tracking is tied to container availability and return slots, companies avoid detention and demurrage fees. They also eliminate redundant trips-sometimes called “dead runs”-by sending trucks only when containers are confirmed to be ready. On one platform, the rate of dead runs dropped from 5–8% to just 0.001%, thanks to real-time coordination.
But perhaps the most powerful shift is behavioral. When every move is measured, accountability follows. Drivers stop returning empties to random depots. Instead, they follow smart appointment data that ensures the container goes where it’s needed-no more, no less. That shift from habit to precision reduces emissions, saves money, and accelerates turnaround times.
At Pier2Pier, we believe that better tracking is the foundation for smarter logistics. And smarter logistics is how modern businesses stay competitive.
How to implement container tracking for your business
From plug-and-play features to deep integration
Adding container tracking to your business isn’t just about installing software-it’s about building a smarter logistics ecosystem. Whether you’re a freight forwarder, NVOCC, or 3PL, the right implementation approach depends on your systems, workflows, and customer needs.
One option is to embed a tracking widget directly into your website. This allows customers and partners to check the status of shipments without leaving your platform. It’s fast to implement, easy to brand, and reduces the load on your support team.
For businesses that manage larger volumes or want real-time automation, integrating tracking APIs into your ERP or TMS is the next step. With this approach, shipment data flows directly into your internal dashboards, helping teams act faster, avoid silos, and reduce manual coordination.
If custom development isn’t feasible, a third-party platform like Pier2Pier gives you instant visibility with no code required. From a single dashboard, you can track shipments across multiple carriers, receive live alerts, and coordinate returns without switching between portals.
Some businesses go a step further by offering branded tracking portals to their clients. These portals enhance the customer experience by providing transparency, reducing emails, and giving users control over their own cargo flow.
But technology alone isn’t the full picture. While carriers with modern systems can be onboarded quickly via API, others may still rely on manual or semi-automated tools. Success in either case depends on collaboration-not just code. The most effective implementations include hands-on onboarding, walkthroughs with operations teams, and alignment with customer service workflows.
At Pier2Pier, we’ve seen that the best results happen when tracking isn’t treated as a feature-but as a mindset. One that connects teams, partners, and platforms through shared visibility.
FAQs: Container tracking
Understanding how to track and trace containers is essential for modern supply chains. Below, we’ve compiled the most common questions to help logistics professionals, shippers, and business owners get the most out of tracking tools and technologies.
What is the difference between tracking and tracing?
Tracking shows a container’s current location, while tracing reveals its historical movements. Together, they provide full shipment transparency-crucial for reducing wait times, planning dispatches, and improving overall logistics efficiency across the supply chain.
Which container tracking platforms are the most reliable?
Platforms like Pier2Pier, FourKites, and GoComet are trusted multi-carrier solutions that offer accurate container data, cross-carrier integration, event alerts, and sustainability features like street turn modules and real-time depot capacity visibility.
Can I track a container without the container number?
Yes, you can often use a Bill of Lading (BL) number or booking reference instead. These identifiers link the shipment to relevant documentation and unlock tracking data-especially helpful in multimodal shipments or when the container number is unavailable.
Do all containers have GPS?
Not all containers have GPS. High-value or refrigerated (reefer) units may be equipped with IoT sensors, but most containers are tracked using AIS vessel data, depot scans, and platform updates from carriers and terminals.
Why is my container tracking not updating?
Tracking may not update due to customs holds, delayed depot scans, syncing issues, or incomplete documentation. If updates stall for several hours, switch to a multi-carrier platform or contact your carrier directly to investigate the delay.
How does container tracking support sustainability?
Container tracking helps reduce emissions by minimizing empty trips, optimizing returns, and enabling smart reuse like street turns. Platforms like Pier2Pier have helped truckers avoid thousands of idle hours-cutting fuel use and supporting broader ESG goals.
Do containers have GPS?
Some do-but not all. GPS tracking is most commonly found in high-value or temperature-sensitive shipments, such as reefers or pharmaceutical containers. For standard dry containers, location updates typically come from AIS vessel data and event-based depot scans. That means you’re not tracking the box itself, but the ship it’s on or the terminal it passed through.
How accurate is container tracking?
Most leading platforms provide near real-time updates, typically refreshed every one to two hours. For time-critical cargo, this level of precision is usually enough to anticipate port events or coordinate last-mile delivery. However, accuracy depends on carrier data quality and digital maturity, which can still vary widely across the industry.
Why isn’t my tracking updating?
There are a few common reasons. Delays may result from customs holds, scanning lags at transshipment points, or mismatched documentation between carrier systems. If your container hasn’t updated in more than 12 hours, consider using a multi-carrier platform like Pier2Pier to cross-check data. If discrepancies persist, contact the carrier directly to verify status.
Can I get notifications when something changes?
Yes. Most modern tracking platforms-including Pier2Pier-allow you to set up event-based notifications. These can include alerts for gate-in or gate-out, delays, changes in ETA, or when containers become available for reuse. Notifications can be sent via email, SMS, or API feeds to your internal systems.
What exactly is a street turn?
A street turn happens when an import container is reused for export without returning to the depot. It’s a key strategy for reducing empty mileage, saving costs, and lowering carbon emissions. Pier2Pier has facilitated thousands of successful street turns by combining container availability, geolocation, and carrier permissions in one digital workflow.
Best practices and troubleshooting tips
Smarter tracking starts with smarter habits
To get the full value from container tracking, precision matters-because a single missed scan or wrong identifier can trigger delays that ripple through your entire supply chain. The first step is always to verify your tracking information before dispatch. Whether you’re using a container number, BL, or booking reference, one typo can mean sending a truck to the wrong depot or arriving before a box is even available.
Next, make sure your team is using tools that display live depot availability for container return. Platforms like Pier2Pier give you a real-time view of return slots, reducing idle wait times and avoiding the costly “try your luck” approach still common at congested terminals. In cities like Toronto, this has already reduced truck idle time from hours to minutes.
Set up alerts for critical milestones like “Gate out,” “Discharge at port,” or when containers become available for reuse. These notifications help dispatchers act in real time, rather than react hours later-especially when handling multiple carriers and return deadlines.
If a container hasn’t updated in 12–24 hours, don’t wait passively. Contact the carrier directly or cross-reference the data on a platform that integrates multiple sources. Long silences could mean customs delays, missed scans, or outdated status data.
Finally, empower dispatchers and planners with clear, usable information. When drivers show up with validated return times and accurate location data, they’re less likely to be turned away, charged demurrage, or sent on costly dead runs. Smarter coordination isn’t just good logistics-it’s good business.
How container tracking supports sustainability goals
From saved seconds to measurable emissions cuts
Modern container tracking is more than a supply chain upgrade-it’s a powerful tool for driving environmental and social impact. Every hour a truck engine idles, it burns fuel, emits CO₂, and adds pressure to port operations. With over 30,000 transactions on platforms like Pier2Pier, truckers have already saved more than 60,000 hours of idling. That’s not just better scheduling-it’s a measurable contribution to ESG metrics.
When tracking tools enable street turns, they eliminate entire roundtrips by reusing containers for exports without sending them back to the depot. Similarly, live visibility of empty return slots prevents trucks from queuing blindly-cutting down on unnecessary miles, driver frustration, and carbon output.
These aren’t abstract benefits. They translate directly into fewer wasted journeys, improved driver well-being, and reduced fuel consumption. At scale, smarter tracking tools don’t just optimize logistics-they reshape behavior. And behavior is where real sustainability begins.
Whether you’re meeting internal ESG targets or preparing for emissions reporting requirements, container visibility is no longer optional. It’s a foundational capability for greener, leaner supply chains.
Unlock smarter logistics with real-time container tracking
Boost visibility, reduce waste, and take control of your supply chain
Tracking and tracing containers has evolved from basic location pings into a strategic tool for global logistics. With the right identifiers, smarter platforms, and real-time integrations, you gain more than just updates-you gain foresight. Visibility turns into action. Delays become manageable. And operations run smoother from port to final mile.
Solutions like Pier2Pier are redefining what container tracking means. Instead of siloed data, you get an end-to-end view. Instead of manual coordination, you get automated alerts. And instead of guesswork, you get precision-whether you’re reusing containers, reducing emissions, or streamlining depot returns.
It’s no longer about knowing where your container is. It’s about knowing what to do next.
Ready to take the next step? Start tracking with Pier2Pier today and stay ahead of every shipment.