OpenTrack standardizes container weight data across all sources to ensure consistency, accuracy, and ease of use for operational workflows, analytics, and sustainability reporting.
All container weights in OpenTrack are reported as gross weight in kilograms (grossWeight), eliminating discrepancies caused by inconsistent reporting across steamship lines, rail carriers, and terminals. This enables reliable partner communication, accurate analytics, and improved environmental impact calculations.
Now you get reliable weight information that helps you:
Avoid expensive dry runs and wasted trips
Automate delivery order creation
Send the right chassis and equipment every time
Estimate emissions more accurately
Plan your operations with confidence
Coverage and Availability
Not all steamship lines provide weight data the same way (or at all), but we're constantly working to expand our coverage. To see which carriers and terminals currently provide weight information, check out our coverage documentation.
Why Standardization Matters
Different data providers report container weights in inconsistent ways:
Units – Some use kilograms (kg), others use pounds (lb).
Weight type – Some report gross weight (container + cargo), while others report net weight (cargo only).
These inconsistencies can lead to operational and analytical issues:
Mis-priced trucking moves due to incorrect weight assumptions
Wrong equipment selection (e.g., dispatching a chassis unsuitable for actual weight)
Costly dry runs if equipment needs to be changed after a failed pickup attempt
Inaccurate sustainability reporting, since emissions calculations depend heavily on accurate weight data
Standardization ensures a predictable and reliable weight value, reducing these risks.
How to Use Container Weight to Save Time and Money
Operational Automation
When you have reliable weight data at your fingertips, you can automate creation of delivery orders and other workflows. This means:
Accurate Trucking Coordination – Ensure correct pricing and equipment selection by sharing consistent weight data with truckers and other partners.
Dry Run Prevention – Reduce equipment mismatches and avoid dry runs caused by weight misreporting.
Freed-Up Team Capacity – Less time spent on administrative tasks allow your team to spend more time focused on providing better service.
Faster & Better Operations – Make fewer manual data entry errors and process shipments faster.
Analytics & Reporting
Reliable Emissions Analysis – Many emissions models calculate CO₂ output based on container weight and distance traveled.
Performance Insights – Assess how container weight affects transit times, costs, and other key logistics metrics.
How OpenTrack Standardizes Container Weights
1. Source Analysis
OpenTrack evaluates every integrated data source to determine:
Whether weight is reported in kilograms or pounds
Whether weight is reported as gross or net
2. Data Normalization
All weight values are converted to kilograms.
Gross weight is used as the standard.
If only net weight is available, OpenTrack adds the estimated tare weight of the container based on its equipment type (e.g., 20-foot standard, 40-foot standard, 40-foot high cube).
3. Transformation Rules
Each data source’s weight is transformed into the standard gross weight in kilograms (grossWeight) for all downstream applications.
Accessing Container Weight in OpenTrack
The standardized container weight is available across OpenTrack’s platform:
Method | How to Access |
Dashboard | Visible on the container detail page or as a column in Explore |
API | Available as |