OpenTrack tracks containers in near real time using data from ocean carriers, terminals, rail carriers, vessel tracking systems, and other logistics sources. Once a shipment is added, OpenTrack automatically begins monitoring the container lifecycle and reporting milestone updates.
Best Practice: Start Tracking Early
For the most accurate visibility, shipments should be added as early as possible in the shipment lifecycle, ideally when the shipment is booked or during ISF filing.
Tracking shipments later in the lifecycle may result in missing historical events. For example, if tracking begins after a container has already been discharged at the destination port, some earlier milestones and estimated events may not be available
Method 1: Track a Shipment Manually
This is the easiest way to begin tracking a shipment.
Step 1) Navigate to Start Tracking from the left navigation menu.
Step 2) Enter the Master Bill of Lading (MBL) and select the ocean carrier.
💡 Tip: If the Master Bill includes the carrier SCAC prefix, OpenTrack will automatically identify the carrier.
Example
MAEU123456789
3) Click "ADD" to Track Shipment
OpenTrack will begin locating all containers associated with the Master Bill.
4) View Discovered Containers
Once containers are discovered, they will appear in your account. Expand the shipment row to view all containers on that bill.
5) View Container Summary
Click on a container number to open the Container Summary View, where you can see:
Shipment milestones
Vessel information
Estimated arrival times
Terminal data
Location updates
Other Ways to Track Shipments
Depending on how many shipments you need to track, OpenTrack offers additional tracking methods.
Bulk Upload
Upload multiple shipments at once using a CSV file.
Track via the OpenTrack API
Shipments can also be tracked automatically using integrations or system automation.
Search for Tracked Containers
Once containers are discovered, you can search for them from the Explore page.
Search using:
Master Bill of Lading
Container Number
Note: Newly tracked shipments may take up to one minute to appear in search results.
Troubleshooting
If a shipment remains in a LOCATING state, the most common cause is an invalid tracking number.
OpenTrack requires the ocean carrier–issued Master Bill of Lading. House bills or freight forwarder references cannot be used for tracking.
Some carriers may also take longer to return container data. OpenTrack will update the shipment automatically once the containers are discovered.
Next Steps
Now that you have successfully tracked your first shipment, you can start adding more shipments and exploring additional OpenTrack features.
Learn how to add multiple shipments at once using a CSV file.
Automatically add shipments to OpenTrack by emailing a spreadsheet.
Learn how to view milestones, vessel information, and container activity.