Plan, procure, execute, & track transportation for every shipment across your supply chain & logistics operations
A SaaS solution to help grow your business by achieving 100% perfect order execution at high volumes
Increase vehicle capacity utilization and customer promise adherence
Grow your business with omnichannel presence and automated pickups
Consolidate shipments for hub to hub movement across land and air
Real-time customer communications and collect accurate PODs
Orchestrate logistics operations with multiple 3rd party carriers
Achieve cost effective, scalable, sustainable, and customer centric deliveries
Orchestrate all your cross-border logistics operations with ease
Improve address accuracy, ensure first-attempt delivery success, reduce costs and boost customer experience
Gain end-to-end shipment visibility, get proactive alerts, and send customers live tracking links
Grow business in a dynamic world and manage operations across First, Middle & Last mile
Delight customers by seamlessly managing store and online orders across own fleet and 3rd party
Reduce freight costs & get end to end visibility across shipments
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Market growth projections of multiple container tracking solutions are expected to exceed a growth rate of CAGR 28% by 2026. Similarly, another research states that the market of smart containers will reach $ 9.7 billion by 2027.
Global trade surpassed the 2020 benchmark by 25% and reached a record level of USD 28.5 trillion by the end of 2021. In the same year, more than 80% of global trade was carried out by sea. Apart from meeting the delivery timeline, container security, port congestion, shipment container shortages, and crew shortages are a few challenges that demand real-time visibility and robust multiple shipments tracking solutions.
As cross-border trade is expected to gain momentum over the next years and supply chain professionals are looking for ways to make supply chain management more efficient, robust, and data-driven, real time container tracking is becoming increasingly important. Businesses are looking for ways to optimize shipment movements irrespective of the distance between the movement points and wish to share real-time updates with multiple stakeholders in the entire ecosystem.
Customers are also prioritizing brands that serve proactive communication in an automated manner. All these factors are driving the need for smart and reliable multiple-container tracking systems.
In this blog, we will dive deep into multiple container tracking, different approaches for tracking, its benefits, and must-have features of smart container tracking software.
Container tracking is the process of locating the live location and status of a shipping container using references such as the container number, bill of lading, or booking number. Container tracking is required not only for getting the exact status of the shipment in-transit but it is also consequential for visibility into the entire supply chain. Despite the adoption of different types of automation in the freight industry, multiple container tracking tends to be largely manual, as every shipment needs to be tracked individually by submitting various numbers and codes.
A smart container tracking software can overcome this dependence on manual elements and help businesses automate status reporting as well.
Multiple container tracking enables businesses to track the status, live location, and other shipping information of more than one shipment in one go. They can get real-time updates about all the key milestone events and also share dynamic shipment status updates with their customers.
As freight forwarders deploy the services of multiple shipping companies to ship equipment, products, or manufactured goods via containers to ports across national and international boundaries. With the help of multiple container tracking solutions, organizations can simplify order visibility. This allows them to save time and cost, along with keeping the end customers aware of any potential changes to the delivery plan.
There are two types of tracking systems: the Standard Container Tracking System and the GPS Container Tracking System.
The standard container tracking system shows the movements of the container as it passes through key ports. However, the GPS container tracking system provides real-time details, including temperature, speed, latitude, longitude, shock reports, etc.
In international supply chain operations, the status and safety of containers are more significant than tracking, which smart GPS container tracking solutions can seamlessly ensure.
Freight forwarders can track a container via the BL (bill of lading), booking number, and container number. Before understanding the two approaches to multiple container tracking, let us understand these three terms in depth.
The carrier issues a bill of lading to the shipper. A bill of lading provides details of the type, quantity, and destination of the goods shipped. It is a legal document that is necessary for international trade for the movement of freight. It guarantees that the consignor receives the payment and the consignee receives the order.
The carriers generally associate a particular shipment with a bill of lading number. Subsequently, all associated containers are associated with it. To track, one can select the BL option on the carrier website and input the required details. This would allow insights into the latest tracking information associated with the BL number.
The container number is also known as the container identification number. It is a legal and commercial reference number that is assigned to a freight container. Each container is given a unique number that is made up of four letters and seven numbers, each with its relevance in streamlining the tracking process.
The shipping lines assign containers to specific vessels whose positions can be tracked via an AIS transponder. This allows easier identification of the current stage of the container shipments as well as live tracking status. Other than designated carrier websites, these can be easily accessed using third-party tracking websites. This is made possible by obtaining container information from carriers through APIs.
The carrier or freight forwarder issues a booking number to shippers. When a shipper books a consignment, they receive a receipt or invoice that has a booking number on it. Such booking numbers can be used to track the containers in a manner similar to BL numbers.
A point of caution here is to be aware that shipping lines and freight forwarders have separate numbers. So be careful while using them to track containers. Shipping line websites are often considered sources of accurate and official data as they provide first-hand information on container and vessel data.
Freight forwarders, logistics managers, shippers, and others can track multiple containers manually by visiting each shipping line’s website separately. Although this is a cheaper method, this approach consumes a significant amount of time and effort. As a result, a substantial number of man-hours may lapse, and chances of errors creep in.
Further, this approach is non-scalable and irrelevant for businesses with thousands of international shipments.
A more practical approach is to use automated multiple container tracking systems or software that automates the real-time container tracking process. As a result, freight forwarders, 3PL/4PL providers, and shipping lines can track multiple containers and simultaneously receive proactive alerts, notifications, and daily shipment reports via a single unified platform.
Let us understand the benefits of multiple container tracking solutions in reference to the above-mentioned second approach.
The container tracking system automatically tracks and updates the real-time information of multiple containers. This eliminates the manual efforts involved in tracking and tracing out the live location of containers. Freight forwarders and shippers get automated alerts when a container reaches its destination.
Visibility is a critical requirement of supply chain operations. Multiple container tracking software provides real-time tracking, status, and shipping conditions of all shipments through a unified dashboard. As a result, customers have access to holistic tracking information with a few clicks.
Shippers, freight forwarders, custom housing agents, consignees, and consignors – transparency is critical to all involved stakeholders. Visibility and transparency serve distinct purposes for these stakeholders. As a result, they all get useful analytical data to align their operations and plan their future orders accordingly. Also, this helps keep an accurate track of SLAs and KPIs across the entire shipment process.
Container tracking systems prevent detention and demurrage by predicting the possible delays at routes and fostering relevant actions before it is too late.
This is helpful, especially in destination operations. Here freight forwarders, customs agents, and truckers have to accurately track shipping containers to process required shipping documentation on time. This reduces time spent in loading or off-loading, thereby reducing the chances of demurrage charges being levied.
Freight forwarders can plan cargo operations more efficiently with the help of multiple container tracking systems, as they can keep the containers ready ahead of time, keep all documentation handy, and get customs clearance ahead of time.
For shipping lines and 3PL/4PL providers, who usually manage complex supply chains, intelligent real-time container tracking allows for optimized planning as well as implementation.
Container tracking systems reduce the possibility of lost or stolen inventory. Freight forwarders can save on labor costs and adhere to SLA guidelines. This significantly reduces the chances of accidental off-loading or wrong port visits by shipping partners. For manufacturers, this means safer and quicker deliveries creating better business opportunities.
Container tracking systems provide analytical information that helps optimize container utilization and shipping routes. This is advantageous for shipping partners as this saves both fuel and time.
Since the benefits of container tracking systems are immense, it is significant to explore the useful features of a real-time container tracking system that one should expect while investing in smart multiple container tracking solutions.
Although the market is full of multiple container tracking systems, not all systems offer useful features that can meet the unique needs of your business. Some of the essential features of automated solutions for multiple container tracking are:
The automated multiple container tracking systems should offer a unified dashboard and interface. It enables real-time container tracking of multiple shipments across international borders through a single dashboard.
This feature extends the option of tracking shipments in real-time across partners and shipping lines with timestamps. Therefore, organizations experience higher agility, better visualization, effective shipment lifecycle insights, and proactive alerts at a single screen for faster and more informed decision-making.
Automated multiple container tracking solutions that offer seamless integration among existing systems make strategic planning and decision-making more realistic.
Automated solutions should integrate with your existing ERP/WMS/OMS/CMS and other business systems seamlessly. Their integration makes critical information sharing possible, and as a result, on-time reporting becomes possible. The overall productivity of logistic operations goes up, and all the decision-makers get real-time information regarding overall cargo operations in one place.
Freight forwarders deal with multiple containers and shipments. Each shipment goes through a distinct life cycle, which escalates the complexity of international cargo operations. A shipper follows the below-mentioned shipment lifecycle:
Inquiry: The first stage of shipment lifecycle management starts with raising inquiries regarding freight rate procurement.
Price and shipment terms finalization: Once the shipper decides the rates, the duration, and frequency of the freight are finalized.
Shipment Execution: Here, the shipper gets booking information for the shipment. Many times, exporters dispatch cargo in phases. Therefore, booking information helps line forwarders to send empty containers to the shipper’s location as per the booking details.
In transit: Once the shipment leaves the facility, freight forwarders complete the necessary documentation required for the successful execution of the shipment.
Transportation: At this stage, the shipment moves to its destination for delivery.
Each stage has its unique challenges and formalities; if a line forwarder or freight forwarder manages all related operations manually for each shipper, the possibility of errors and delays will rise.
Smart multiple container tracking solutions have inbuilt lifecycle management features that keep freight forwarders updated about different life cycle needs and challenges of multiple shipments. This streamlines the functions of freight forwarders in a smarter and more productive manner.
Since 90% of international trade happens through sea routes. Demurrage and detention are significant factors that can dent the reputation, profitability, and future associations of involved parties.
Smart multiple container tracking solutions offer enhanced visibility right from the source to the destination. This eradicates the possibility of demurrage and detention by alerting the concerned stakeholders proactively about approaching deadlines. Smart container tracking solutions consolidate all multiple container-related data in one place and extract useful insights for decision-makers. This helps with calculating the monetary impact of demurrage and detention and starting to work on solutions to avoid any such penalties.
This is a premium feature that streamlines communication among custom housing agents (CHAs), line forwarders, and freight forwarders. They can collaborate across and within their teams through a single dashboard. This feature enhances transparency, agility, and efficacy across the supply chain operations.
As import and export processes become extremely vital for continued operations, these collaborative features help a great deal.
Automated tracking systems of multiple containers enhance functionality among cargo operations by providing live updates and notifications regarding the progress of shipments. This feature allows line forwarders, freight forwarders, and custom housing agents to plan their further operations accordingly. As a result, a seamless flow of operations, real-time status, and security updates confirm the success of overall freight operations.
Analytics is the foundation of robust international cargo operations. Line forwarders and freight forwarders get insights on carrier performance, route-specific patterns, carbon emissions, port traffic, and its implication on overall operational costs. This helps them to plan their future cargo operations and routes efficiently.
Smart data analytics allow a deeper look into areas of improvement in logistics planning by taking into account factors like transshipment aging, carrier, volume, etc. This further aids precise decision-making with customized business reports.
Cargo operations are not simple; each successful delivery goes through a long chain of events. Therefore, it is important to have robust coordination and planning throughout all stages. Intelligent multiple container tracking software enables predictive ETAs that eradicate the possible burden of deadhead miles. For instance, once cargo reaches its destination port, trucks are required to execute last-mile delivery. In the absence of this critical information, freight forwarders will end up paying unwanted deadhead miles.
Intelligent multiple-container tracking solutions provide regular shipment reports of all containers. Line forwarders and freight forwarders can easily share these reports among customers, partners, and other freight management stakeholders.
Shipsy’s future-ready platforms, with low-code integration and seamless third-party connectors, allow businesses to rapidly implement automated multiple container tracking. A single platform to communicate and collaborate with designated forwarders and shipping lines allows internal teams to maximize operational efficiency.
Shipsy’s customized SaaS-based multiple container tracking logistics solutions help logistic businesses to automate core logistics processes, monitor real-time container tracking, achieve better profitability by preventing demurrage and detention of containers, and meet the delivery SLA timelines.
Some of the tangible benefits of Shipsy’s multiple container tracking solutions are
To know more about Shipsy’s smart multiple container tracking solutions and to get started with intelligent end-to-end logistics solutions, please book a customized demo now!
Do cross-border deliveries still bother you? Read how a smart container tracking software solution helps you track shipments in real-time, reduce incidental costs, offer dynamic ETAs, and improve CX.
Multimodal visibility facilitates real-time tracking shipments to help shippers know the exact status of the shipment and avoid delivery delays, increasing transportation costs, and other problems.
