You can track your shipments in MarineTraffic by opening the Container Tracking Dashboard, creating a New Tracking Request, filling in shipment details (manually or via file import), saving it, and then viewing shipment details such as status, vessel position, and transportation timeline.
This feature is part of the MarineTraffic Container Intelligence offer. MarineTraffic Container Intelligence gives you complete, independent visibility over your ocean supply chain, from vessel departure to final container terminal arrival, with 3 powerful tools built for logistics, freight, and supply chain professionals.
1. Open the Container Tracking Dashboard
Log in to your MarineTraffic account.
From the left menu on the main page, go to Containers → Tracking.
You will land on your Personal Shipments dashboard.
2. Start a New Tracking Request
Click on New Tracking Request in the top-right corner of the dashboard.
3. Fill in Shipments Details
You have two options of adding your new shipments:
Manual Import (add shipments one by one) :
Number: Enter the Container Number, Master Bill of Lading Number, or Booking Number.
Type: Select the document type.
Shipping Line: Choose the shipping line.
Tags: Add labels (e.g. “Urgent”, “On Hold”).
To add more than one shipment at once, click Add Tracking Request.
File Import (bulk upload):
Go to the File Import tab (second tab).
Upload a CSV (comma separated file) or Excel file from your computer.
First, download the sample file and follow the formatting instructions to structure your data correctly.
🔍 Best Practices for Accurate Tracking
To ensure the best possible results when entering shipment details:
Use the Master Bill of Lading: For optimal accuracy, use the Master BL or Booking Number with the Carrier Code.
Match carrier and reference accurately: Mismatched entries can cause failed tracking.
Use AUTO cautiously: Only use the AUTO function when you don’t know the carrier; entering the carrier SCAC gives better results.
Wait before adding: Allow a few days after booking for the carrier system to update.
Avoid duplicate requests: Use one reliable reference per shipment to prevent duplicates and extra charges.
4. Save the Shipment
At the bottom of the form, click Next to review your details.
Click Confirm to save the shipment.
📌 Important:
After saving, the shipment will appear under Pending status until we fetch the data.
Usually, this updates within a few minutes.
If no data is found, the shipment may remain Pending for up to 5 days, after which it will show as Failed.
Where shipments are stored?
Every shipment you enter is saved under “My shipments” tab and under “Company Shipments” tab.
My Shipments tab → your own shipments.
Company Shipments tab → all shipments added by users across your organization.
5. View Your Shipment
Click the Open button at the end of a shipment row to view details.
You will see:
Shipment details
Current shipment status
Vessel’s live position on the map
Events Timeline → container-related milestones
Transportation Timeline → the full journey, including transshipment ports and all vessel calls at via ports while carrying your shipment
By following these steps, you can easily add, save, and track your shipments in the Container Tracking Dashboard.