Vessel Tracking and ETA for Ocean Freight

Vessel tracking consists of checking a ship’s current location anytime and anywhere in the world. Having this information is key for all the stakeholders of the sea transport industry: shippers, importers, shipping lines and shipping agencies, freight forwarders, port authorities, etc. It helps them in various ways, depending on their respective activities:

• prepare documentation, customs clearance, and cargo pick-up;
• better manage operations;
• improve vessel security;
• follow-up their fleet performance;
• ensure smooth communication between remote ashore/offshore parties.

Locating a commercial vessel in real-time along its journey is easy, using modern tools without having to log in with a user ID and password.

How do I check vessel tracking?

Finding a vessel’s exact location along its journey and getting details about it only takes seconds, using its name or MMSI/IMO number. Tracking websites like Visi-Fleet or mobile apps that aggregate data from all vessel monitoring systems (VMS) offer accurate information on any ship.

How do I track a container ship?

A container ship’s real-time location can be easily tracked on dedicated websites or apps, thanks to the data provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) worldwide network. The user can simply use either the container number or the Master Bill of Lading. If he/she knows the IMO number or the name of the vessel that carries its cargo, he/she may also use it to follow up on the vessel’s progress at sea.

How do you track a vessel on a bill of lading?

Various websites and apps are used to track a vessel on a bill of lading. The only information needed to do so is the ship’s name or MMSI/IMO number and its exact location can be displayed on an interactive map. A single click on the icon representing the vessel on the nautical charts provides the user with additional valuable data:

• latest moves;
• current status;
• next port of call;
• estimated time of arrival, etc.