Exim Container Tracking Module
- Karthik
Introduction
The Ocean Shipment Tracking Module is a comprehensive solution for shippers and logistics professionals, providing real-time visibility, flexibility, security, collaboration, and automated reporting. The platform is designed to streamline ocean freight operations, improve communication, and enhance transparency with stakeholders. This documentation explains the system's functionality, key features, user workflows, and unique value propositions.
Key Features
1. Shipment Tracking
The core function of our platform is to track ocean shipments using various identifiers, including:
Bill of Lading (BL) Numbers
Booking Numbers
House Bill of Lading (HBL) Numbers
Container Numbers
Tracking information is continuously updated with new events, allowing users to see the exact location and status of their shipments at any given time.
2. Flexible Shipment Entry
Users can add shipments into the system in various ways:
Manual Entry: Users can enter shipment details individually through the dashboard. This is ideal for smaller shipments or when entering specific information for customization.
Bulk Excel Upload: For larger volumes of shipments, users can upload multiple shipments using an Excel template. This feature is ideal for freight forwarders and companies managing numerous shipments at once.
POST API Request: Integrate with external systems or automated workflows by using the API to add shipments programmatically. This method provides seamless integration with existing software and workflows.
3. Customizable Access Levels
To ensure data security and confidentiality, users can define access levels for each shipment. This feature allows for granular control over who can view specific shipments:
Workplace Access: All users within the workplace can view the shipment.
Team Access: Only members of a specific team can view the shipment.
Individual Access: Only a designated individual can view the shipment.
4. Automated and Manual Tracking Refresh
The system automatically refreshes tracking information at regular intervals. Depending on the shipping line and the shipment's complexity, the refresh intervals can range from 6 to 24 hours. This automation ensures that users always have the most recent information without manual effort.
Additionally, users can manually refresh shipment tracking if they need to check for updates outside the scheduled refresh intervals. This feature provides flexibility and ensures that users can get the latest information when needed.
5. Comprehensive Tracking Events
The system captures a detailed chronological record of tracking events. These events include:
Container Pickup: Marks when an empty container is picked up from the port.
Container Loaded: Indicates when the container is loaded onto a vessel.
Vessel Departure: The time and location of the vessel's departure.
Transshipment Events: When a container is transferred from one vessel to another.
Vessel Arrival: Marks when the vessel arrives at a port.
Container Discharge: Indicates when the container is unloaded from the vessel.
Container Return: Marks the return of the empty container to the port.
These events are automatically updated and presented in chronological order, providing a clear and comprehensive view of the shipment's journey.
6. Sharing Shipment Information
To facilitate collaboration and transparency, users can share shipment tracking information with external stakeholders. A unique 'Share' link can be generated for each shipment, allowing recipients to view the shipment tracking details without needing direct access to the platform.
This feature is ideal for sharing information with customers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders involved in the shipment process.
7. Customizable Reports
Users can create customized report templates that capture tracking information for each shipment. These reports can include various data points, such as shipment status, tracking events, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and more. The platform allows users to automate the delivery of these reports to internal and external stakeholders through email attachments.
This feature streamlines communication and reduces manual effort, ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed with up-to-date information.
How It Works
Adding Shipments
To add a shipment to the system, users can use one of three methods:
Manual Entry: Users enter shipment details into the dashboard. This method is suitable for smaller shipments or when specific customization is needed.
Bulk Excel Upload: Users upload a preformatted Excel template containing shipment details. This method is ideal for adding multiple shipments at once.
POST API Request: Integration with external systems allows shipments to be added programmatically. This method is ideal for companies with automated workflows or integration needs.
Defining Access Levels
When adding shipments, users can define the access level for each shipment. This feature allows for precise control over who can view the shipment:
Workplace Access: All users within the workplace can view the shipment.
Team Access: Only members of a specific team can view the shipment.
Individual Access: Only a designated individual can view the shipment.
This access control ensures data security and prevents unauthorized access to sensitive shipment information.
Tracking Shipments
Once a shipment is added to the system, the platform begins tracking it. Tracking typically starts when the 'Empty container pickup from port' event is generated by the shipping line. The system captures all significant tracking events throughout the shipment's journey, providing a complete chronological record.
The system automatically refreshes tracking information at regular intervals, ensuring users always have the latest updates. Users can manually refresh the tracking or mark a shipment as completed if automated tracking has not updated the status.
Flexible Data Retrieval
The GET API allows users to retrieve shipment tracking information using various identifiers, such as Bill of Lading (BL) numbers, Booking numbers, House Bill of Lading (HBL) numbers, or Container numbers. The below example is a summary encapsulating the significant details from the given shipment tracking API response, indicating that the shipment is progressing through its scheduled route without any delays.
Shipment Details:
Shipment ID: 344597
Bill of Lading (BL) Number: SSZ1234567
Shipping Line: CMA CGM
Loading Port: Santos, SP, Brazil (BRSSZ)
Discharge Port: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SAJED)
Shipment Type: Bill of Lading (BL)
Final Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): May 10, 2024
Current Status: In transit, as the shipment is progressing on schedule without delays
Original ETA: May 10, 2024
Container Details: The shipment contains one 40-foot high-cube container with the number TCLU1234567. The container is in transit and was last tracked at Tanger Med, Morocco on April 26, 2024.
Shipment Tracking Events:
The tracking data shows multiple significant events for this shipment:
Loading and Departure from Santos, Brazil:
The container was loaded onto the vessel SAN MARCO MAERSK on April 9, 2024.
It departed from Santos, Brazil on the same day.
Transshipment at Tanger Med, Morocco:
The container was discharged from SAN MARCO MAERSK at Tanger Med, Morocco on April 21, 2024, and subsequently transferred between multiple vessels.
The container was then re-loaded onto the vessel CMA CGM PUGET on April 26, 2024, and departed from Tanger Med later that day.
Expected Arrival:
The final estimated arrival at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is set for May 10, 2024.
Other Information:
Coordinates: The current location's latitude and longitude are 26.8328 and 121.411, respectively.
Shipping Route Details: The transit involves Santos, Brazil, and Tanger Med, Morocco, before arriving at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Incoterm: Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF).
Sharing Shipment Information
Users can generate a 'Share' link for each shipment to share tracking information with external stakeholders. This link allows recipients to view the shipment's tracking details without direct access to the platform. This feature promotes collaboration and transparency, making it easy to share information with customers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders.
Customizable Reports
Users can create customized report templates to capture tracking information for each shipment. The platform allows users to automate the delivery of these reports to internal and external stakeholders via email attachments. This feature reduces manual effort and ensures that stakeholders are kept informed with accurate and timely information.
Key Value Propositions
Real-time Visibility: The platform provides complete visibility into ocean shipments, allowing users to track their shipments in real-time and make informed decisions.
Flexibility: The system allows shipments to be added in various ways, including manual entry, bulk Excel upload, and POST API integration. This flexibility accommodates different workflows and business needs.
Security and Access Control: Users can define access levels for each shipment, ensuring data security and confidentiality within teams and workplaces.
Collaboration and Transparency: The 'Share' link allows users to share shipment tracking information with external stakeholders, fostering collaboration and building trust.
Automated Reporting: Customizable reports can be automated, reducing manual effort and streamlining communication with internal and external stakeholders.