Tracking Requirements

The OpenTrack visibility platform is designed to track containers in real time on active voyages through integration with a variety of data sources, including ocean carriers, terminals, rail carriers, AIS tracking, and more.

Our advanced data aggregation and exception detection systems run continuously to provide dense, accurate, and timely updates—capable of identifying disruptions such as rolled cargo events.

Important: OpenTrack is not a historical tracking solution

To ensure successful tracking, we encourage customers to initiate tracking at origin (e.g., during ISF filing). OpenTrack cannot guarantee the same level of data quality for events that have already occurred.

This is particularly true once a container has arrived at the final ocean port of discharge. Because OpenTrack relies on real-time data from sources like terminals, once a container has reached its final port, those sources may stop reporting critical status updates such as availability notices, last free day, or demurrage.

Important: OpenTrack requires the ocean carrier Master Bill of Lading (MBL)

To enable tracking, an ocean carrier–issued Master Bill of Lading (MBL) number is required. This ensures accurate identification of the associated container voyage and allows OpenTrack to match your shipment to the correct data feeds.

Other best practices

To learn more about how we recommend you use our API, see our guide on Tracking Best Practices.