How to Track Your First Shipment

 

Track your first shipment with Tracktainer
Starting a new tracking request is simple. You don't need to know the carrier in advance — Tracktainer can automatically detect the shipping line from your reference.

Step 1 — Enter your shipment reference
Go to the Tracktainer tracking page or dashboard and enter one of the following:

• 
  Container Number
  


• 
  Bill of Lading (B/L)
  


• 
  Booking Reference
  

For example:

MSCU7283613

Make sure the reference is entered correctly and does not contain unnecessary spaces or characters.

Step 2 — Let Tracktainer detect the carrier
By default, you can use Auto Detect.

Tracktainer analyzes the shipment reference and identifies the appropriate carrier automatically.

This means you don't have to manually search for the shipping line before starting the tracking request.

Step 3 — Click “Track Shipment”
Once your reference is entered, click:

Track Shipment

Tracktainer will create the tracking request and begin retrieving available shipment information from the carrier.

Step 4 — Wait for the first tracking data
In some cases, shipment information is available immediately.

In other cases, the tracking request may initially appear as Pending while Tracktainer waits for data from the carrier.

This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your shipment.

Step 5 — View your shipment
Once tracking information becomes available, your shipment will appear in your dashboard.

Depending on the available data, you may see information such as:

• 
  Current shipment status
  


• 
  Carrier
  


• 
  Port of Loading
  


• 
  Port of Discharge
  


• 
  ETD
  


• 
  ETA
  


• 
  Route information
  


• 
  Vessel information
  


• 
  Container milestones
  


• 
  Latest tracking events
  

What happens after I start tracking?
You don't need to repeatedly search for the same shipment.

Tracktainer continues monitoring the shipment and can notify you when important changes occur, including:

• 
  Voyage planned
  


• 
  Shipment in transit
  


• 
  Arrival
  


• 
  ETA changes
  


• 
  Gate-out events
  


• 
  Empty return events
  


• 
  Other shipment milestones
  

For example, the system can notify users when a planned shipment receives departure and arrival information. It can also notify users when an ETA changes and show the revised arrival date.

Can I track multiple shipments?
Yes.

You can add additional shipment references and manage your tracked shipments from the Tracktainer dashboard.

This is especially useful for freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and logistics teams managing multiple containers at the same time.

Having trouble starting a tracking request?
If your reference cannot be identified or carrier data is not yet available, the shipment may remain pending or tracking may eventually be cancelled.

Check that:

• 
  Your reference is correct
  


• 
  The container/B/L/booking number is valid
  


• 
  The carrier has already published shipment information
  

If the issue continues, contact Tracktainer Support.