Container tracking and ETA
Container tracking and ETA updates for import teams
Tyllus tracks ocean containers and their ETAs for importers and their import teams. It tracks containers automatically for 11 carriers, including MSC, ONE, Evergreen, HMM and ZIM, and the Tyllus team checks the ETA for every other line. Enter a container number with the MBL or carrier name; when the ETA changes, Tyllus re-times the customs, document and invoice steps that depend on it.
Updated: October 3, 2026
Which carriers does Tyllus track automatically?
Tyllus tracks containers automatically for 11 ocean carriers and re-checks their ETAs every day. You can also press Refresh at any time for an on-demand check.
For every other shipping line, the Tyllus team checks the ETA for you and fills in the port of loading, port of discharge and departure date (ETD). Every shipment gets an ETA, whatever the line.
| Shipping line | ETA in Tyllus |
|---|---|
| MSC | Tracked automatically |
| ONE (Ocean Network Express) | Tracked automatically |
| Evergreen Marine | Tracked automatically |
| HMM | Tracked automatically |
| Yang Ming | Tracked automatically |
| ZIM | Tracked automatically |
| PIL (Pacific International Lines) | Tracked automatically |
| SM Line | Tracked automatically |
| TURKON | Tracked automatically |
| Arkas | Tracked automatically |
| Global Feeder | Tracked automatically |
| Any other line, for example Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO or OOCL | Checked by the Tyllus team, with port of loading, port of discharge and ETD |
What do you need to start tracking a container?
A container number plus the master bill of lading (MBL) number or the carrier name. Tyllus recognises the carrier from the MBL prefix (the carrier code, or SCAC) and from common carrier names and abbreviations, so nobody has to pick the line from a list.
Inside a managed shipment, tracking starts once the shipping documents are in and runs until arrival is confirmed. The vessel name and voyage come from the freight forwarder's booking confirmation.
Read the three tracking steps
Enter the container number. Add the MBL number or the carrier name. Tyllus recognises the carrier and shows the carrier's events, the ETD and the ETA, re-checked every day.
What do you see for every container?
Every tracked container shows the carrier's information next to the order it belongs to, so purchasing, logistics and finance read the same status.
- The carrier's event list (milestones) for the container.
- The container type, for example 40' high cube or 20' reefer.
- The latest movement and the container's current location.
- The departure date (ETD) from the port of loading.
- The ETA at the destination port, shown in that port's local time.
- The purchase order (PO) and the carrier.
- A Refresh button that re-checks the ETA whenever you need it.
What happens when an ETA changes?
Tyllus re-times every step that depends on the ETA automatically, so nobody moves dates in a spreadsheet or rewrites reminders by hand. Each material ETA change is also written to the shipment's activity history.
- Customs request to your customs broker: moves to 7 days before the new ETA.
- Missing-documents check: moves to 5 days before the new ETA.
- Forwarder invoice request: moves with the new arrival date.
- Final documents check: moves with the new arrival date.
- Delayed flag: a shipment is flagged Delayed when its ETA has passed and arrival has not been confirmed.
- Delay reasons: the freight forwarder can report a delay as vessel delay, port congestion, transshipment, schedule change, weather, customs or terminal, or other.
Can you see all your containers on a map?
Yes. Every shipment with an ETA, origin and destination appears on a world route map, so the team sees what is on the water and what arrives this week.
- The route from origin to destination, including transshipment stops taken from the carrier's events.
- The vessel's estimated position along its route.
- The PO and ETA when you hover over a vessel.
- Badges for arriving within 3 days, arriving within a week, and arrived.
- Port names typed any way are recognised against about 14,000 port and place names.
Can you track containers without creating a shipment?
Yes. Tyllus tracks containers in two ways: inside a managed shipment in the Shipment Hub, with documents, partners and costs, or as tracking-only containers you simply want to watch.
- Import tracking-only containers from your own spreadsheet in any column layout; Tyllus matches the columns for you.
- Tracking-only containers archive themselves 2 days after their ETA.
- Export the tracking list to Excel whenever you need to share it.
Which imports and container types does Tyllus cover?
Tyllus is built for ocean imports into the United States and definitive ocean imports into Mexico. Your team, suppliers, forwarders and customs brokers can work from any country.
- 20' and 40' dry containers and 40' high cube containers.
- 20' and 40' reefer containers.
- 20' and 40' open top and flat rack containers.
- On arrival, the forwarder can attach trucking or delivery invoices and proof of delivery to the shipment.
How does Tyllus compare with a carrier portal or a tracking-only tool?
A carrier portal shows one line's containers, and a tracking-only tool shows ETAs across the lines it covers. Tyllus adds what happens next: the ETA drives the customs, document and invoice steps of the same shipment.
| Question | Carrier portal or tracking-only tool | Tyllus |
|---|---|---|
| Where does the ETA come from? | The carrier's estimate, one portal per line, or the lines the tool covers | 11 carriers tracked automatically and re-checked daily; the Tyllus team checks every other line |
| What happens downstream when the ETA changes? | A new date appears; dependent tasks are moved by hand | The customs request, missing-documents check, invoice request and final documents check re-time automatically |
| Where are the documents? | Usually in email and shared drives | In the shipment record, read by Tyllus, with each value marked Accepted or Needs review |
| Who chases partners? | Your team, by email | 9 of the 11 steps of a US shipment ask the right supplier, forwarder or broker automatically, with reminders |
| Where is the cost? | Usually outside the tracking view | Goods, freight, duty and fees, and broker fees add up to landed cost per shipment |
| How are delays visible? | A changed date | A Delayed flag, the forwarder's delay reason and the ETA change in the activity history |
Track your next container with Tyllus
Create an account, enter a container number with its MBL or carrier name, and see the ETA, the route and the next steps together.