Top 10 MBL/Container and AWB Tracking API Providers Globally: An Overview
Global Shipping Visibility
Track containers and air cargo across 100+ carriers worldwide
The rapid growth of global trade and rising customer expectations have made end-to-end shipment visibility a necessity. Instead of manually checking dozens of carrier websites for ocean Master Bill of Lading (MBL) or air Air Waybill (AWB) updates, companies are turning to unified tracking platforms. These container and AWB tracking API providers aggregate real-time data from shipping lines, airlines, ports, and other sources, enabling freight forwarders, logistics software developers, and enterprise shippers to monitor shipments in one place. In fact, the container tracking API market is projected to grow from about $964 million in 2024 to $6.6 billion by 2034, highlighting the demand for these solutions.
What Are MBL/Container and AWB Tracking Services?
MBL/Container and AWB tracking services are logistics visibility platforms that connect directly with carriers' systems (via APIs, EDI, and other integrations) to fetch the latest status of shipments – whether an ocean container's milestones or an air cargo flight update. These providers bridge the gap between myriad transport carriers and a shipper's or forwarder's internal systems. Much like open banking providers connect businesses to many banks' data, tracking providers offer a single, standardized interface to track shipments across multiple shipping lines and airlines globally.
1. TrackCargo
TrackCargo's platform provides unified tracking for ocean containers and air freight, with developer-friendly integration. TrackCargo is an international tracking platform (partnered with ShipThis ERP) that combines container (MBL) and air cargo (AWB) tracking in one service. It offers real-time visibility for 25+ ocean carriers and 50+ airlines, consolidating all milestones into a single dashboard.
- 25+ ocean carriers and 50+ airlines coverage
- Free trial up to 20 trackings/month
- 5-minute flight status updates
- Automated email/SMS alerts
2. project44
project44 is widely regarded as one of the largest end-to-end visibility platforms in the world. As the "connective tissue" of many supply chains, project44's cloud-based system manages over 1 billion shipments annually for 1,300+ brands worldwide. It provides multi-modal tracking across nearly all modes – ocean containers, air freight, truckload/LTL, rail, etc.
- 98% of global container freight coverage
- 1 billion+ shipments managed annually
- 700+ ports and 5,000+ vessels tracked
- Enterprise-grade analytics and dashboards
3. FourKites
FourKites is another leading real-time transportation visibility platform, originally known for North American truck tracking but now truly global and multimodal. FourKites serves over 1,200 customers across 200 countries, including many Fortune 500 companies. Each day, FourKites tracks more than 3 million shipments in real time.
- 3 million+ daily shipment tracking
- 200+ countries coverage
- Patented AI-powered ETA predictions
- Mobile app for on-the-go updates
4. Shippeo
Shippeo is a European-based real-time visibility provider that has rapidly expanded its coverage worldwide. It offers multimodal transport tracking with a strong emphasis on improving supply chain resilience and customer service. Shippeo tracks over 90 million shipments annually across 150 countries.
- 90 million+ annual shipments tracked
- 150 countries coverage
- 4.8/5 Gartner Peer rating
- Carbon footprint tracking
5. Vizion API
Vizion is a technology-first provider dedicated to container tracking via API. Rather than a full GUI platform, Vizion's core offering is a developer-centric API that pushes standardized, detailed container tracking events to any system of your choice.
- 300 million+ events processed
- 99.99% API uptime guarantee
- 10+ years historical data archive
- 98% global shipment coverage
6. Terminal49
Terminal49 offers a global container tracking API and dashboard with a focus on bringing extra supply chain context for each container. Based in the US, Terminal49 can track any shipping container through a single API, covering all major ocean carriers.
- 100% North American port coverage
- 99.5% API uptime
- Free tier up to 100 containers
- Detailed terminal and port data
7. SeaRates (by DP World)
SeaRates is a digital logistics platform that provides various tools – one of which is a powerful container tracking and freight tracking API. Founded in 2005 and now a division of DP World, SeaRates has a global user base especially among freight forwarders and SME shippers.
- Ship schedules API integration
- Multi-modal tracking (sea, air, land)
- Route optimization tools
- Digital Freight Alliance member
8. GoComet
GoComet is an AI-driven logistics platform that includes an advanced container tracking solution among its offerings. Headquartered in Singapore, GoComet initially gained traction by providing freight rate management and has since expanded into supply chain visibility.
- AI-powered predictive analytics
- Customizable alert system
- Multi-region data centers
- 4.8/5 G2 customer rating
9. BlueBox Systems
BlueBox Systems is a specialized visibility provider known for its expertise in air cargo tracking – and it has recently combined that with ocean tracking into a unified solution. Based in Germany, BlueBox originally offered BlueBoxAir for detailed air freight tracking.
- High-frequency air cargo updates
- Granular flight event tracking
- Predictive delay algorithms
- Precise CO2 footprint calculations
10. OpenTrack
OpenTrack is a newer entrant offering end-to-end container visibility with a modern, API-driven approach. The service promises that "all you need is a Master Bill of Lading to get complete container visibility" across the shipment's journey.
- Single MBL complete visibility
- AI-powered predictive ETAs
- Exception monitoring alerts
- Trusted by Expeditors, J.B. Hunt
Conclusion
In today's fast-paced logistics environment, having the right tracking API provider can make all the difference in supply chain performance. The top 10 providers above each excel in enabling real-time visibility for ocean and air shipments, though they cater to different needs.
Large enterprises may gravitate towards comprehensive platforms like project44, FourKites, or Shippeo for their broad coverage and deep analytics. Tech-savvy forwarders and software developers might prefer the flexibility of API-centric solutions like Vizion or Terminal49 to embed tracking into their own products.