Tracking Container Movements and Status

PortConnect can help businesses track container movements at different ports. Subscribing allows you to receive real-time updates when significant events occur.

Why Use Subscriptions?

With PortConnect subscriptions, you can:

Stay informed – Get automatic updates about your shipments.
Improve planning – Know when containers are ready to move.
Save time – Reduce or eliminate the need to check container statuses manually.

How It Works

Subscribe to Container Data for Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton, and Timaru (including inland ports).

Real-time event notifications as containers move through the port
30 event types covering Import, Export, Domestic and Transhipment moves
Available in API or email/XML formats

To receive updates, you need to subscribe to container visits. Subscriptions can be created in two ways:

By Container Number – Track specific containers.
By Booking Number – Track all containers under a particular booking.

Once you have created a subscription, you can choose to receive updates via:

Email – Notifications sent to one or more email addresses.
API (Webhook) – If your company has a logistics system, updates can be sent directly to it.

Email notifications can create high volumes and should ideally be sent to a shared inbox.

Examples of Key Events to Track

When setting up a subscription, you can choose to receive updates for specific events. The following are examples that might be used to inform you when an import container is ready for pickup and delivery:

Active – When the container becomes live in the PortConnect system.
Discharge – The container has been unloaded at the port but may not be cleared of holds.
Available – The container is available to leave the port i.e. it has been discharged and has no impediments (Stops/holds).
VBS Changed – The VBS booking for this container has been obtained, changed or cancelled.
All Events – You can also receive updates for every event related to a container.

Subscriptions are charged per event. The more event types you request and the more often you request, the higher the costs. Only request what you need for your business.

Your system may not have fields available for all events. However, a single event, AVAILABLE, can cover several events, including holds for LOP, Customs, MPI, and the Discharge event.

A Guide to API Events by Industry Sector

Recommended
Nice to Have

Mode	Container Visit Event Type Code	Description	Benefits	BCO	Fwder	Road Transpt	3 PL

Mode	Container Visit Event Type Code	Description	Benefits
Imports	Active	The container has become live in the PortConnect system	A key event to start managing the unit
Imports	Available	Container has all holds removed AND has been discharged, ready for uplift	This event will advise when the container is fully cleared and available to leave the port in a single event type
Imports	AvailableCancelled	The container has had a hold reapplied, no longer available	Can save a wasted truck visit
Imports	Cleared	Container has all holds released, but the container may not yet be discharged	Advises when all holds are removed from the container. May occur before or after discharge.
Imports	CustomsRelease	Customs have released their hold
Imports	Discharge	Unloaded from vessel to wharf
Imports	DischargedNotCleared	Container discharged but still has holds preventing delivery (LOP,CUS,MPI)	Container discharged but not yet available due to holds/stops.
Imports	GateIN	Entered a port facility	Arrived at the inland destination, eg Metroport or Wiri.
Imports	GateOUT	Exited a port facility
Imports	LFT24Hours	Last Free Time has entered the final free 24 hours prior to Demurrage	A warning that action is required
Imports	LFTChanged	Last Free Time has been set or changed	Confirmation of the Last Free Time and/or changes to the time.
Imports	LFTExceeded	Last Free Time has been exceeded, now on demurrage	Alert that cost is being incurred
Imports	LOPRelease	Line Operator has released their hold
Imports	MPIRelease	MPI have released their hold
Imports	VBSChanged	VBS has been set or changed	Confirmation of when the container is expected to be delivered to or picked up from the port.
Imports	VesselArrival	The vessel has berthed, note the container discharge is a separate event
Exports	Active	The container has become live in the PortConnect system	A key event to start managing the unit
Exports	CEDO Release	CEDO has been lodged and approved
Exports	CEDO Release cancelled	CEDO has been cancelled, container cannot be loaded until cleared again	Alert that action is required
Exports	Gate In	Gate in to the Inland Port and / or the seaport facility	E.g. received at Metroport or Wiri
Exports	Hazard Gate Rules	Denotes the hours before Vessel ETA that a HAZ container can gate into port (24 or72 hours)	Warns of the restrictions by DG class
Exports	NO Cedo	Warning 48 / 24 / 2 hour warning text	Alert that action is required
Exports	Load	Loaded to vessel
Exports	Export Cleared	CEDO in place and no other stops	Includes the CEDO number
Exports	Export Cleared Cancelled	Export cleared has been cancelled	Alert that action is required
Storage	Gate Out	Empty uplift from container depot	Confirmation of time of uplift
Storage	Gate In	Empty dehire to container depot	Confirmation of time of dehire

Managing Your Subscription

Adding More Updates – You can update your subscription to track additional events.
Reducing Updates - If you receive too many notifications, you can remove specific events or cancel a subscription to reduce costs.
Multiple Subscriptions – You can have different subscriptions for different ports, categories, or facility codes.

When reducing the number of events you wish to receive, you must cancel the existing subscriptions to ensure your request has been reset. Please have your technical team visit our guide on this matter: V2 - Create Container Event Subscription | Event Types are applied to all containers associated to the subscription

What This Means for Your Business

By using PortConnect subscriptions, your business can:

✅ Reduce delays by knowing exactly when shipments are ready.

✅ Reduces the need to chase cargo information, reducing workload on staff.

✅ Improve efficiency by automating container tracking.

✅ Ensure better coordination between logistics teams.

For further assistance setting up your subscription, contact your logistics provider or PortConnect support at info@portconnect.co.nz

API Documentation

You can find all of our documentation, including instructions on how to start your API journey and relevant information for technical teams, here, API Documentation

Understanding PortConnect API Subscriptions for Business Users