ZIM Container Tracking

ZIM Container Number Format and Prefixes

Every shipping container in the world carries a unique 11-character identification code that follows the ISO 6346 standard: four letters followed by seven digits, with the final digit being a mathematically calculated check digit that helps catch transcription errors. The first three letters identify the container's registered owner, and the fourth letter (almost always "U") confirms it is a freight container.

Common ZIM container prefixes include:

You can find the container number on the physical container door panel, on the Bill of Lading (BL) issued by your carrier or freight forwarder, in your booking confirmation, or on the arrival notice from the destination agent.

Common mistakes when entering a ZIM container number

• Confusing the letter O with the digit 0 they look similar on handwritten documents. Container numbers never contain a lowercase 'o'; all characters are uppercase.
• Confusing the letter I with the digit 1 again, check carefully on older BL printouts.
• Adding spaces or hyphens enter the number without any separators (e.g., MSCU1234567, not MSCU 123 456 7).
• Copying the booking number instead of the container number booking numbers and container numbers are different references. The container number begins with 4 letters.

If the container number looks correct but still returns no data, confirm with your shipper or freight forwarder that the container has actually been physically received at the export terminal. Tracking data only appears after the first physical event (Gate In) is recorded.

How to Track a ZIM Container

1. Get your container number. Locate the 11-character container number on your Bill of Lading, booking confirmation, or cargo arrival notice. It starts with one of the ZIM prefixes listed above.
2. Enter it in the tracking widget. Type or paste the container number in the search field at the top of this page and click "Track Container". The tool identifies the carrier automatically from the prefix.
3. Review the tracking results. You will typically see the container's current status, the last port of call or terminal where it was recorded, the vessel name it is currently on or was last loaded on, and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the next or final port.
4. Check back as needed. Tracking data refreshes as each new port event is recorded. For deep-sea voyages, checking once or twice a day is usually sufficient. Events are triggered by physical gate moves, crane lifts, vessel departures, and port arrivals.
5. Use the official ZIM Integrated Shipping Services tracking as a secondary check. You can also look up your shipment using the "ZIM Tracking" function on ZIM Integrated Shipping Services's own website for official status confirmation directly from the source.

Using a centralized platform like TraceContainer is especially useful if you manage shipments across several carriers simultaneously instead of logging into five different carrier portals, you enter any container number once and get consistent results in one place.

Common ZIM Tracking Statuses Explained

Status labels across major carriers follow broadly similar patterns, though exact wording varies. Here is what you will typically see when tracking a ZIM container:

• Empty Released An empty container has been allocated to your booking and released to the shipper's facility or depot for loading. This appears before cargo is stuffed into the box.
• Gate In The loaded container has arrived at the export terminal and been recorded through the gate. This is the first confirmed data point proving the container is physically at the port. Customs examination and pre-departure checks happen at this stage.
• Loaded on Vessel The container has been lifted by crane onto the vessel at the port of loading. The voyage has effectively begun. You should be able to see the vessel name and voyage number from this point.
• Vessel Departed The vessel carrying your container has sailed from the port of loading. Tracking events may go quiet for a few days while the vessel is at sea this is normal for deep-sea legs.
• At Transshipment Port The container has arrived at an intermediate hub port and will be transferred to a connecting feeder or mainline vessel. Transshipment can add 15 days to the transit time. Status may temporarily show "Discharged" at the transshipment port before "Loaded" appears again.
• In Transit A general status indicating the container is on a vessel between ports. No new event has been recorded since the last departure event.
• Arrived at Port of Discharge The vessel has berthed at the final destination port. The container has not yet been physically unloaded discharge usually happens within hours to a few days of vessel arrival depending on port congestion.
• Discharged The container has been lifted off the vessel at the destination port and placed in the terminal yard. Customs examination, import duties, and delivery order processing happen next before cargo can be released.
• Gate Out The container has left the destination terminal typically collected by a road haulier after customs clearance and delivery order issued by the carrier's agent. If it says "Gate Out / Full", the cargo is on its way to the consignee's premises.
• Delivered / Empty Returned The final confirmed event. The container has been delivered to the consignee and the empty box has been returned to a ZIM depot. This closes the container's tracking cycle for this voyage.

What If Your ZIM Tracking Is Not Updating?

Most ZIM tracking gaps have a straightforward explanation. Here are the most common situations and what to do about each:

Some gaps in tracking data are completely normal particularly during deep-sea legs and transshipment windows. However, if your container has shown no activity for more than 7 days with no explanation, contact your freight forwarder and ask them to formally trace the shipment with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services directly. Serious discrepancies (container not found at destination terminal, unknown location) should be escalated through official ZIM channels immediately.

About ZIM Integrated Shipping Services

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services is an established container shipping operator serving core global and regional trade corridors through liner services, feeder links, and transshipment hubs. Shippers and freight forwarders use ZIM services across import-export cycles where schedule reliability and broad port coverage are critical.

ZIM shipments may move on direct services or connecting feeder legs depending on route design, seasonality, and vessel deployment. Tracking updates are event-driven and generally refresh at terminal milestones such as gate in, vessel load, departure, arrival, discharge, and final gate out.

Disclaimer: TraceContainer is an independent platform and is not affiliated with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. For legal shipment records, freight claims, or contractual carriage details, always verify with the carrier directly.

Popular ZIM Trade Lanes

• Asia to EuropeZIM supports high-volume routes connecting major Far East ports with North Europe and Mediterranean gateways.
• Trans-PacificRegular sailings connect Asian load ports to North American west and east coast destinations.
• Intra-AsiaDense short-sea networks support regional cargo movement between Northeast and Southeast Asian hubs.
• Asia to Middle EastService loops cover major Gulf ports and support consumer, project, and industrial cargo demand.
• Emerging Market ConnectionsFeeder and relay links extend access to Africa, Latin America, and secondary regional gateways.

ZIM Container Tracking FAQ