Hapag-Lloyd Live Position

Hapag-Lloyd Live Position tracks eligible dry containers across ship, rail, and truck journeys using attached IoT devices. Its tracking view includes container status, location, ETA, inland distance traveled, and planned and updated shipment information. GPS location is transmitted every 15 minutes, and detected ETA changes update on the website and API. Live ETA estimates are included for eligible Carrier Haulage import bookings, using device information and past planned-versus-actual transport performance. Users can view vessel history, whose data is updated every 24 hours, and download tracking data as a CSV. The service is accessed by signed-in customers through the Online Business Suite. Carrier Haulage is listed as free; Merchant Haulage costs USD 15.00 once per container. The whole shipment must be purchased even if some containers lack devices, and Live Position cannot be cancelled after purchase. The terms provide a fee refund or cancellation for an unequipped container or a position-data gap longer than 48 hours.

Live Position offers shipment tracking and API access, with eligibility and purchase conditions to consider. Check the haulage type, container equipment, and cancellation terms before adding it.

This service is for Hapag-Lloyd shipping customers who need container and shipment visibility across multimodal transport. It may suit customers who can use device-equipped dry containers and want tracking data in their own systems through the API.

Overview

Hapag-Lloyd Live Position is a paid container-tracking service for Hapag-Lloyd customers who need visibility across sea, rail, and truck journeys. It is best suited to shipments with device-equipped dry containers; its strongest advantage is refreshed position and arrival data, while equipment rules and haulage-dependent pricing narrow its appeal.

Key features

The tracking view brings together container status, location, ETA, inland distance traveled, and planned and updated shipment information. A GPS tracker sends location data every 15 minutes, and detected ETA changes flow automatically to the website and API. That gives operations teams regular progress updates, but not continuous positioning.

Live ETA revises import arrival estimates using device data and past differences between transport plans and actual performance. It is included for eligible Carrier Haulage import bookings, making it a useful addition for customers whose bookings qualify. The map includes vessel history, with vessel data refreshed every 24 hours. CSV export supports offline review, and the API can feed tracking data into a customer's own systems.

Coverage is restricted to dry containers fitted with a smart device. A customer must purchase Live Position for the whole shipment even if some containers lack devices, which can make mixed-equipment shipments less attractive. There are no exception alerts, so teams that need disruption notifications should consider another service. Hapag-Lloyd does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation, and full data ownership remains with the carrier.

Pricing

Live Position has no free plan or trial. Live Position (Carrier Haulage) costs nothing and is added automatically when any leg is Carrier Haulage, or a door move. Eligible Carrier Haulage import bookings also include Live ETA. This is the natural fit for customers with qualifying bookings, but it is not a general free tier.

Live Position (Merchant Haulage) costs $15, paid once, billed per container. It applies to Merchant Haulage moves on export and import and/or a Hapag-Lloyd inland ramp move. Customers can add the service after booking creation, but only until the sea freight invoice is issued or submitted. Once purchased, it cannot be cancelled, so check haulage type, equipment, and shipment scope before committing.

API self-onboarding is free; comprehensive IT onboarding costs USD 5,000. The latter is a significant additional cost for customers who need that level of integration support.

Platforms

Access is through the web-based Online Business Suite and is limited to signed-in customers. The service also supports Android and iOS access, alongside API integration. Customers can contact Hapag-Lloyd Customer Service for technical issues. The terms provide a fee refund or cancellation if a container is unequipped or position data has a gap longer than 48 hours.

Who it's for

This service is for Hapag-Lloyd shipping customers who need container and shipment visibility across multimodal transport and can meet the dry-container equipment requirement. It is particularly suitable for eligible Carrier Haulage import bookings that benefit from included Live ETA. Customers with unequipped containers, a need for exception alerts, or a requirement for a cancellable purchase should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Fifteen-minute location transmissions and automatic ETA updates provide regular shipment progress data.
• Pros: CSV export and API access support offline analysis and integration with customer systems.
• Pros: Carrier Haulage adds Live Position automatically at no charge, with Live ETA included for eligible import bookings.
• Cons: Only device-equipped dry containers qualify, and the purchase covers the full shipment even when some containers lack devices.
• Cons: Merchant Haulage costs $15 per container, and the purchase cannot be cancelled after purchase.
• Cons: No exception alerts are offered, and uninterrupted or error-free operation is not guaranteed.

Alternatives

For broader container-tracking options, browse Container Tracking Software. SeaRates Container Tracking is a better fit for readers seeking a freemium option with a free trial and per-container API pricing with volume discounts for annual billing. GoComet is another paid alternative with a free plan.

project44 Ocean Visibility is worth considering when a reader wants Movement UI or API access across 150+ ocean carrier and forwarder connections. Shippeo is a paid alternative for businesses prepared to contact sales about platform pricing. Mati Logistics suits readers who want a free tracking tier for 10 shipments with an account, or three lookups without one, but its free tier has no API.

Panvaya Ocean Container Tracking offers a free tier with five ocean shipments, 10 developer API credits, live AIS vessel tracking, a port congestion monitor, and a marine route planner. Tracktainer may suit readers who want three free tracking credits or volume-based monthly pricing starting at $1 a month with a 10-credit minimum. Terminal49 is a free-plan alternative for small teams, with up to 10 active containers, three users, basic notifications, and 50 document credits.

Verdict

Choose Hapag-Lloyd Live Position if you ship with Hapag-Lloyd and want device-based visibility across inland and ocean legs, especially on eligible Carrier Haulage imports with included Live ETA. Its regular position updates, CSV export, and API are useful strengths. Look elsewhere if your containers are not equipped, you need exception alerts, or the non-cancellable, shipment-wide purchase does not suit your operation.