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At OpenTrack, we understand that effective supply chain management requires more than just knowing where your cargo is—it requires understanding how it gets there. Today, we're introducing Map Routes, a feature that provides detailed visualization of container journeys across all transportation modes, from ocean shipping to rail and road transport.
Building the Perfect Route: Our Custom Networks
Map Routes is based on a battle-tested, proprietary network of multimodal routes that we've developed and refined with real-world intelligence. Map Routes includes:
- Maritime networks populated from real AIS satellite sources and manually refined paths to ensure accuracy (sometimes by hand-drawing routes!), eliminating impossible routes that appear to cut through islands or send ships over land.
- Rail networks populated by real rail sightings from rail carriers and actual freight rail tracks across the Americas, Europe, China, India, and Australia.
- Truck routes powered by Mapbox's road directions API for precise highway routing and GPS data directly from truckers.
- Inland waterways including major rivers, so you can track containers all the way to cities like Wuhan.
Routing the Full Container Lifecycle
Map Routes breaks down your container's journey into logical segments:
- Origin to Port: Whether by truck, rail, or barge, see exactly how your cargo reaches its departure port.
- Ocean Travel: Follow the maritime route with realistic port calls, transshipment stops, and routing through tight waterways – including barges.
- Port to Destination: Track the final leg whether it's by rail to an inland depot or truck to the final destination.
Each segment is dynamically calculated based on real-time data, meaning routes update as your container moves. When a container is diverted to an unexpected port or takes a different rail line, Map Routes adapts accordingly.
Built for Real-World Complexity
We understand that shipping routes are dynamic and must adapt to the realities of global trade. What sets Map Routes apart is its comprehensive approach to route intelligence. Our system includes:
- Predictive routing: Display not just where your container has been, but where it's going
- Comprehensive coverage: Including transshipment stops, port calls, and routing through complex waterways
- Geopolitical awareness: Automatic exclusion of routes through areas affected by conflicts or trade restrictions
- Environmental considerations: Data that supports sustainability calculations and carbon footprint analysis
API Integration
Map Routes data is available through our Map Routes API for seamless integration into your existing TMS or application. This allows you to:
- Render routes on your preferred mapping platform (Mapbox, Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, etc.)
- Integrate real route data into your logistics management systems
- Build custom visualizations tailored to your specific needs
- Access real-time updates as routes change based on container movements
The API returns structured route data that includes all segments of a container's journey, making it easy to display past, present, and future route information in your applications. Whether you're building internal dashboards or customer-facing tracking interfaces, Map Routes provides the reliable foundation you need.
What This Means for Your Business
Whether you're optimizing routes, explaining delays to customers, or planning for future volume, better map routes mean more confidence in your visibility and more trust in your service.
Use the visual interface for immediate insights, integrate route data into your existing systems via our API, or leverage the predictive capabilities to improve supply chain planning.
Get Started
Access route visualizations in the OpenTrack app – just click a container and click “Map”.
Or integrate the data directly into your systems using our Map Routes API.
Ready to gain complete visibility into your supply chain? Book a Demo with OpenTrack to start mapping your container routes.
