A shipment is one container you want to watch. You add it by giving Realview an identifier and a South African destination port. You do not need every field — one identifier and the destination port is enough to start. Automatic container and bill-of-lading vessel lookup is coming at launch.

Add a shipment

1. From the dashboard or the Shipments screen, click Add shipment.
2. Enter at least one identifier — a container number, a bill-of-lading (BL) number, a vessel name, or an IMO number.
3. Choose the destination port (Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha, or Richards Bay).
4. Add any optional details that help (see below), then Save.

The fields

Identifier one required

Any one of: container number (e.g. MSCU1234567), BL number, vessel name, or IMO number. Automatic lookup from a container or BL number is coming at launch; a vessel name or IMO helps when AIS vessel position is available.

Destination port required

The SA port the container is sailing to. This drives the estimated dwell figures Realview applies to your arrival estimate.

Label optional

A name only you see, so you can spot the shipment at a glance — e.g. "PO-2024-118 — auto parts".

Carrier optional

The shipping line, e.g. Maersk or MSC.

Origin port optional

Where the container is coming from (UN/LOCODE, e.g. CNSHA for Shanghai).

Carrier ETA optional

The arrival date the shipping line gave you. Realview shows this next to its own estimate so you can see any gap.

Notes optional

Free text for your own reference.

What happens after you save

The shipment starts in Pending. At launch, automatic vessel lookup from a container or BL number is still being switched on — until then you can enter a carrier ETA and update status as you learn more. See Tracking & ETAs.