Following each shipment’s route is crucial in the quick logistics sector, where every second matters and effective routing is crucial to success. Managing all the moving pieces by hand can easily become too much to handle as delivery schedules, vessel itineraries, and international rules change. This is where the Routing Update API comes in, transforming the way logistics experts and freight forwarders manage real-time route updates.
Businesses like yours can easily update shipment routing information and follow the path of freight over several legs, vessels, and carriers with the aid of this comprehensive tool. The Routing Update API guarantees that logistics teams always have access to precise, up-to-date data by automating route updates. This API takes care of everything, so you don’t have to worry about missing updates or rushing to reconcile data from several sources. This makes your work simpler, quicker, and more effective.
What is the Routing Update API and How Does It Work?
The Routing Update API is a tool that enables users to update and track the routing details of shipments within the CargoWise system. By submitting key shipment data, like vessel names, carrier codes, voyage numbers, and estimated times of departure (ETD) and arrival (ETA), this API provides an automated solution for keeping track of shipments across different legs and vessels.
Here’s a breakdown of the key parameters the API handles:
ShipmentNo (Shipment Number):
This unique identifier ensures the correct shipment is being tracked and updated.
Leg (Leg Count):
For shipments with multiple routes, this parameter allows users to track each leg of the journey separately, ensuring accurate monitoring of multi-leg transport.
Vessel & Carrier Information:
The Vessel and Carrier parameters capture the name of the ship and the carrier company code, helping to identify the exact vessel and carrier involved in the shipment.
Voyage/Flight Number:
The Voyage number identifies the specific voyage or flight the shipment is part of, providing clarity on its exact journey.
Status (Route Status):
The Status parameter ensures that the route status is always updated in real-time, whether it’s “CNF” (Confirmed), “DEP” (Departed), or other relevant statuses.
ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) & ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival):
These timestamps help you track when the shipment is expected to leave and arrive, ensuring timely deliveries and smooth operations.
ATD (Actual Time of Departure) & ATA (Actual Time of Arrival):
Tracking the actual departure and arrival times provides valuable insights into shipment performance, allowing businesses to adjust their processes accordingly.
LoadPort & DischargePort:
The LoadPort is the origin port where the shipment is loaded, and the DischargePort is the destination port. Accurate data on these helps with planning and tracking the journey.
IsDomestic:
The IsDomestic flag allows users to specify if the shipment is domestic or international, further refining the tracking process.
By feeding this information into the Routing Update API, logistics teams can automate route updates, track shipments in real-time, and ensure that all stakeholders have access to accurate information throughout the journey.
Why is Real-Time Routing Important for Your Business?
Enhances Shipment Visibility
Accurate and timely routing updates mean that businesses, suppliers, and customers can track shipments at every stage of the journey. This visibility helps with planning, scheduling, and decision-making, ensuring that operations run smoothly and without surprises.
Improves Customer Satisfaction
Shippers want to know when their goods will arrive, and they want to be informed of any delays or changes immediately. With the Routing Update API, you can provide real-time updates to your customers, keeping them informed and reducing the chances of frustration. In a competitive industry, customer satisfaction is everything, and the ability to offer accurate, up-to-date information is a huge advantage.
Optimizes Operations
Managing shipments across multiple legs and vessels can quickly become complex. The Routing Update API automates the process, reducing manual errors and ensuring that all data is updated and accurate. This minimizes delays, cuts down on mistakes, and ultimately increases operational efficiency.
Boosts Compliance and Reporting
Freight and logistics operations are subject to a variety of regulations and requirements. Real-time routing updates ensure that your operations comply with international regulations and reporting standards. Having accurate, up-to-date routing data readily available also makes it easier to generate reports for audits, compliance checks, and customer inquiries.
Minimizes Operational Delays
Routing issues such as missed connections, wrong routes, or delays in transit can throw a wrench in the entire logistics process. The Routing Update API helps to reduce these types of issues by providing real-time data about each step of the journey. With this information, businesses can quickly identify and resolve problems before they escalate, ensuring a smoother flow of goods.
How the Routing Update API Helps Your Business Stay Competitive
Streamlines Multi-Leg Shipments
Many shipments involve multiple stages, legs, and vessels. Managing all the data manually can quickly become overwhelming. The Routing Update API automatically tracks each leg of the journey, ensuring that all information is recorded accurately in real-time. This automation helps simplify complex shipments, reducing manual work and increasing operational efficiency.
Enhances Decision-Making
With the real-time data provided by the Routing Update API, logistics managers and decision-makers have the insights they need to make informed choices. Whether it’s rerouting a shipment or adjusting schedules, having accurate information about every stage of the journey allows your team to act quickly and effectively.
Optimizes Customer Communication
With automated updates about ETD, ETA, ATD, and ATA, your team can keep customers informed without having to manually update them. This helps reduce customer service workload and allows customers to access the information they need when they need it.
Improves Collaboration Across Teams
The Routing Update API ensures that everyone across the supply chain, from shipping teams to sales teams, has access to the same real-time data. This fosters better collaboration and reduces the chances of miscommunication.
Conclusion
As logistics operations become more complex, the need for real-time, accurate data has never been greater. The CargoWise API services allow your business to stay on top of every shipment, every leg, and every update, ensuring that your team and your customers have the information they need to make informed decisions and keep operations moving smoothly.
Ready to streamline your routing process? Contact us today to learn how the Routing Update API can improve your CargoWise operations and enhance your customer satisfaction.
