Container Ship Tracker – Live Container Vessel Tracking
Track container ships, search the Ship-Tracker.org vessel database and explore public vessel profiles with identification, technical and maritime tracking information.
Find and Track Container Ships
Browse public container ship profiles in the Ship-Tracker.org vessel database. Search by vessel name, IMO number, MMSI or call sign and open individual vessel pages for further ship information and available tracking data.
Container Ships in Our Database
Browse public container ship profiles and search by vessel name, IMO, MMSI or call sign.
Showing 4,297 public container ship profiles.
Only public Ship-Tracker.org vessel profiles are linked. Draft, private and blocked targets are excluded.
How Container Ships Move Global Trade
Container ships transport standardized freight containers between ports around the world. Their scheduled services connect major manufacturing regions, distribution centres and consumer markets through international shipping routes.
Large container vessels normally operate between major hub ports, while smaller ships can connect regional ports and feeder networks. Vessel size, route structure, port capacity and cargo demand all influence how container shipping services are organised.
What Can You Find on a Container Ship Profile?
Available vessel information varies by ship, but public Ship-Tracker.org profiles can include important identification and technical details.
IMO Number
The IMO number is the persistent vessel identifier used to distinguish a ship throughout its operational lifetime.
MMSI
The Maritime Mobile Service Identity is used in maritime radio and AIS communications and may change during a vessel’s lifetime.
Ship Dimensions
Available profiles may include recorded vessel length, beam, gross tonnage, deadweight and container capacity.
Flag and Call Sign
Public vessel records can include the ship’s recorded flag state and radio call sign where these details are available.
Different Types of Container Ships
Container shipping includes vessels of different sizes and operating roles. Ship design and capacity depend on the routes and ports a vessel is intended to serve.
What Does TEU Mean?
TEU stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit. It is a standard measure used to describe the carrying capacity of container ships and container terminals.
A forty-foot container generally represents two TEU. A vessel’s nominal TEU capacity provides a useful way to compare the approximate scale of different container ships, although actual cargo loads vary from voyage to voyage.
Search Container Ships by IMO or MMSI
Ship names can change during a vessel’s lifetime, which can make identification more difficult. The IMO number provides a more persistent way to identify a seagoing vessel.
MMSI numbers are important for AIS and maritime radio systems, but unlike IMO numbers they can change when a vessel changes flag, ownership arrangements or radio registration.
Useful Search Information
If you know a vessel’s IMO number, MMSI or call sign, you can use it to search Ship-Tracker.org and locate the corresponding public vessel profile where available.
Tracking Container Ships Online
Container ships can appear on public maritime tracking services when current AIS information is available through the tracking provider. The displayed information may include position, course, speed and other voyage-related data.
Tracking availability depends on AIS reception, satellite or terrestrial coverage and the data supplied by the tracking service. Positions can therefore be delayed or temporarily unavailable.
Looking for a Specific Container Ship?
Search Ship-Tracker.org by vessel name, IMO number, MMSI or call sign where a public vessel profile is available.
Container Ship Tracker FAQ
Can I track container ships online?
Yes. Container ships can be visible on public maritime tracking services when current AIS data is available through the tracking provider.
How can I search for a container ship?
You can search Ship-Tracker.org by vessel name, IMO number, MMSI or call sign where a matching public vessel profile is available.
What is an IMO number?
An IMO number is a persistent identification number assigned to eligible ships. It normally remains associated with the vessel even if its name or flag changes.
What does TEU mean on a container ship?
TEU means twenty-foot equivalent unit and is commonly used to describe container carrying capacity. One forty-foot container generally represents two TEU.
Why is a container ship sometimes missing from a live map?
A vessel may temporarily disappear because of limited AIS reception, delayed data, coverage gaps or other limitations of the tracking provider.
Does Ship-Tracker.org list every container ship?
No. The database contains vessels for which Ship-Tracker.org has suitable vessel records and public profiles. Coverage can change as maritime data is added or updated.
