How container records are read

Khor Fakkan

A Khor Fakkan check posts the container number to Gulftainer’s public enquiry and reads the HTML that comes back. A hit is in the yard or not, the terminal (KCT or SAJAA), the discharge line, an arrival time when that page prints one, and the charge lines for the date requested. This site leaves the date blank, which is today’s charges, and caches that answer. There is no move list and no EIR. A miss says the container is not in the yard. It is not a login to the Gulftainer terminal system. See Gulftainer’s enquiry compared with this tracker.

1. Primary Data Sources

Container Tracer uses three kinds of input:

• Public port container records: each container is looked up in the publicly accessible container enquiry for Jebel Ali on Dubai Trade ↗: status, terminal, vessel and voyage, moves and storage dates. We don't have a data partnership with Dubai Trade or DP World.
• ISO 6346 validation: container numbers are cleaned up (spaces, dashes, duplicates) and format-checked before look-up. The validator also checks the check digit.
• Published tariff: storage estimates use figures from the DP World UAE Region Tariff Book (November 2023 edition) ↗, shown as indicative only.

2. Update Frequency and the Meaning of "Latest Available"

We use the term "latest available tracking information" rather than claiming instantaneous or continuous live streaming. Here is why:

3. Why Port Status May Differ from Shipping Line Systems

Importers often notice temporary discrepancies between an ocean carrier’s website (e.g., Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM) and Jebel Ali Port records:

• Port Quayside vs Carrier EDI: DP World records reflect physical discharges and terminal gate movements at Jebel Ali. Carriers receive these via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), which can lag by several hours.
• In-Transit Cargo: If a ship is still en route to Jebel Ali and the carrier has not finalized electronic import manifest submission to Dubai Customs, port systems return NO DATA even if the carrier’s schedule shows an expected arrival date.
• Demurrage vs Port Storage: Carrier websites calculate equipment demurrage against commercial contracts, whereas port tracking records reflect physical terminal yard dwell dates and storage expiry.

4. Milestone Interpretation Logic

Raw port data strings are normalized through our parser into unambiguous operational milestones:

For a comprehensive breakdown of all milestone codes, visit our Container Status Codes Guide.

5. Operational Limitations

Please take note of the following operational boundaries:

• Container Tracer provides an independent operational monitoring interface. It is not an official government trade agency or carrier billing system.
• Storage estimates are indicative, based on the published tariff above. They don't account for negotiated rates, free-time extensions or newer tariff editions.
• Customs duty payments, official Bill of Entry generation, and terminal e-token booking must be executed directly through Dubai Trade.