In order to start using the Portcast platform for container visibility, you will need to upload your shipments into the Portcast platform. This can be done using the API or, if you prefer, the more user-friendly way of uploading via our Web Application.

Uploading your containers can be done in the following ways:

• Multiple container at once (in bulk), via file input
  • using Container numbers
  • using Bills of Lading / Booking numbers
• One container at a time, via manual input
  • using Container numbers
  • using Bills of Lading / Booking numbers

Method 1: Add containers in bulk via file input

If you have multiple containers to upload we recommend adding containers in bulk. You can do this by providing a CSV, XLS or XLSX file containing the necessary container information.

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Unsure about the format to use?

Download a CSV template below and replace the existing data with your containers’ data based on the format of the template:

container_sample.csv

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Once you finished preparing your container data file, you can drag-and-drop, or click and choose your file, to proceed. You will then be required to choose whether you want to add via Container number, or via Bill of Lading / Booking number:

Bulk upload via container number:

To upload individual containers to the platform, please follow this data format:

The Container Number is required; providing the bill of lading / booking number and Carrier Number (SCAC) is optional, but highly recommended, as it might lead to a lesser quality detection of the container to add.

Once you’ve input your file, you can proceed to field map your columns into the container fields. This ensures the correspondence between your columns and the expected container fields:

Map each of the columns on your file to the corresponding field. Once you are done, click the “Add Containers” button to proceed.

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Did you know?

The Portcast Web Application includes a field mapping memory functionality that automatically applies the previous field map to a new bulk upload procedure, based on the previous import procedure. This means you don’t have to manually map all fields in each operation, saving you time, and making the upload process much easier. Read more about the field mapping memory functionality and how it works.

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Bulk upload via Bill of Lading or Booking number:

Using this method you can add all containers associated with the provided Bill of Lading or Booking numbers. For this, please follow this data format:

The Bill of Lading / Booking number is required; the Carrier Number (SCAC) is optional, but highly recommended, as it might lead to a lesser quality detection of the containers to add.

Once you’ve input your file, you can proceed to field map your columns into the container fields. This ensures the correspondence between your columns and the expected container fields:

Map each of the columns on your file to the corresponding field. Once you are done, click the “Add Bills of Lading” button to proceed.

Method 2: Add containers via manual input

If you only have a couple of containers to add at once, you can use the manual input method to upload your containers. Upon choosing the manual input method, you will be required to choose whether you want to add via Container number, or via Bill of Lading / Booking number:

Manual input via Container number:

For every container that you want to track, please:

• Input the Container number (required).
• Input the Carrier SCAC code (optional): if you don’t have the SCAC code, you can select the “AUTO” option to try and have the system auto-detect the carrier, but bear in mind this is not recommended, as it can lead to importing the wrong container into the platform.
• Input the Bill of Lading / Booking number (optional): recommended for a more precise container discovery

Once you have input your container details, click on the “Add Containers” button to proceed.

Manual input via Bill of Lading or Booking number

This method works differently since it will import all containers associated with a Bill of Lading or Booking number. For every Bill of Lading or booking whose containers you want to track, please:

• Input the Bill of Lading or Booking number (required)
• Input the Carrier SCAC code (optional): if you don’t have the SCAC code, you can select the “AUTO” option to try and have the system auto-detect the carrier, but bear in mind this is not recommended, as it can lead to importing the wrong container into the platform.

Once you have input your container details, click on the “Add Bills of Lading” button to proceed.