K&N Kühne + Nagel tracking

Transport commission and maritime freight since 1890

The company Kuehne + Nagel was founded in 1890 by August Kühne and Friedrich Nagel, who then established a transport commission business in Bremen, Germany. Originally specializing in sea freight (notably the transport of cotton and consolidated goods), the company gradually developed in the early 20th century. After the death of Friedrich Nagel in 1907, August Kühne took over all the shares, ensuring the continuity of the company under the combined name of the two founders.

After World War II, the company took on a new momentum. In 1949, the Kühne and Nagel families joined forces again to relaunch and unify the company under the Kühne + Nagel brand as we know it today. During the following decades, Kuehne + Nagel began an international expansion: in the 1950s, it opened its first offices outside Europe, notably in Canada, and then gradually expanded into Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. In 1975, the company adopted an international holding structure by creating Kuehne + Nagel International AG, based in Schindellegi, Switzerland, thus consolidating its status as a global group. This relocation of the headquarters to Switzerland accompanied a strategy of global growth and targeted acquisitions.

Over the years, Kuehne + Nagel has strengthened its global presence and diversified its services. It has established itself as a leading logistics provider through technological investments and strategic acquisitions. Today, with more than 130 years of existence, the group remains an innovative player in the sector, while relying on a rich heritage. Kuehne + Nagel is still partly controlled by the family of co-founder August Kühne (his grandson Klaus-Michael Kühne is the main shareholder), ensuring the continuity of the original entrepreneurial vision.

Organization and Divisions of Kuehne + Nagel

Kuehne + Nagel is organized around several specialized divisions that cover all the logistical needs of its clients:

• Sea Logistics (Maritime Transport) (Historically the core business of the group, sea freight is an area where Kuehne + Nagel is the world leader. The maritime division manages the shipment of goods by sea, offering groupage services (LCL) or full containers (FCL), booking management on ships, port customs clearance, and door-to-door logistics coordination to the recipient. Thanks to its significant shipping volume, Kuehne + Nagel can negotiate advantageous capacities and rates with major shipping companies.
• Air Logistics (Air Transport)) The division dedicated to air freight offers fast transport solutions by plane for urgent or high-value shipments. Kuehne + Nagel operates through a vast network of air partners and international sorting centers to deliver goods in optimized timeframes. The group is also ranked as the world's leading air freight forwarder, managing a significant volume of air cargo. Services include booking cargo capacities with airlines, document management (air waybills (AWB), flight tracking, and handling customs formalities for both import and export.
• Road Logistics (Land Transport)) Kuehne + Nagel offers road transport solutions (and combined rail/road) to serve both domestic and regional traffic in Europe and beyond. Thanks to a fleet of partner carriers and its own resources, the road division organizes reliable delivery tours, whether full loads (FTL) or partial loads (LTL) for palletized parcels. The K&N land network connects major economic centers and integrates with other modes (ports, airports) to ensure the continuity of the supply chain.
• Contract Logistics (Contract Logistics) (Beyond transport, Kuehne + Nagel has a significant contract logistics activity, i.e., the management of warehouses and logistics operations on behalf of industrial or retail clients. This division handles the storage of goods in numerous warehouses worldwide, inventory management, order preparation, final distribution, as well as value-added services (packaging, labeling, assembly, etc.). By outsourcing their logistics to K+N, clients benefit from the group's expertise to optimize their supply chain and gain efficiency.
• Other Integrated Logistics Services) Kuehne + Nagel also offers complementary services to provide end-to-end supply chain solutions. This includes customs brokerage (handling import/export customs clearance procedures), transport insurance (coverage of goods during transit), e-commerce solutions (specialized logistics for online retailers), as well as 4PL services (integrated supply chain management) and logistics consulting. These services complement the main transport offers to provide a complete and personalized solution to clients.

Thanks to this structure divided by business lines, Kuehne + Nagel manages to address the entire logistics spectrum. The group has gained significant market shares in each of these segments (sea freight, air freight, land transport, and contract logistics) by focusing on high-quality services and innovation. It particularly focuses on high-value-added segments, for example, the integration of advanced IT services into its logistics solutions, to offer increased visibility and control to its clients.

Global Network and International Presence

As a global logistics provider, Kuehne + Nagel has an extensive network covering all continents. The group is present in more than 100 countries through its locations, allowing it to support the international exchanges of its clients wherever they are. In Europe, Kuehne + Nagel operates in most countries (notably in Germany (the group's country of origin), France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and many others: including through a dense network of warehouses and local agencies. In the Americas, K+N is strongly established in North America (United States, Canada, Mexico) as well as in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.), offering cross-border supply services across the continent.

The Asia-Pacific region is a major growth axis for Kuehne + Nagel, with a presence in the main Asian economies (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia). The group manages massive export and import flows there, supported by regional logistics sorting centers and local partnerships. In the Middle East and Africa, Kuehne + Nagel is also active in many countries (for example in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Kenya, etc.), allowing it to cover emerging markets and offer its services in these developing territories. This diversified geographical presence, combined with a substantial logistics infrastructure, gives K+N the ability to follow and support its clients across their entire international supply chains.

The global network of Kuehne + Nagel relies on approximately 1,300 offices or operational sites worldwide. This includes strategically located logistics platforms (seaports, airports, industrial zones) to facilitate the consolidation and distribution of goods. In total, more than 400,000 clients trust Kuehne + Nagel for their transport and logistics operations, whether they are local SMEs or large multinational accounts. This global reach, combined with a deep understanding of local markets, allows the group to offer consistent logistics solutions on a global scale while adapting to regional specificities (customs regulations, infrastructure, business culture, etc.).

Tracking Solutions and Digital Technologies

In a sector where visibility is crucial, Kuehne + Nagel offers powerful tools for real-time shipment tracking. Each shipment handled is assigned a unique tracking number (often prefixed by "KN"), consisting of a series of numbers and letters usually between 10 and 20 characters long. For example, a typical number might look like KN1234567890 or KNL12345678901234. This tracking number allows the shipment to be identified throughout its journey.

Kuehne + Nagel clients can use the online portal myKN (or the dedicated mobile app) to track the progress of their shipments. By entering the tracking number on the K+N website, they access real-time updates on the delivery status: current location of the package, current transport stage, next planned step, as well as the estimated delivery date. The tracking system thus provides complete transparency, with regular statuses indicating, for example, whether the shipment is "in transit", "arrived at the distribution center", or "delivered". Each status corresponds to a specific milestone in the logistics process, helping shippers and recipients stay informed of the progress.

Kuehne + Nagel emphasizes digital innovation to improve this visibility. The company integrates technologies such as cargo geolocation, proactive notifications in case of delay or incident, and personalized dashboards for tracking shipment performance. Furthermore, K+N develops advanced traceability solutions, for example, real-time container tracking using IoT sensors, or temperature control for sensitive products. The use of artificial intelligence algorithms also helps optimize routes and predict potential disruptions (weather, congestion, etc.), enhancing the reliability of delivery estimates. This technological deployment has earned Kuehne + Nagel recognition in the sector for its innovative approach to digital logistics.

Innovation and Sustainable Commitment

True to a forward-looking strategy, Kuehne + Nagel continuously invests in innovation to improve its logistics services. The group has been recognized as one of the most visionary players in its sector (for example, Gartner ranked it as the "most visionary logistics provider" in its Magic Quadrant for 3PLs in 2020, praising its ability to challenge the status quo and develop innovative solutions for its clients. In practice, K+N has heavily digitized its processes) integrated information systems for transport management (TMS) and warehouse management (WMS), collaborative platforms with clients, automation of repetitive tasks, and big data analysis to refine the supply chain. In 2025, the company received an international award highlighting its responsible and efficient use of artificial intelligence in the supply chain, illustrating its lead in this area.

At the same time, Kuehne + Nagel has committed to an ambitious sustainable development approach. Aware of the carbon footprint of international transport, the group launched the "Net Zero Carbon" initiative aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all its sea shipments by 2030. This involves several axes: optimizing container filling and routes to reduce unnecessary trips, using less emitting alternative fuels (biofuels, synthetic fuels) in partnership with shipowners, and offsetting incompressible emissions through ecological projects (reforestation, renewable energies). Similarly, K+N offers its clients "green" solutions) for example, the option to choose a carbon-neutral shipping option (and transparently measures the environmental impact of the transports carried out.

Beyond emission reduction, Kuehne + Nagel's sustainable innovation includes improving the energy efficiency of its warehouses (eco-efficient buildings, use of solar energy), the progressive electrification of the road vehicle fleet used for final distribution, and the development of logistics services in the circular economy field (returns management, packaging recycling). By combining logistics performance and environmental responsibility, Kuehne + Nagel demonstrates a willingness to positively transform the supply chain world for the years to come.

Sectoral Specialties of Kuehne + Nagel

With its international scope, Kuehne + Nagel has developed specialized logistics solutions to meet the requirements of different client industries. Thanks to dedicated teams and in-depth expertise, the group adapts its services to the specificities of each industry:

• Aerospace) Solutions for the aerospace and aviation sector, with management of the transport of aircraft parts, engines, and sensitive equipment, AOG (Aircraft on Ground) support for urgent spare parts shipment, and compliance with the strict standards of this field.
• Automotive (Logistics tailored for the automotive industry, including just-in-time supply of assembly lines, management of aftermarket spare parts, and sequencing or kitting services to optimize production for manufacturers and suppliers.
• Consumer Goods) Solutions for consumer goods (food, beverages, hygiene products, etc.), with a focus on fast distribution to retail, management of promotional stocks, and flexibility to absorb seasonal demand peaks.
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals (Logistics services designed for the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, and medical equipment. Kuehne + Nagel notably offers its KN PharmaChain network with temperature-controlled transport for sensitive health products, compliance with good distribution practices (GDP), full traceability of shipments, and management of regulatory formalities (temperature-controlled products, hazardous substances, etc.) to ensure the integrity of medicines and vaccines throughout the chain.
• High-tech and Electronics) Logistics solutions adapted to technological products (consumer electronics, computer components, telecommunications). The group ensures secure transport of these high-value goods, with anti-shock and anti-theft measures, and organizes synchronized deliveries for product launches. Value-added services such as configuration postponement or equipment installation at the end-user's site can also be offered.
• Industry and Engineering (Kuehne + Nagel supports industrial sectors (machine tools, chemicals, energy, engineering projects) by managing the transport of heavy or oversized parts (industrial projects, out-of-gauge freight), project logistics for large-scale sites, and offering global supply chain solutions for equipment manufacturers.
• Perishables) For perishable foodstuffs, flowers, or other short-lived goods, K+N has temperature-controlled freight solutions throughout the journey. The group organizes, for example, the transport of fresh products by sea or air under controlled temperature, with refrigerated facilities in its warehouses and special monitoring to ensure sanitary quality until final delivery.

By offering these sectoral solutions, Kuehne + Nagel positions itself not only as a carrier but as a true partner understanding the specific challenges of each industry. This sectoral expertise allows it to offer tailor-made services (whether managing the supply chain of an automotive manufacturer, orchestrating the global distribution of an e-commerce giant, or transporting artworks for a museum) while ensuring the same level of operational excellence. The ability to understand and anticipate the specific needs of each sector is an integral part of Kuehne + Nagel's value proposition in the logistics market.

Kuehne + Nagel Shipment Tracking Statuses