OOCL tracking

What is OOCL?

OOCL, an acronym for Orient Overseas Container Line, is one of the world's most reputable maritime container shipping companies. Based in Hong Kong, this company operates regular services between the world's largest international ports and offers integrated logistics solutions to businesses wishing to transport their goods across continents. Founded on a pioneering vision of international maritime commerce, the company has built a solid reputation through the reliability of its services, technical expertise and innovative approach to global supply chain management.

OOCL's history dates back to 1947, when visionary shipowner C.Y. Tung (Tung Chao-yung) realized his dream of creating China's first entirely Chinese-crewed international merchant fleet. That year, the first ship with an all-Chinese crew reached the Atlantic coasts of the United States and Europe, marking the beginning of an exceptional entrepreneurial venture. C.Y. Tung had actually established his operations in Hong Kong as early as 1937, but it was after World War II that the company truly took off with the development of regular cargo and passenger services under the name Orient Overseas Line.

The advent of containerization in the 1960s represented a major turning point for the company. In 1969, the company renamed itself Orient Overseas Container Line to reflect its new focus on containerized freight transport. That same year, OOCL became the first Asia-based shipping company to carry containerized freight across the Pacific, demonstrating its innovation capacity and pioneering role in modernizing international maritime commerce.

• Founded: 1947, with the first operations of Orient Overseas Line by C.Y. Tung, renamed OOCL in 1969 with the adoption of containerization
• Founder: C.Y. Tung (Tung Chao-yung), visionary shipowner who created China's first international merchant fleet
• Headquarters: Hong Kong, where the company maintains its historic headquarters
• Parent company: Orient Overseas International Limited (OOIL), itself a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Holdings since 2018
• Annual volume: Approximately 7 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) transported annually
• Global presence: More than 130 offices in over 100 major cities worldwide, covering 70 countries
• Workforce: Approximately 12,000 employees dedicated to maritime and logistics operations

The company has undergone several leadership transitions over the decades. In 1982, following C.Y. Tung's death, his son C.H. Tung took over the direction of Orient Overseas International Limited for fourteen years. In 1996, when C.H. Tung was elected Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, his brother C.C. Tung assumed leadership of the family business. Despite a severe financial crisis in the mid-1980s that brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy, OOCL was saved through the intervention of Hong Kong and Chinese partners, notably the Bank of China and China Merchants, enabling the company to regain stability and continue its development.

In July 2017, OOIL received a takeover offer of 6.3 billion US dollars from its Chinese competitor COSCO Shipping. This acquisition, finalized in 2018, ended the Tung family's control over the company they had founded more than seven decades earlier. Despite its integration into the COSCO Shipping Holdings group, OOCL has retained its distinctive brand, Hong Kong headquarters and broad operational autonomy. This strategy allows the company to maintain its identity and corporate culture while benefiting from the synergies and network strength offered by one of the world's largest maritime conglomerates.

Which countries does OOCL serve?

OOCL has a truly global operational network, covering all five continents with a presence in the world's most important ports and economic centers. The company operates approximately 78 weekly transits connecting Eurasia, Africa, Oceania and North America, thus offering exceptional geographic coverage for international trade. This reach allows OOCL customers to access virtually all major world markets with competitive transit times and recognized reliability.

In Asia, the company's historic cradle, OOCL ensures complete coverage of the region's major economies. The ports of mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries are connected by a dense network of intra-Asian services and connections with other continents. The company operates dedicated terminals in strategic locations, notably the KAOCT (Kaohsiung OOCL Container Terminal) in Taiwan, which is a major hub for transhipment operations in East Asia.

On the transpacific front, OOCL connects Asia to both US coasts with a diverse range of services. The company operates the Long Beach Container Terminal in California, a major asset for its West Coast US operations. Services to the US East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico complete this North American coverage. In August 2025, OOCL launched the new TLP8 service linking Asia to Mexico with accelerated transit times, demonstrating its continued commitment to improving its offer on Latin American routes.

• Asia-Pacific: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand
• North America: United States (West Coast, East Coast and Gulf of Mexico), Canada, Mexico
• Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and other countries on the east and west coasts of South America
• Europe: Pan-European coverage of 40 major ports, including Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Scan-Baltic region and Iberian Peninsula
• Middle East and Indian subcontinent: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Africa: South Africa, West Africa and East African coast ports

In Europe, OOCL's pan-European network covers 40 major ports across the continent. The company operates three dedicated intra-European services connecting Western Europe to the Scan-Baltic region (Finland, Poland, Russia) and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal). These feeder links offer quick connections with long-haul services to and from Asia and North America, enabling customers to reach destinations beyond the main ports of call.

OOCL is a member of the Ocean Alliance, one of three major global shipping alliances, alongside COSCO Shipping, CMA CGM and Evergreen Line. This alliance, initially concluded for five years, has been extended until 2027. It allows the four companies to pool their resources and offer customers expanded geographic coverage and more frequent departures on numerous routes. The Ocean Alliance has a combined capacity of 4.5 million TEU and over 330 container ships, making it a major player in global maritime transport.

What are OOCL's services and delivery times?

OOCL offers a complete range of maritime transport services tailored to the different needs of shippers, whether large industrial companies or SMEs looking to access international markets. The company organizes weekly or multi-weekly departures on its main routes, guaranteeing the regularity and predictability essential for customers' logistics planning. Services cover the entire maritime transport chain, from space booking to delivery at the destination port.

The FCL (Full Container Load) service is OOCL's main offering for shippers with sufficient volume to fill an entire container. In this mode, the customer reserves the entirety of a 20 or 40-foot container exclusively for their cargo. The container is sealed at the point of origin and transported directly to the recipient without transshipment, which significantly reduces the risk of damage or mixing of goods. This service is particularly suitable for large shipments or companies regularly shipping large quantities of products.

For smaller volume shipments, OOCL offers the LCL (Less than Container Load) service or maritime consolidation through its logistics division. In this case, multiple shipments from different shippers are consolidated within the same container, allowing each customer to pay only for the space actually used. OOCL Logistics organizes this consolidation by gathering compatible goods, then carries out deconsolidation at destination to deliver each batch to its respective recipient. This service democratizes access to international maritime transport for businesses of all sizes.

• Transpacific services: 8 South West Pacific (SWP) services, 4 North West Pacific (NWP) services, 8 Asia-US East Coast and Gulf services, 2 transatlantic services via the Ocean Alliance
• Asia-Europe services: 6 Asia-Northern Europe services, 4 Asia-Mediterranean services, 3 Far East-Middle East services
• Regional services: Intra-Asian links, intra-European links, Latin America connections and services to Australia/New Zealand
• Frequency: Weekly departures on most main routes, with approximately 78 weekly transits in total

Transit times vary considerably depending on the routes and ports of origin and destination. For the Asia-Europe route, standard transit times oscillate between 28 and 35 days for a full container (FCL), while consolidation (LCL) may require 33 to 40 days due to consolidation and deconsolidation operations. On the Asia-North America transpacific route, transit times are generally in the order of 15 to 25 days depending on whether the destination is on the US West Coast or East Coast.

It should be noted that since December 2023, disruptions in the Red Sea have forced most maritime carriers, including OOCL, to avoid the Suez Canal and instead use the Cape of Good Hope. This rerouting adds an average of 14 days to transit time on Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean routes. OOCL strives to maintain schedule integrity despite these geopolitical constraints, by adjusting its rotations and regularly communicating updated transit times.

Beyond pure maritime transport, OOCL relies on intermodal solutions to offer door-to-door transport solutions. The company has developed an extensive intermodal network combining maritime, rail, river and road transport. In North America, OOCL works closely with major rail companies to transport containers from ports inland. In Europe and Asia, dedicated river barges and trains connect major ports to inland terminals. This multimodal approach expands the geographic reach of the network and optimizes transit times and costs on land routes.

What are OOCL's rates and maximum container dimensions?

Maritime transport rates at OOCL, like all companies in the sector, are influenced by numerous factors and vary considerably depending on routes, seasons and market conditions. Freight rates in maritime transport are generally calculated on the basis of the type of container used (20 feet or 40 feet), the route taken, the type of service chosen and market conditions at the time of booking. OOCL does not publish a fixed rate schedule; prices are established on a quote basis depending on each customer's specific needs.

As an indication, average prices for shipping a 40-foot container vary significantly depending on routes and market conditions. On the Asia-US West Coast route, rates are around 3,900 US dollars per 40-foot container. For the US East Coast, prices reach approximately 5,100 dollars. On the Asia-Northern Europe route, rates are around 5,300 dollars, while to the Mediterranean, they are around 5,900 dollars per 40-foot container.

Several elements are added to the basic maritime freight rate. Fuel surcharges (BAF - Bunker Adjustment Factor) fluctuate based on oil prices. Port handling fees (THC - Terminal Handling Charges) are charged at origin and destination. Seasonal surcharges may apply during periods of high demand, particularly before year-end holidays or Chinese New Year. Demurrage and detention fees may also be charged if containers are not collected or returned within the specified timeframes.

• 20-foot standard container: Interior dimensions of approximately 5.9 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high, volumetric capacity of approximately 33 m³, maximum payload of approximately 21 to 25 tonnes depending on type
• 40-foot standard container: Interior dimensions of approximately 12 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high, volumetric capacity of approximately 67 m³, maximum payload of approximately 26 to 28 tonnes
• 40-foot High Cube container: Same length and width as the standard 40-foot, but with an interior height of 2.70 m, offering additional volume of approximately 76 m³
• Refrigerated containers (Reefer): Available in 20 and 40-foot, with slightly reduced capacity due to refrigeration unit, temperature range of -25°C to +25°C
• Special containers: Open Top (open roof), Flat Rack (platform), Tank (tank) for oversized or specific cargoes

OOCL imposes restrictions on certain types of goods and shipments exceeding the standard capacity of containers. For high-value shipments (valued at 100,000 US dollars or more), customers must declare the cargo value in writing before collection, at the latest when submitting the reservation, to allow verification of sufficient transport insurance coverage. In the event of non-compliance with this requirement, OOCL may disclaim all responsibility in the event of loss.

For oversized or exceptionally heavy cargo, OOCL offers custom solutions using specialized equipment such as open-top containers, platforms and lowbed containers. These shipments require advance planning, feasibility studies and sometimes obtaining special permits. The company mobilizes its expertise to organize the securing, bracing and handling of these particular cargoes in compliance with international safety standards.

What are OOCL's delivery options?

OOCL offers considerable flexibility in delivery options, allowing customers to choose the solution best suited to their operational constraints and logistics chain. The company offers both port-to-port services, where responsibility extends from loading to unloading of the container, and door-to-door solutions incorporating land transport at origin and destination. This versatility allows it to meet the varied needs of shippers, whether they have their own logistics organization or wish to entrust the entire chain to a single service provider.

Inland transport, referred to as "haulage," can be organized either by the customer themselves (Merchant Haulage) or by OOCL (Carrier Haulage). In the former case, the customer is responsible for having the container collected or delivered to the port by their own means or via a carrier of their choice. In the latter case, OOCL takes charge of organizing the land transport, offering a turnkey solution. OOCL's commercial teams present in over 100 major cities worldwide can be contacted to organize these complementary services.

OOCL has invested heavily in developing digital solutions to facilitate shipment management and provide real-time visibility to customers. The My OOCL Center portal is the central platform for making electronic bookings, tracking shipment status, accessing dematerialized documentation and submitting service requests. Customers can consult electronic bills of lading, invoicing and manage their notification preferences. A comprehensive mobile application complements this system to enable shipment management on the go.

• Port-to-port service: Container pickup at the origin port and delivery to the destination port, with the customer managing land transport at both ends
• Door-to-door service: Integrated solution including collection from the shipper, maritime transport and delivery to the final recipient's address
• Intermodal transport: Combination of maritime, rail and road transport to reach inland destinations far from ports
• Merchant Haulage: Customer organizes land transport themselves with a service provider of their choice
• Carrier Haulage: OOCL takes charge of organizing land transport on behalf of the customer
• Notification services: Automated email alerts on shipment progress, scheduled arrivals and container availability

The company also offers value-added services through its OOCL Logistics subsidiary. These services include order and warehouse management, cargo consolidation and deconsolidation, inland distribution and goods consolidation. For companies requiring complete supply chain management, OOCL Logistics can coordinate all flows, from transport planning to stock optimization, including administrative formalities.

With regard to container availability timeframes, OOCL applies demurrage and detention policies in line with industry practices. Containers must be collected at the port within a defined period after the vessel arrives, generally a few days, after which daily demurrage fees are charged. Similarly, empty containers must be returned within a set period after unloading, or detention fees will be charged. Detailed information about these timeframes and rates is available on the OOCL website for each port and container type.

What should I do if my OOCL shipment is lost or damaged?

In maritime container transport, cargo incidents, although relatively rare, can occur and require a rigorous claims procedure. According to World Shipping Council studies, approximately 1,390 containers are lost at sea each year on average globally. If your cargo shipped via OOCL suffers damage or loss, it is essential to act quickly and follow established procedures to maximize your chances of obtaining compensation.

The first step is to identify and document any damage immediately upon receiving the container or goods. When taking delivery, it is imperative to carefully inspect the container and its contents. If any anomalies are detected (broken seal, damaged container, damaged goods), written reservations must be issued on the carrier's delivery receipt, describing precisely the nature and extent of the damage observed. Never refuse a shipment and never discard damaged cargo, as this could compromise the compensation amount.

OOCL provides a dedicated online claims portal, accessible via the eClaims section of its website. To submit a claim, the customer must provide the bill of lading number with the "OOLU" prefix, the container number concerned, a description of the cargo and the extent of damage, as well as the claimed amount with a detailed breakdown of charges. A standardized form guides claimants through the required information.

• Claims deadline: Issue written reservations within 3 days of delivery for apparent damage, in line with industry practices
• Documents to provide: Letter of authorization (if the claim is not filed by the cargo owner), copy of the original commercial invoice and packing list
• Visual evidence: Expert report with digital photos certifying the nature and extent of loss or damage
• Delivery documentation: Carrier's delivery receipt with seal number and exceptions noted
• For destroyed cargo: Certificate of destruction for irretrievable goods
• Claims by insurers: Subrogation receipt if claim is filed by an insurance company

Regarding liability limits, OOCL applies the international conventions in force in maritime transport, namely the Hague-Visby Convention or the Hamburg Rules as applicable. These conventions provide compensation ceilings based on weight or number of packages, which may prove insufficient for high-value goods. It is therefore strongly recommended that shippers take out supplementary cargo insurance to cover the actual value of their goods.

OOCL Logistics offers cargo insurance solutions through its partnership with a recognized global insurer. Coverage plans are flexible and can apply from port-to-port to door-to-door services, including transhipments. The broadest insurance coverage is provided by applying the Institute Cargo Clause (A), which covers all risks and extends to all modes of transport. Taking out such insurance before shipment allows you to be compensated at the actual value of your goods in the event of loss, regardless of the carrier's liability limits.

It should be noted that OOCL has certain liability exclusions. The carrier accepts no responsibility for cargo claims related to land transport of refrigerated containers not operated at the customer's request, the risk being entirely borne by the party making the reservation. Similarly, for containers prepared for food products, in the event of a claim, customers must be able to prove that the container was not prepared according to required food quality standards.

Does OOCL handle international shipments and customs formalities?

As a maritime company specializing in the international transport of containers, OOCL is by nature entirely focused on cross-border trade. Almost all shipments handled by the company involve crossing customs borders, whether for intercontinental trade or regional connections. OOCL therefore has proven expertise in managing international flows and assists its customers in preparing the documentation necessary for customs clearance of their goods.

International shipments via OOCL require preparation of a set of essential documents for customs formalities. The maritime bill of lading, issued by OOCL, constitutes the main transport document certifying the company's receipt of the goods. The commercial invoice, issued by the shipper, details the nature, quantity and value of exported goods. The packing list lists all packages contained in the shipment. A certificate of origin may be required depending on the destinations and preferential arrangements applicable.

For imports into the European Union, operators must have an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification), a unique identifier necessary for any import-export operation outside the EU. It is also necessary to know the customs nomenclature of the product (HS or NC code) in order to determine applicable customs duties, commercial policy measures and any restrictions. OOCL can direct its customers to relevant resources, but responsibility for customs compliance ultimately lies with the importer or exporter.

• Maritime bill of lading (Bill of Lading): Transport document issued by OOCL, available in paper or electronic form via the My OOCL Center portal
• Commercial invoice: Document prepared by the shipper detailing the commercial transaction and serving as the basis for calculating customs duties
• Packing list: Detailed inventory of packages making up the shipment, used to verify compliance with the declaration
• Certificate of origin: Certification of the country of manufacture of the goods, necessary for the application of certain preferential tariffs
• Specific declarations: Depending on the nature of the goods (phytosanitary, veterinary, chemical substances, etc.)

OOCL Logistics, the group's logistics subsidiary, offers customs formalities assistance services for customers wishing to outsource this function. These services may include the preparation of shipping documents, regulatory advice and coordination with local customs agents. OOCL offices present in over 70 countries can be contacted for information on local procedures.

Regarding customs duties and taxes, these are generally borne by the recipient (importer) under the most common Incoterms such as FOB or CIF. The importer is responsible for paying customs duties, import VAT and any other taxes applicable in the destination country. Some Incoterms such as DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) provide that the shipper bears these costs, but this arrangement remains less common in maritime container transport.

Customs clearance times can vary significantly depending on the country, nature of the goods and completeness of documentation. Within the European Union, clearance can be completed within a few hours for regular shipments with compliant documentation. However, additional physical or documentary checks may extend this timeframe. For goods subject to specific regulations (food products, medicines, controlled substances), additional time should be expected for verification by the competent authorities.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track an OOCL container online, different statuses may appear to inform you of the progress of your shipment through the various stages of maritime transport. OOCL's tracking system, accessible via the My OOCL Center portal or directly on the company's website, provides real-time information on the position and status of your containers. Here are the main statuses and their meaning: