Port Introduces Internet Tracking

Retail companies, individuals and shipping agencies can now check the realtime status of their shipping imports, following the introduction last week of Internet tracking on the Cayman Islands Port Authority’s website.

Once cargo has landed and is in the Port Authority’s possession, a tracking system takes immediate effect, using several means of identification. By logging on to www.caymanport.com and searching by the Control Number or the shipping company’s Account Code, importers can track the status of their goods. Alternatively, the location may be traced by entering the container number. These numbers and codes are known to the shipping agencies and are used on port documents. Searches can apply either to full containers or partial shipments.

This new web tracking service was chosen by the Port Authority as a quicker alternative to printing the lists of ships and cargo movements in local newspapers. “The decision was made for several reasons: newspaper ads would have been several days behind and it would have been difficult to maintain access to current information as status changes so rapidly,” said Port Director Paul Hurlston.

The web-based system is automated, allowing live updates as the cargo is moved from the port to the cargo distribution centre or to other holding areas.

Referring to the ease of finding and moving containers, Mr. Hurlston also noted that the three recently commissioned additional acres adjacent to the distribution centre have eased the sorting process.

Additionally, movement of the increasing volume of cargo will be simplified by the anticipated arrival of two new heavy-duty container-handling machines.