# ESL Cargo Tracking Scraper (`muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper`) Actor

Track Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) containers, bills of lading, and vessels. Get routes, ports, ETA/ETB dates, intended vessel, and full container movement history as JSON, CSV, or Excel. Automate ESL cargo tracking with API access, schedules, and webhooks.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Muhammet Akkurt](https://apify.com/muhammetakkurtt) (community)
- **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, Other
- **Stats:** 1 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 2 bookmarks
- **User rating**: 5.00 out of 5 stars

## Pricing

from $5.00 / 1,000 tracking results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

![Emirates Shipping Line Container Tracking and Vessel Data Scraper](https://i.postimg.cc/L5wR3tB7/esl-banner.png)

## ESL Cargo Tracking Scraper

### What does ESL Cargo Tracking Scraper do?

**ESL Cargo Tracking Scraper** automates Emirates Shipping Line container tracking, bill of lading tracking, and vessel schedule lookup. Submit container or B/L references to retrieve shipment routes, ports, vessels, ETA and ETB dates, and complete container movement history. You can also search by ESL vessel code to collect current position, service, voyage, and upcoming port schedule data.

The Actor turns Emirates Shipping Line tracking data into structured JSON that can be downloaded as CSV or Excel, accessed through an API, scheduled for recurring checks, or connected to logistics dashboards and notification workflows.

The Actor supports two complementary Emirates Shipping Line tracking workflows:

- 📦 **ESL container tracking** — retrieve shipment and container movement details
- 📄 **Bill of lading tracking** — search cargo using an ESL B/L reference
- 🚢 **ESL vessel tracking** — look up vessel information using a vessel code
- 🗺️ **Route monitoring** — collect origin, discharge, and final-port information
- 🕒 **ETA and ETB tracking** — retrieve carrier-provided schedule dates
- 📍 **Container movement history** — collect gate, loading, discharge, and other milestones
- 🔌 **Emirates Shipping Line tracking API** — automate lookups through Apify

Shipment and vessel lookups can be submitted together in the same run. Successful records are stored in the default Apify dataset.

### Why scrape Emirates Shipping Line shipment data?

Manual carrier searches do not scale when a team manages many shipments or vessels. ESL tracking automation helps freight forwarders, importers, exporters, shipping agencies, and supply chain platforms:

- Track multiple ESL containers and bills of lading in one run
- Monitor origin, destination, discharge port, and intended vessel
- Send shipment updates to internal dashboards or customer portals
- Schedule recurring checks for ETA or movement changes
- Export ESL tracking data for reporting and analytics
- Combine shipment tracking and vessel schedule data in one workflow

### What data can you extract from Emirates Shipping Line?

**Shipment tracking fields**

| Data field | Description |
|---|---|
| `tracking_number` | Container or B/L reference submitted by the user |
| `blNo` | Bill of lading number |
| `bookNo` | Booking number |
| `originPortDesc` | Shipment origin port |
| `dischargePortDesc` | Discharge port |
| `finalPortDesc` | Final destination port |
| `eta`, `etb`, `inlandEta` | Carrier-provided arrival and berthing dates |
| `intendedVessel` | Intended vessel and voyage information |
| `movementList` | Containers and their movement activity history |
| `containerActivity` | Movement description, code, port, vessel, voyage, and activity date |

**Vessel lookup fields**

Vessel results can include the submitted `vessel_code`, vessel name, voyage, service, current location, current-port ETA/ETD, and next-port schedule details. Available fields depend on the vessel record returned by ESL.

### Ready-to-Run Examples

Get started in seconds — open the example in the Apify Console and click **Run**:

- **[Track ESL Containers by Container Number](https://apify.com/muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper/examples/track-esl-containers-by-container-number)** — enter a container number and get its route, ETA/ETB, intended vessel, and complete container movement history.

### How to track ESL shipments step by step

1. Open the Actor in Apify Console.
2. Add container or bill of lading references under **Tracking Numbers**.
3. Optionally add ESL vessel codes under **Vessel Codes**.
4. Click **Start**.
5. Preview the records in the **Output** tab or export the dataset.

#### Example input

```json
{
  "trackingNumbers": [
    "DFSU6932654"
  ],
  "vesselCodes": [
    "ASE"
  ]
}
```

#### ESL tracking input parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `trackingNumbers` | Array of strings | Conditional | Container or B/L references, one per line |
| `vesselCodes` | Array of strings | Conditional | ESL vessel codes, one per line |

Provide at least one shipment reference or one vessel code. If both arrays contain values, the Actor processes both lookup types.

### ESL Cargo Tracking Scraper output example

A shipment lookup produces a record similar to this shortened example:

```json
{
  "tracking_number": "DFSU6932654",
  "blNo": "EXAMPLE-BL",
  "bookNo": "EXAMPLE-BOOKING",
  "originPortDesc": "ORIGIN PORT",
  "finalPortDesc": "FINAL PORT",
  "eta": "28-Apr-2026",
  "intendedVessel": "VESSEL 001A",
  "movementList": [
    {
      "containerNo": "DFSU6932654",
      "containerActivity": [
        {
          "movementDesc": "IMPORT LADEN DISCHARGED FROM VESSEL",
          "portName": "DISCHARGE PORT",
          "vessel": "VESSEL NAME",
          "voyage": "001A",
          "activityDate": "28-Apr-2026"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

A vessel lookup uses `vessel_code` as its identifying field and returns the vessel record supplied by ESL. Unknown references and codes are skipped and do not create a `tracking-result` charge event.

### Integrations and ESL tracking API

Run Emirates Shipping Line cargo tracking as part of a larger workflow using Apify platform features:

- **API access** from Python, JavaScript, cURL, or another HTTP client
- **Schedules** for hourly, daily, or custom recurring tracking
- **Webhooks** for success, failure, and completion notifications
- **Integrations** with Google Sheets, Slack, Zapier, Make, and other tools
- **Dataset exports** in JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, HTML, or RSS

### Frequently asked questions

#### Is it legal to scrape Emirates Shipping Line?

The Actor retrieves shipment and vessel information using references supplied by the user. Only access data you are authorized to use, and ensure your use complies with applicable laws and carrier terms. This Actor is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Emirates Shipping Line.

#### Can I track multiple shipments at once?

Yes. Populate `trackingNumbers`, `vesselCodes`, or both. The Actor processes the combined task list in parallel batches.

#### What types of tracking numbers are supported?

The shipment lookup accepts container and bill of lading references. Vessel lookup accepts ESL vessel codes.

#### What if a tracking number is not found?

The reference may be invalid, newly issued, unavailable in the carrier system, or temporarily affected by an upstream outage. Check its formatting and retry later.

#### How do I get support or report issues?

Open the **Issues** tab on the Actor page and provide the run ID and non-sensitive logs. Never include your Apify token or confidential shipping documents.

# Actor input Schema

## `trackingNumbers` (type: `array`):

Container or B/L numbers to track — one per line.

## `vesselCodes` (type: `array`):

Optional. ESL vessel codes to look up — one per line. Returns each vessel's current position, service and schedule (current/next port with ETA/ETD).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "trackingNumbers": [
    "DFSU6932654"
  ]
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Collected ESL shipment tracking data, one item per tracking number

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{}' |
apify call muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,muhammetakkurtt/esl-cargo-tracking-scraper"
        }
    }
}

```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/0skMEHroRQvlymm1r/builds/zGTdDpoxdXkMdchTo/openapi.json