TRADLINX

ETA Accuracy and Delay Management: The Deciding Factors in Supply Chain Performance

The modern supply chain doesn’t move on gut instinct or guesswork. It runs on real-time data, predictive insights, and ETA updates you can actually trust.

Two questions define supply chain performance today:

• Can you trust your ETA?
• When a delay happens, how fast do you know?

As volatility becomes a feature—not a bug—of global trade, accurate ETAs and instant disruption alerts are the new baseline for any serious logistics operation.

To understand how ETA accuracy and delay visibility differ in practice, we’ve compared three widely adopted ocean visibility solutions: Gocomet, Visiwise, and TRADLINX. These platforms are representative of the tools used by companies ranging from growing SMEs to enterprise-level shippers—offering a clear snapshot of what’s available outside of fully bespoke systems built for global mega-carriers.

Everyone Tracks Ships—But Not Everyone Predicts Delays Accurately

All three platforms—Gocomet, Visiwise, and TRADLINX—leverage AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to track vessel movements. Core features such as vessel location, sailing routes, anchorage status, and departure times are now standard across the board.

But real-time location alone isn’t enough.

In modern logistics, the difference between on-time and off-track isn’t just location tracking—it’s how fast you recognize delays and how accurate your ETAs really are.

Each solution takes a different approach to calculating ETAs and managing delay detection—leading to meaningful differences in accuracy, responsiveness, and user experience.

Gocomet: Schedule-Based ETA Enhanced by Historical Data

Gocomet calculates estimated arrival times by combining carrier schedules, AIS vessel tracking data, port congestion levels, and historical voyage patterns. Its machine learning engine analyzes trends across over 700 global ports to refine ETAs based on recurring congestion and delay data.

Key Features

• Blends real-time AIS with historical and schedule-based data to estimate ETAs
• Uses machine learning to forecast port congestion and route-specific delays
• Updates provided in hourly intervals

Strengths

• Well-suited for shippers operating fixed, predictable routes with moderate variability
• Simple, visual shipment statuses (e.g., Processing, Delayed, Completed) and filter tools enhance usability
• Historical delay insights support longer-term planning and trend analysis

Considerations

• Delays are displayed only in full-day increments, limiting hour-level precision
• ETA calculations are based on the most recent carrier-provided schedule, which may not reflect cumulative delays
• Data refreshes hourly—less frequent than near-real-time solutions
• Tracking is limited to nine checkpoints and lacks extensive multimodal shipment visibility

Visiwise: Schedule-Based Tracking with Simplified Alerts

Visiwise estimates shipment arrival times by aligning monthly carrier schedule data with AIS vessel positions. While updates are periodic, it provides a user-friendly platform for basic tracking and notification needs, making it suitable for smaller operations or those with straightforward routing.

Key Features

• Initial ETAs based on carrier schedules; updated periodically using AIS data
• Supports seven shipment checkpoints, including vessel location and terminal info
• Provides email-based notifications for key shipment events

Strengths

• Quick to implement, with a minimal learning curve
• Good fit for SMEs or teams that require baseline shipment visibility without advanced analytics
• Daily reporting supports internal visibility and tracking handoffs

Considerations

• ETAs are not dynamically predictive; based solely on schedules
• AIS data updates every 4 hours; schedule data every 6 hours—potential delay in reflecting real-time events
• Lacks push notifications, color-coded delay alerts, or geofence-triggered warnings
• Limited to seven checkpoints; tracking capacity capped at 100 containers

TRADLINX Ocean Visibility: High-Frequency Tracking and Proactive Delay Management

TRADLINX combines real-time AIS data with schedules from over 87 global shipping lines to deliver hour-level ETA precision. It’s designed for teams that manage complex, high-volume logistics and need faster responses to disruption through predictive tracking and customizable alerts.

Key Features

• Tracks 13 shipment checkpoints from container pickup to return
• Data refreshes every 15 minutes for near real-time visibility
• Automatic ETA recalculations based on live AIS and carrier data

Strengths

• High-frequency updates allow for faster detection and response to delays
• Visual delay tracking with color-coded status tags improves prioritization
• Customizable push/email alerts tailored to operational needs
• Supports multi-stakeholder collaboration and ERP/WMS system integration
• Proven adoption by global enterprises managing complex logistics flows

Considerations

• Hour-level inland delay accuracy may vary depending on multimodal data availability (e.g., truck, rail)

Matching Solutions to Customer Needs

All three platforms offer essential vessel tracking features—but the real differentiator lies in how well they align with operational priorities such as responsiveness, delay visibility, and the ability to justify ETAs to stakeholders.

Here’s a summary of which types of companies are best suited for each solution based on logistics complexity, response requirements, and integration needs:

Gocomet

Gocomet is ideal for companies operating predictable, repetitive shipping routes with a strong focus on ETA accuracy.

• Large shippers regularly using fixed routes and ports.
• Companies prioritizing analytical forecasting and visualization over rapid emergency responses.

Considerations

1. Machine learning-based predictive ETA beneficial for fixed routes
   • Gocomet uses machine learning to analyze historical route data, including congestion levels, average lead times, and typical shipping patterns.
   • Accuracy decreases in complex global supply chains with unpredictable routing.
   • Only assesses delays compared to the latest provided ETA, complicating cumulative delay tracking from initial schedules.
2. Difficulty in precise delay management
   • Provides delays only in daily increments, lacking hour-level precision.
   • Updates data hourly, creating potential delays (average delay around 47 minutes) in responding to critical events, significantly limiting quick reaction capabilities.

Visiwise

Visiwise is suitable for companies seeking quick implementation of basic real-time tracking features.

• Companies requiring basic shipment tracking and sharing over predictive ETA capabilities.
• SMEs with limited IT resources prioritizing rapid deployment.

Considerations

1. Provides basic shipment location tracking only
   • No predictive ETA; strictly relies on scheduled carrier data.
2. Data update limitations affecting responsiveness
   • AIS positions update every 4 hours; carrier schedules update every 6 hours, causing delays up to 6 hours in recognizing unexpected changes (weather, routing changes).
   • Users may be informed of delays too late for effective response, especially critical in tight schedule situations.
3. Limited checkpoint details
   • Offers only 7 checkpoints, restricting detailed shipment stage monitoring.
   • Maximum simultaneous tracking of 100 containers restricts scalability.

TRADLINX Ocean Visibility

TRADLINX Ocean Visibility is ideal for companies needing rapid delay recognition and proactive management in complex logistics environments.

• Global manufacturers, retailers, or large forwarders managing hundreds of shipments.
• Companies that need immediate visibility and coordinated action when delays impact multiple stakeholders (carriers, forwarders, internal teams).
• Organizations requiring faster disruption response and coordinated supply chain action.

Considerations

1. One of the most detailed refresh cycles in the industry
   • Tracks 13 checkpoints with 15-minute updates—among the most granular in the industry.
   • Refreshes data every 15 minutes, offering near real-time insights.
   • Integrates AIS data with schedules from 87 major shipping lines to significantly enhance ETA accuracy.
2. Hourly precision delay analysis and automatic ETA adjustments
   • Automatically calculates and visually displays the differences between initial and actual ETDs and ETAs.
   • Continuous ETA adjustments based on real-time data, enabling precise delay analysis.
3. Intuitive UX and customizable real-time alerts
   • Automated categorization and visual prioritization of shipments approaching deadlines or experiencing delays.
   • Instant push notifications and customizable email alerts, tailored specifically to each user’s needs.
4. Global reliability and performance
   • Trusted by industry veterans like Philips, Canon, Access World, Samsung Logitec, and LG Chem.
   • Recognized by Gartner Digital Market Awards in 2024 in seven distinct categories, affirming its strong global market position.

Logistics leaders aren’t just tracking shipments—they’re tracking performance. If your team needs faster answers and smarter alerts, it’s time to upgrade your visibility.