Case study

Hapag-Lloyd accelerates shipment visibility and predictive ETAs

How Hapag-Lloyd deployed a real-time tracking and predictive ETA solution to minimize disruptions, at a global scale and in record time.

Industry: Transportation & logistics
Region: Germany, EMEA
HERE products used: HERE Map Rendering, HERE Asset Tracking, HERE Geocoding & Search, Professional Services

Key Results:

2M+

containers equipped in under a year

90%

of container fleet connected with real-time tracking

15-minute

intervals for location tracking instead of milestone updates

Hapag-Lloyd needed

Fast, scalable innovation for global visibility

Hapag-Lloyd is one of the biggest names in global shipping, more than 2.5 million containers moving between 600+ ports. Their containers also travel extensively by rail, truck and barge, creating a vast and complex inland transport network.

Yet once containers leave port and enter inland transport, visibility gaps emerge. Containers can be delayed by congestion, weather, construction, or operational inefficiencies and in some cases, seemingly vanish during handovers between modes.

For customers moving high-value or time-sensitive goods, uncertainties around arrival times can disrupt supply chains, inflate costs and reduce trust. To solve this, Hapag‑Lloyd needed a partner who could operate at a massive scale, integrate seamlessly with existing systems and deliver predictive intelligence.

The world of container shipping is more volatile than before. Tracking containers in real-time is crucial because it helps us see exactly where they are, even when disruptions occur.

Karsten Schmidt, Director of Live Position and Track and Trace at Hapag-Lloyd

HERE delivered

A robust platform for accurate, predictive ETAs across global transport modes

Working with HERE, AWS and Deloitte, Hapag-Lloyd developed the Live Position service to track over two million containers in near real-time. HERE integrated high-precision map data, routing algorithms, geocoding, search and geofencing with NRT positioning signals from Hapag-Lloyd’s container devices.

HERE Tracking was fully integrated into Hapag‑Lloyd’s Live Position system, enhancing its existing real-time monitoring with AI‑powered ETA predictions for inland transportation.

Deloitte provide implementation guidance and coordinate the multiparty project. “The foundation of the four parties creates the right solution for the transportation and logistics industry,” says Max Evers, lead account executive at HERE. “AWS contributes IT infrastructure, Deloitte strategic advisory capabilities, Hapag-Lloyd domain knowledge and HERE location intelligence.”

By equipping more than 2 million containers, Hapag‑Lloyd now receives continuous indoor/outdoor sensor data at scale, enabling accurate forecasts across rail, truck, and barge legs.

Hapag-Lloyd gained

Smarter operations, proactive service and next‑generation insights

Moving beyond static, schedule‑based updates, Live Position system provides Hapag-Lloyd customers with greater visibility and efficiency, but the benefits don’t end with speed.

Operations teams benefit from higher accuracy and earlier insight into potential disruptions, enabling more efficient resource allocation and empowering the shift from reactive to proactive operational planning.

Smarter routes cut fuel use, and geofenced zones for high-value goods add an extra layer of security. Combined, these benefits reduce operational uncertainties and improve customer satisfaction.

“While we already know where each container is at any moment, our collaboration with HERE allows us to predict where it will be across any transport mode, in any country. This capability significantly boosts our operational planning and supports our customers with unparalleled precision in shipment timing.”

Why HERE?

Predictive intelligence at scale

Using a scalable, API-based platform that integrates easily with existing systems and can handle large volumes of data.

Built for global logistics

HERE’s ETA models work across trucks, trains, and barges. This resolves one of the most difficult challenges in multimodal logistics.

Trusted partnership with a plan

Working closely with Hapag-Lloyd, HERE processed over 10 million transport records, adjusted geofences for accuracy, and tested the system to manage millions of location updates each day.

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See related products and location services

HERE Map Rendering

Render spatial data to suit your business needs. Use data that is accurate, comprehensive and updated daily.

HERE Asset tracking

Streamline operations, reduce costs and improve end-to-end supply chain visibility, performance and resilience.

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HERE Geocoding & Search

Enable precise conversion and discovery of geocoordinates, POIs and addresses to improve location accuracy and context.

Professional Services

Unlock the full potential of location intelligence with expert guidance at every step.

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This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute commercial or technical advice. Individual results may vary, and HERE Technologies makes no guarantees regarding outcomes.