BIC-Boxtech API for Intermodal Container Tracking & Logistics

Overview

BIC-Boxtech offers a suite of APIs designed to provide standardized, verified data for intermodal shipping containers and global facilities. Established in 2017, the platform centralizes information crucial for logistics operations, including container specifications, ownership, and facility codes. Its primary objective is to enhance efficiency and transparency within the global supply chain by enabling programmatic access to accurate equipment data.

The core products, including the BOXTECH API, BIC Facility Code API, and BIC Container Prefix Registry, cater to a range of use cases within the transportation and logistics industry. Developers can utilize these APIs to integrate container specifications, verify container prefixes against the Bureau International des Containers (BIC) database, and access details for specific intermodal facilities. This functionality is particularly valuable for organizations involved in container tracking and verification, automating equipment interchange processes, and integrating comprehensive container data into their Transport Management Systems (TMS).

BIC-Boxtech is suitable for freight forwarders, shipping lines, port authorities, rail operators, and logistics technology providers seeking to improve data accuracy and operational workflows. By providing a centralized source of truth for container data, it aims to reduce manual data entry, minimize errors, and accelerate decision-making across complex intermodal networks. For instance, a logistics platform might use the BOXTECH API to automatically retrieve the tare weight and maximum gross mass of a container upon booking, ensuring compliance and optimizing load planning. The API documentation is comprehensive and provides clear examples, facilitating integration for developers. Authentication is handled via API keys, allowing for secure and robust programmatic access to the data.

The platform's emphasis on standardized data aligns with broader industry efforts to improve interoperability in logistics, as highlighted by organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in their work on data formats and semantic web technologies for supply chain applications. By offering structured access to critical equipment information, BIC-Boxtech contributes to a more connected and efficient global freight ecosystem.

Key features

• BOXTECH API: Provides access to detailed specifications for over 200 million intermodal containers, including dimensions, tare weight, maximum gross mass, and other operational data. This enables automated data retrieval for load planning and compliance checks.
• BIC Container Prefix Registry: Allows real-time verification of container prefixes against the official BIC database, ensuring legitimate ownership and preventing fraud. This is critical for security and regulatory compliance in container management.
• BIC Facility Code API: Offers access to a global database of standardized facility codes (BFCs), providing consistent identification for depots, terminals, and other intermodal locations. This helps streamline communication and data exchange between different logistics partners.
• Container Tracking and Status Updates: While not a primary real-time tracking service, the APIs support integrating static and registered data which can be combined with other tracking solutions to provide a comprehensive view of container movements.
• Equipment Interchange Automation: Facilitates the automated exchange of container data between parties during equipment interchange processes, reducing manual paperwork and potential disputes.
• Data Validation and Quality Assurance: The platform emphasizes data accuracy and standardization, drawing from official BIC registrations to provide verified information.

Pricing

BIC-Boxtech offers a free developer account for initial exploration, with paid tiers structured to accommodate varying usage levels and features. The pricing model includes monthly subscriptions, with the starting paid tier providing basic access to the APIs.

For detailed pricing information and specific feature breakdowns per tier, refer to the official BIC-Boxtech pricing page.

Common integrations

BIC-Boxtech APIs are designed for integration into various logistics and enterprise systems. Common integration points include:

• Transport Management Systems (TMS): Integrating BOXTECH data into TMS platforms to automate container specification retrieval, aiding in load planning, booking, and documentation.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Connecting container and facility data with ERP modules for inventory management, asset tracking, and financial reconciliation.
• Port Community Systems: Utilizing BIC Facility Codes to standardize communication and data exchange between various stakeholders within port ecosystems.
• Freight Forwarding Software: Enhancing freight booking and operational platforms with verified container and facility information to improve accuracy and reduce manual data entry.
• Custom Logistics Applications: Building bespoke applications for container management, tracking, and compliance using the programmatic access offered by the APIs, as detailed in the BIC-Boxtech technical documentation.

Alternatives

• Inttra by E2open: A multi-carrier network providing ocean shipping services, including booking, tracking, and documentation, primarily focused on container visibility across carriers.
• Project44: Offers real-time visibility and predictive analytics for shipments across various modes of transportation, including ocean, road, rail, and air.
• FourKites: Provides real-time supply chain visibility solutions, including predictive estimated times of arrival (ETAs) and proactive alerts for multimodal shipments.

Getting started

To begin using the BIC-Boxtech APIs, developers can sign up for a free developer account to obtain an API key. Once an API key is acquired, it can be used to authenticate requests to the various endpoints. The following Python example demonstrates how to make a basic request to retrieve container information using the BOXTECH API.

import requests

API_KEY = 'YOUR_BICBOXTECH_API_KEY' # Replace with your actual API key
BASE_URL = 'https://api.bic-boxtech.org/v1'

def get_container_info(container_number):
    headers = {
        'Authorization': f'Bearer {API_KEY}',
        'Accept': 'application/json'
    }
    endpoint = f'{BASE_URL}/containers/{container_number}'
    
    try:
        response = requests.get(endpoint, headers=headers)
        response.raise_for_status() # Raise an exception for HTTP errors
        return response.json()
    except requests.exceptions.HTTPError as http_err:
        print(f"HTTP error occurred: {http_err}")
        print(f"Response content: {response.text}")
    except Exception as err:
        print(f"An error occurred: {err}")
    return None

# Example usage:
container_id = 'CMAU1234567' # Replace with a valid container number
container_data = get_container_info(container_id)

if container_data:
    print(f"Container Number: {container_data.get('containerNumber')}")
    print(f"Container Type: {container_data.get('containerType')}")
    print(f"Tare Weight (kg): {container_data.get('tareWeightKg')}")
    print(f"Max Gross Mass (kg): {container_data.get('maxGrossMassKg')}")
    print(f"Owner: {container_data.get('ownerName')}")
else:
    print(f"Could not retrieve data for container {container_id}")

This Python snippet initializes with an API key and defines a function to query the /containers/{container_number} endpoint. It handles potential HTTP errors and prints key container details if the request is successful. For further details on available endpoints, request parameters, and response structures, developers should consult the BIC-Boxtech technical documentation.