FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about Big Schedules.

1. What makes Big Schedules BIG? 

Big Schedules is a new, smarter way to search. Leveraging big data sources, it displays live vessel information about current vessel locations in the search results, it rapidly checks multiple sources of published sailing schedules at once to provide current schedule data, and it makes search criteria recommendations based on past history. Start searching today to improve your shipment planning and to see the difference.

2. What do the colorful dots on the map represent?

We monitor and analyze around 7,000 container vessels. The map on the homepage shows the vessels’ previous movements and current positions. Each dot represents a container vessel. The map on the homepage also highlights incidents, such as strikes and typhoons that might impact your shipment schedules to help you identify areas of potential schedule changes.

3. Where can I find vessel information?

In the schedule search results, click the arrow on the right side of each schedule to expand the schedule details. You can see the vessel’s current position on the map in order to better plan your shipments.

4. What is the data coverage for Big Schedules?

Big Schedules provides sailing schedules for 30 ocean carriers, over 46,000 port pairs, and nearly 5,000 services, covering 90% of world’s container capacity.

5. What are the data sources of Big Schedules?

Big Schedules is based on data from carriers’ EDI, the Automatic Identification System (AIS), and CargoSmart’s Global Vessel Voyage Monitoring Center (GVVMC).

6. How frequently is the Big Schedules data updated?

Big Schedules checks for schedule updates on an hourly basis. However, in some cases, the sailing schedule data may be updated on a daily or weekly basis.

7. What is the date range of the schedules I can search?

By default, you can search for schedules with a departure date in the coming two weeks. We do not include schedules that have departure dates that have already passed.

8. Does Big Schedules provide transshipment and inland schedules?

For carriers that publish transshipment and inland schedules, Big Schedules includes it in the schedule search results.

9. How do I filter schedules by carrier?

Big Schedules offers three ways to filter schedule results by carrier. Either click on the color bar near the origin/destination search fields to select carriers, or refine your search from the left side bar of the search results, or sort your search results by clicking on the Carrier column header. You will discover many ways to tailor the results to your criteria. 

10. How can I filter sailing schedule search results?

In the search results, the filtering options are on the left hand side. If the filters are hidden, click “Refine Search” to expand the column. You can filter your search results by carrier, origin/destination, departure date, and direct/transshipment route.

11. What is the default display sequence of the sailing schedule search results?

The Big Schedules search engine will return the most frequently searched carriers’ results at the top. Other carriers’ results will be displayed in alphabetical order.

12. How can I sort sailing schedule search results?

In the search results, click the desired column heading to sort the sailing schedule results. You can sort your search results by transit time, carrier, CY cutoff time, departure time, and arrival time. Be sure to wait until all the search results are shown before you sort.

13. What additional features do I receive when I register for Big Schedules?

If you sign up for a free account, you can experience more intelligent features:

• · Favorite Search – Save your favorite searches to easily get the most customized, latest results with one click from the homepage.
• · Schedule Reliability – Review carriers’ on-time performance for five popular port-pairs to benchmark carriers.

14. How do I save my favorite searches?

To save up to five of your favorite searches after registering, click the heart icon on the right top corner of the search results. Alternatively, you can click the Favorite icon next to the Search icon.

15. How many favorite searches may I save?

You can save up to five favorites. For each favorite, you can include up to five point pairs.

16. Which port pairs show schedule reliability information?

After registering, you can view schedule reliability for five popular port pairs. They include major ports on the trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic, and Asia-Europe trade lanes. 

17. How can I access the full version of Schedule Reliability?

If you are interested in using the full version of Schedule Reliability, please contact info@bigschedules.com for more information.

18. If I cannot find the account activation email, how can I activate my account?

If you cannot find the account activation email in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folders. Please contact us at support@bigschedules.com if you need any assistance.

19. How do I update my user profile or change my password?

• · To update your user profile, please click the “Account” icon on the right top corner and then choose “User Profile” from the menu.

• · To change your password, please click the “Account” icon on the right top corner and then choose “Change Password” from the menu.

20. Can I publish the sailing schedules through my company’s website?

If you are a NVOCC or freight forwarder and would like to provide sailing schedule data through your company’s website, please contact info@bigschedules.com for more information.

21. If I want to list my company’s sailing schedules on Big Schedules, what should I do?

If you are an ocean carrier and would like to list your company’s sailing schedules on Big Schedules, please contact info@bigschedules.com for more information.

22. What are the recommended browser versions and what is the minimum screen resolution for Big Schedules?

We recommend your browser to be Chrome 34 or above, Firefox 31.2 or above, or Internet Explorer 9 or above. The minimum screen resolution for viewing the Big Schedules website is 1280x1024.

To install a supported browser version, please visit:

Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome/

Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/

Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

You can open Big Schedules in different browsers at the same time. We recommend that you do not open Big Schedules in more than one tab or window in the same browser as this may impact your search experience.