The EDI 315 is like a flight tracker — but for ocean freight. From departure to docking, it helps companies track cargo throughout its journey — whether it’s crossing international maritime boundaries or moving between domestic ports.
In this guide, we’ll explain the EDI 315 — its definition, how it works, and why it’s a key player in the ocean shipping industry. Whether you're managing container shipments or simply curious about how logistics teams keep global cargo flowing, you’ll get a clear understanding of how the EDI 315 keeps ocean freight tracking accurate and up to date.
What’s the EDI 315 Document?
The EDI 315 — officially known as the Status Details (Ocean) document — is part of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system, which allows businesses to exchange shipping information electronically without relying on paperwork, emails, or phone calls.
Ocean carriers use the EDI 315 to send timely updates about a container’s journey to the shipper (who sends the goods) and the consignee (who receives them). These updates cover key milestones — such as loading, port arrival, customs clearance, delays, and final delivery — giving all parties visibility into the shipment’s current status and what to expect next.
Each EDI 315 document is specific to a single shipment or container. It doesn’t cover multiple shipments or batches of containers. Instead, it provides focused, detailed updates for one ocean freight container, allowing trading partners to monitor its progress from origin to destination.
Here’s an example: Let’s say a supplier in Spain ships a container of handmade ceramics to a buyer in the United States. Once the ocean carrier loads the container onto the vessel in Spain, an EDI 315 is sent to confirm departure. A few days later, another EDI 315 arrives, notifying the buyer that the ship has reached the port in New York. Thanks to these automated, real-time updates, the buyer doesn’t need to contact the supplier to check the shipment’s location or status.
The EDI 315 Specification, Format and Elements
The EDI 315 is part of the X12 EDI standard, a widely used format for exchanging business documents electronically. Like all X12 documents, it’s made up of structured segments and data elements arranged in a specific order. Each segment serves a distinct role in the EDI transaction, allowing systems to process shipment updates automatically and accurately.
Sample EDI 315 Document
Below is a sample EDI 315 document. It may look technical, but it’s a reliable, standardized way to keep global shipping operations running smoothly:
B4*ARR*CNTR1234567*20250401*1200*PORT
N9*BM*BILL12345
Q2*VESSEL01*VOY123*ES
SG*CONTAINER ARRIVED AT PORT
R4*L*NEW YORK
DTM*140*20250401*1200
Key Data Elements and Segments
Let’s break down the key parts of the EDI 315 to better understand what kind of information each one delivers:
B4 (Beginning Segment for Shipment Status)
This segment opens the transaction by identifying the type of event (such as arrival or departure), along with the shipment ID, date, time, and location. It sets the stage for the rest of the status update by describing the key details of the shipping event.
N9 (Reference Identification)
The N9 segment contains important tracking identifiers — such as the bill of lading, purchase order, or booking reference number — so everyone involved knows exactly which shipment the status update is about.
Q2 (Status Details (Ocean))
Q2 provides details about the ocean portion of the shipment, including the vessel name, voyage number, and country information.
SG (Shipment Status)
This segment offers a short, descriptive status message — such as “container loaded at origin terminal” or “vessel departed port” — providing human-readable context for the update.
R4 (Port or Terminal Information)
The R4 segment identifies relevant ports and terminals, including loading, destination, or intermediate locations, using standardized codes.
DTM (Date/Time Reference)
DTM specifies when the reported status event occurred, linking a precise date and time to the update in the B4 segment.
Benefits of EDI 315
The EDI 315 keeps the ocean shipping process transparent, timely, and efficient by delivering structured status updates. Here are some of its top advantages:
Improved Shipment Tracking and Visibility
The EDI 315 gives stakeholders more control by offering a clear, up-to-date view of the shipment’s journey. With automated status messages, shippers and receivers always know where their ocean freight is.
Enables Carrier Performance Evaluation
By collecting consistent tracking data, companies can assess how reliable their ocean carriers are — on-time arrivals, delays, or missed milestones are all trackable.
Enhanced Incoming Delivery Planning
Knowing when a shipment will arrive helps businesses prepare on the ground. Teams can schedule staff, space, and equipment more effectively.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Automated updates reduce the need for manual tracking or back-and-forth communication. That means less time spent chasing information and more time getting things done.
Proactive Risk Mitigation
If something goes wrong, like a delay at sea or a missed port, the EDI 15 provides early warnings so companies can act quickly to reduce impact.
Increased Cost Savings
Better planning, fewer delays, and less manual work add up to real cost savings across the supply chain.
Improved Customer Service
With accurate shipment updates, businesses keep their customers in the loop so they can manage expectations more easily — and that leads to happier clients.
Enhanced Compliance
The EDI 315 supports regulatory and partner-specific reporting requirements by delivering consistent, structured shipment data on time.
Simplified Documentation
By digitizing updates and reducing paperwork, the EDI 315 keeps documentation organized and accessible — no more digging through email chains or printed reports.
Common EDI 315 Issues
The EDI 315 plays a critical role in shipment tracking, but it’s still susceptible to common issues that can disrupt the flow of data between trading partners. Here are some EDI transaction challenges trading partners may encounter:
Challenges with Reference Identification
If reference numbers — like the container ID or bill of lading — aren’t consistent across systems, updates can’t be properly linked to the correct shipment. These mismatches can cause confusion and delays, especially when multiple partners are involved and rely on that information to make decisions. A strong EDI implementation should include standardized reference formats and validation checks to keep all parties aligned and shipments moving smoothly.
Missing Information
The document is less effective if specific segments — like dates, times, or location codes — are incorrectly omitted or entered. These gaps can lead to misunderstandings or slow down processes like delivery coordination or customs clearance. Ensuring EDI fields are complete and validated before transmissions helps prevent disruptions.
Location Inaccuracies
A simple typo or outdated location code can cause tracking errors or delay cargo handling. To avoid this, many companies use standardized code lists — like UN/LOCODEs — and maintain shared location references across their supply chain systems.
Talk to an EDI Expert
Ready to make ocean freight tracking less of a guessing game? Whether you’re new to EDI or looking to fine-tune your setup, a modern, cloud-based EDI solution can streamline shipping updates, improve visibility, and keep your supply chain moving smoothly — without the manual headaches.
Connect with an EDI expert to learn how a well-supported EDI platform can simplify your logistics operations.
Need help understanding specific EDI documents? Explore LearnEDI’s library of EDI transaction set guides, including the EDI 310 (Freight Receipt), EDI 754 (Routing Instructions), EDI 997 (Functional Acknowledgement), and EDI 211 (Motor Carrier Bill of Lading). Each guide explains the document's purpose, how it fits into your workflow, and how to maximize its use.