The Cargo tracking Note System

- The Features

The Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) also called Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) is an official marine document that contains information relating to the cargo and movement between ports.

the most basic informations it carries relates to :

• Quantity of goods ;
• Description of goods
• Packaging i.e. whether containerized, conventional, vehicles bulk patch or a combination ;
• Carrier and vessel
• ports of loading and discharge etc.

Origin and legal Status

The CTN system came into being out of the desire to :

• Have credible information on cargoes from the factory to the loading port and its transition to the berthing port ;
• Ensure security of life at sea to transported cargo and the vessel ; and
• to protect ports infrastructure

Consequently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), came up with the Security Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention which Coded the conditions under which marine cargo should be transported to address the foregoing concerns. The ISPS Code is also tailored to meet these challenges. All countries which are signatories to the IMO are expected to comply with the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code. Nigeria has been a member of IMO since 1962