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Difference Between ETA First Ever and ETA Confirmed

Understand the two distinct Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) metrics used in shipping logistics: ETA First Ever and ETA Confirmed.

Quick Summary​

MetricWhen ProvidedBased OnAccuracy
ETA First EverAt booking stageCommercial planningPreliminary estimate
ETA ConfirmedAfter vessel departureReal-time vessel dataMore reliable

ETA First Ever​

What is it?​

ETA First Ever represents "the initial estimated time of arrival provided at the time of booking a shipment."

Characteristics​

  • Preliminary forecast - Based on planned schedules, not actual conditions
  • Commercial planning - Reflects carrier's intended schedule
  • May differ significantly - If vessel departs late or experiences delays
  • Remains unchanged - Won't update even if the vessel is delayed

When to use it​

  • Compare original plan vs. actual performance
  • Analyze carrier schedule reliability
  • Historical reporting on initial commitments
  • Contractual reference points

Limitations​

Important

If shipment references arrive after vessel departure, the "ETA First Ever" won't match the original booking estimate since the first known ETA was already post-departure.

ETA Confirmed​

What is it?​

ETA Confirmed is "the updated time of arrival communicated after the vessel has departed."

Characteristics​

  • Real-time data - Based on actual vessel progress
  • Post-departure - Only available after the vessel leaves port
  • More reliable - Accounts for real conditions and vessel performance
  • Dynamic - Updates as vessel progresses

When to use it​

  • Plan receiving operations
  • Coordinate warehouse scheduling
  • Communicate arrival times to customers
  • Operational decision-making

Limitations​

Note

ETA Confirmed doesn't adjust for delays occurring after the vessel has departed. For the most current predictions, consult the "ETA (latest)" metric.

Key Differences Explained​

Timing​

ETA First Ever:

  • Available immediately at booking
  • Reflects planned/scheduled departure and arrival
  • Static once recorded

ETA Confirmed:

  • Only available after vessel departure
  • Reflects actual departure and in-route progress
  • Updates during voyage

Accuracy​

ETA First Ever:

  • Less accurate - Based on assumptions and plans
  • Doesn't account for:
    • Late vessel departures
    • Port congestion
    • Weather delays
    • Vessel speed changes

ETA Confirmed:

  • More precise - Based on actual data
  • Accounts for:
    • Actual departure time
    • Current vessel position
    • Real-time speed and course
    • Observed conditions

Delay Handling​

ETA First Ever:

  • Remains unchanged despite delays
  • Doesn't reflect reality if vessel is late
  • Useful for comparing plan vs. actual

ETA Confirmed:

  • Updates to reflect post-departure changes
  • More realistic arrival forecast
  • Better for operational planning

Availability​

ETA First Ever:

  • Available from the moment of booking
  • Always present in the system
  • Historical reference point

ETA Confirmed:

  • Only appears after vessel departure
  • May not be available for pre-departure bookings
  • Becomes the primary reference once available

Important Scenarios​

Scenario 1: Late Departure​

Booking: ETA First Ever = January 15 Reality: Vessel departs 3 days late Result:

  • ETA First Ever: Still shows January 15
  • ETA Confirmed: Shows January 18 (reflects 3-day delay)

Scenario 2: Post-Departure Delay​

Departure: ETA Confirmed = February 20 During voyage: Vessel slows due to weather Result:

  • ETA Confirmed: May not update (depends on carrier)
  • ETA (latest): Shows February 23 (reflects weather delay)

Scenario 3: References Arrive Late​

Booking: January 1 References received: January 5 (after departure on January 3) Result:

  • ETA First Ever: Reflects the first known ETA (from January 5)
  • May not match the original booking estimate from January 1

Which ETA Should I Use?​

For Operational Planning → Use ETA (latest)​

The "ETA (latest)" metric combines all available data:

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • AIS (Automatic Identification System) data
  • Carrier updates
  • Historical performance patterns

Best for:

  • Warehouse scheduling
  • Customer communications
  • Delivery coordination
  • Day-to-day operations

For Performance Analysis → Use ETA First Ever​

Compare original commitments against actual performance:

  • Carrier reliability metrics
  • Schedule adherence rates
  • Customer service level analysis

For Historical Reference → Use ETA Confirmed​

Document what was known at the time of departure:

  • Post-departure expectations
  • Operational decisions made
  • Historical context

Understanding ETA Changes​

Track how ETAs evolve throughout the shipment lifecycle:

Booking → ETA First Ever
    ↓
Departure → ETA Confirmed
    ↓
In Transit → ETA (updates)
    ↓
Arrival → ETA (latest/final)

Best Practices​

1. Set Up ETA Change Alerts​

Monitor significant changes to stay informed:

2. Use the Right Metric for Context​

Customer communication: "Your shipment is expected on [ETA latest] (updated hourly based on vessel position)"

Performance reporting: "Carrier promised [ETA First Ever] but delivered on [Actual Arrival] - 3 days late"

3. Document Your Definitions​

Ensure your team understands:

  • Which ETA to reference in different situations
  • How to explain differences to customers
  • When to escalate based on ETA changes

Frequently Asked Questions​

Why does ETA First Ever sometimes seem wrong?​

If shipment references arrive after departure, the "first ever" ETA recorded in the system may not match the original booking estimate.

Which ETA should I communicate to customers?​

Always use ETA (latest) for customer-facing communications. It provides the most current and accurate forecast.

How often does ETA Confirmed update?​

ETA Confirmed typically updates once after departure and may receive occasional updates during the voyage, depending on the carrier. For real-time updates, use ETA (latest).

Can ETA First Ever change?​

No, ETA First Ever is a static reference point representing the initial estimate at booking time.

  • ETA Change Automation - Get notified of significant ETA changes
  • Using the Dashboard - View all ETA metrics in your dashboard
  • Vessel Tracking - Real-time vessel position and ETA predictions (coming soon)

Need Help?​

Understanding ETA metrics is crucial for effective shipment planning and customer expectation management.

Migrated from: https://support.dockflow.com/difference-between-eta-first-ever-and-eta-confirmed Last updated: January 28, 2026