ETA First Ever is the first estimate Dockflow records at booking. ETA Confirmed is the updated arrival time after the vessel has departed.
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ETA First Ever is a preliminary forecast. It reflects the carrier’s intended schedule and commercial planning, not actual conditions. It stays fixed. If the vessel leaves late or is delayed, ETA First Ever does not change.
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ETA Confirmed appears only after vessel departure. It is based on real-time vessel data and is more reliable. It updates as the vessel progresses, so it can reflect a late departure or post-departure changes.
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Use ETA First Ever to compare the original plan with actual performance. Use ETA Confirmed for post-departure expectations. For the most current prediction, use ETA (latest), because ETA Confirmed does not adjust for delays after departure.
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If shipment references arrive after departure, ETA First Ever may not match the original booking estimate. The first known ETA was already post-departure.
Example
A shipment is booked with ETA First Ever on 15 January. The vessel leaves three days late. ETA First Ever still shows 15 January. ETA Confirmed shows 18 January. If the vessel then slows after departure, ETA Confirmed may not change, so ETA (latest) is the field to check.