What should you do if the actual container number was different from the container number that the port advised?

From the liner point of view, you need to go physically into the port to check the actual container number that has discharged in the port.

Secondly, you could also email to the port Yard Planning Department to ask for checking physically on the actual container number. (Normally liner will receive the Shor/Over landed Container by Vessel Planning Department). For example Vessel Planning Department advised actual container number is CAXU6666661 (Overlanded) instead of CAXU6666662 (Shortlanded). Therefore you need to find out the actual container number physically.

Emails for Yard Planning Department (Westport) : vvarma@westports.com.my, yardplanning@westports.com.my
Email for CTCS (Container Terminal Control System) Planning Department (Container Planning & Operation) – ctcs@westports.com.my

For actual situation, I may find out at my gmail with the subject of “Shortlanded and Overlanded Container".

What is container short-landed and over-landed?

http://www.cnsonline.net/newsletter.asp?ID=50&issue=01/03/2005

From the website:
If a container does not actually arrive on the vessel it has been manifested for it is described as ‘shortlanded’.
If the box is still to arrive, but at a later date, the shortlanded record can be left as it is. When the box arrives on the new vessel it is described as ‘overlanded’.

Overlanded – When a container is suppose to be exported to Shanghai but the container overlanded in Chiwan.
Overlanded – If the container number is wrong, the discharging port will claim that the wrong container as shortlanded while the correct one is overlanded since it is not declared in the container list.