Container number check and tracking
Type a container number to check that it is valid, see who owns the prefix and jump to that shipping line's official tracking page.
Shipping lines and their tracking pages
| Shipping line | Container prefixes | Official tracking |
|---|---|---|
| MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) | MSCU, MEDU | Open → |
| Maersk (incl. Sealand, Hamburg Sud) | MAEU, MSKU, MRKU, SEAU, SUDU | Open → |
| CMA CGM (incl. APL, ANL, CNC) | CMAU, CGMU, APHU, APZU, ANNU, CNCU | Open → |
| COSCO Shipping Lines | COSU, CBHU, CSNU, CCLU, CSLU | Open → |
| OOCL | OOLU, OOCU | Open → |
| Hapag-Lloyd (incl. UASC) | HLCU, HLXU, UACU, UASU | Open → |
| ONE (Ocean Network Express) | ONEU, NYKU, MOLU, KKFU | Open → |
| Evergreen Line | EGHU, EMCU, EISU | Open → |
| HMM | HDMU, HMMU | Open → |
| Yang Ming | YMLU, YMMU | Open → |
| ZIM | ZIMU, ZCSU | Open → |
| Wan Hai Lines | WHLU, WHSU | Open → |
| PIL (Pacific International Lines) | PCIU | Open → |
| KMTC (Korea Marine Transport Co.) | KMTU | Open → |
| SITC | SITU | Open → |
| X-Press Feeders | XPFU | Open → |
| TS Lines | TSLU | Open → |
| Sinokor Merchant Marine | SKLU | Open → |
| Matson | MATU | Open → |
| Emirates Shipping Line | ESPU | Open → |
| RCL (Regional Container Lines) | REGU | Open → |
| Seaboard Marine | SMLU | Open → |
| Crowley | CMCU | Open → |
Container leasing companies
| Leasing company | Container prefixes |
|---|---|
| Triton International | TCLU, TRHU, TCNU, TTNU, TOLU |
| Textainer | TEMU, TGHU, SEGU |
| CAI International, Inc. | CAIU, BEAU, BMOU |
| SeaCo | GESU |
| Florens Container Services | FCIU, FBIU, FSCU |
| Cronos Containers Ltd | CRXU |
Triplicate does not track containers itself: it checks the number and sends you to the shipping line's own tracking page, which shows the live status. Prefixes were checked against the BIC owner-code registry in September 2026; lines also use leased containers.
How a container number works
A container number (ISO 6346) has 11 characters: a 3-letter owner code, an equipment category letter (U for freight containers), a 6-digit serial number and a check digit. The check digit catches most typing mistakes, so check it before you book or send documents.
How to track a shipment
Shipping lines let you track by container number, bill of lading number or booking number on their own websites. The container number is on the container doors, the packing list and the bill of lading; the bill of lading number is on the B/L your forwarder sends you.
If tracking shows nothing
Status usually appears once the empty container is picked up or the full one enters the terminal. If nothing shows, check the number for typos, make sure you are on the right line's site (leased containers can be on any line), try the bill of lading number, or ask your forwarder.
Common questions
What does the U in MSCU mean?
The fourth letter is the equipment category: U means a freight container, J detachable freight container equipment and Z a trailer or chassis. The first three letters are the owner code, here MSC.
Can I track a container without the bill of lading?
Yes, most shipping lines let you search by container number alone. You need to know which line carries it: the prefix tells you the owner, but a leased container can be on any line.
How is the check digit calculated?
Each letter gets a number value (A = 10, skipping multiples of 11) and each digit keeps its value. Each value is multiplied by 2 to the power of its position (1, 2, 4 … 512), the results are added, and the remainder of the total divided by 11 is the check digit (a remainder of 10 becomes 0).
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