Container tracking toolContainer tracking, starting with the number.
Container tracking starts with the right number. This free tool from Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai, checks your container number against the ISO 6346 check digit, finds the shipping line from the 4-letter prefix, and links you to that line's official tracking page. It also explains what each tracking status means, from gate in at Jebel Ali to discharge.
Check a container number
Type the number from your bill of lading or booking. We check it and point you to the right line.
Tracking data comes from the shipping line. This tool does not store what you type.
How a container number is built
Every container number follows ISO 6346: 11 characters in four parts.
| Part | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Owner code | MSC | Three letters registered to the owner with BIC |
| Category | U | U for freight containers, J for detachable equipment, Z for trailers |
| Serial number | 123456 | Six digits chosen by the owner |
| Check digit | 6 | Calculated from the first ten characters to catch typing errors |
Prefixes and official tracking pages
Common owner prefixes for the largest container lines. Leased containers carry the leasing company's prefix instead.
| Shipping line | Common prefixes | Track |
|---|---|---|
| MSC | MSCU, MEDU | MSC tracking page |
| Maersk | MAEU, MSKU, MRKU, MRSU | Maersk tracking page |
| CMA CGM | CMAU, CGMU, ECMU | CMA CGM tracking page |
| COSCO Shipping | CSNU, CBHU, CCLU | COSCO Shipping tracking page |
| Hapag-Lloyd | HLCU, HLXU, HAMU | Hapag-Lloyd tracking page |
| ONE (Ocean Network Express) | ONEU, NYKU, MOLU, KKFU | ONE (Ocean Network Express) tracking page |
| Evergreen | EGHU, EISU, EMCU | Evergreen tracking page |
| HMM | HDMU | HMM tracking page |
| Yang Ming | YMLU, YMMU | Yang Ming tracking page |
| ZIM | ZIMU, ZCSU | ZIM tracking page |
| OOCL | OOLU, OOCU | OOCL tracking page |
| Wan Hai | WHLU, WHSU | Wan Hai tracking page |
What tracking statuses mean
Lines use slightly different words, but most follow these steps.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Empty to shipper | Empty container released for loading |
| Gate in | Full container delivered into the origin terminal |
| Loaded on vessel | On board; the voyage has started |
| Transshipment | Moved to another vessel at a hub port |
| Discharged | Unloaded at the destination port |
| Gate out | Full container collected after release |
| Empty return | Empty container returned to the line |
Container tracking questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsAsk about my containerIt has eleven characters in four parts. Three letters show the owner, a fourth letter shows the category, usually U for freight containers, six digits form the serial number, and the last digit is a check digit. The format is set by ISO 6346 and the codes are registered with BIC.
- Example: MSCU 123456 6.
- Leased boxes use the lessor's code.
It is calculated from the first ten characters. Each letter gets a value from 10 upwards, skipping multiples of 11, and digits keep their value. Each value is multiplied by 2 to the power of its position, the results are added, and the total is divided by 11. The remainder is the check digit.
- A remainder of 10 gives 0.
- Our tool does this for you.
The container may be leased. Shipping lines lease many containers from leasing companies, and those boxes keep the lessor's prefix, such as TGHU or TCNU. Track the container on the website of the line that issued your bill of lading, using the container or B/L number.
- The B/L shows the carrier.
- Forwarders can track for you.
Gate in means the full container entered the terminal. At origin, it shows the container was delivered to the port, such as Jebel Ali, before loading. The next step is usually loaded on vessel. At destination, gate out means the container left the terminal after customs and line release.
- Gate in is before the cut-off.
- Missing the cut-off rolls the box.