Maersk (A.P. Møller-Mærsk) is the world's largest container shipping company, operating over 700 vessels and carrying approximately 17% of global container trade. If you are importing or exporting sea freight, there is a strong chance your cargo is moving on a Maersk ship. This guide covers every way to track a Maersk shipment and what each status event means.
Maersk Container Number Format
Maersk uses several owner codes for its container fleet. The most common are MSKU (standard Maersk containers), MRKU (refrigerated/reefer containers), MAEU (Maersk Line containers), and TRHU (Triton containers leased by Maersk). All follow the ISO 6346 format: 4 letters followed by 7 digits (e.g. MSKU1234567). If your container number starts with any of these codes, it is a Maersk vessel.
Three Ways to Track a Maersk Shipment
Container number: enter MSKU/MRKU/MAEU + 7 digits — the most precise way to track a specific box. Bill of lading number: the legal document number issued after the vessel departs — typically 9 digits for Maersk. Booking reference: the reservation number — useful before departure to confirm the sailing schedule. All three work on Trackora's sea freight tracker.
How to Track Maersk on Trackora
Select Sea Freight on Trackora and enter your reference. Maersk is one of the few shipping lines that provides a public tracking API, so for container numbers, Trackora can often retrieve the full event timeline directly without needing to redirect you. For B/L and booking references, Trackora generates a pre-filled link to Maersk's official tracking portal at maersk.com — the most accurate and up-to-date data source.
Maersk Tracking Events Explained
"Booking confirmed" — Maersk has reserved space on a vessel for your cargo. "Gate in" — your container entered the origin terminal. "Vessel arrival at loading port" — the ship arrived at the port where your cargo will be loaded. "Loaded on board" — your container was physically lifted onto the vessel. "Vessel departure" — the ship left the origin port. "Transshipment" — container moved between vessels (common at hub ports like Singapore, Port Klang, Algeciras). "Vessel arrival at discharge port" — the ship arrived at the destination. "Discharged" — your container came off the vessel. "Available for pickup" — cleared customs and ready for collection.
What Is the Maersk Spot Product?
Maersk Spot is Maersk's instant online booking product — you get a confirmed price and space guarantee in real time, rather than negotiating rates with a freight forwarder. It is aimed at small and medium shippers. Shipments booked via Maersk Spot use the same container numbers and B/L tracking as traditional Maersk bookings.
Maersk Trade Lanes and Transit Times
Key Maersk routes: Asia to North Europe via Suez (approximately 28–32 days), Asia to US West Coast (14–18 days), Asia to US East Coast via Panama (28–35 days), intra-Asia (5–14 days). Maersk also operates short-sea and feeder routes in Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Exact transit times depend on the specific service string and number of port calls.