Container prefix operated by A.P. Møller–Maersk
Copenhagen, Denmark · Founded 1904 · 700+ vessels · 4.6M TEU
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What This Prefix Tells You
The first four characters of any container number identify its owner. MCAU containers belong to A.P. Møller–Maersk (Maersk) — one of the world's most recognised names in global shipping and integrated logistics. These containers operate primarily on Asia–Europe, Transpacific, Transatlantic, Intra-Asia. When you're tracking a MCAU container, you're tracking cargo that moves through Maersk's fleet of 700+ vessels.
Owner
A.P. Møller–Maersk
Headquarters
Copenhagen, Denmark
Fleet Size
700+ vessels
Capacity
4.6M TEU
Founded
1904
Main Routes
Asia–Europe, Transpacific, Transatlantic, Intra-Asia
Alliance
Gemini Cooperation
Website
maersk.com
The Tracking Problem
Maersk updates their tracking system when milestones are logged — often hours or days after they occur. If your MCAU container is slow-steaming, anchored outside port, or stuck in a customs queue, the portal won't tell you until it's logged.
Maersk Portal
CargoPilot
Example MCAU Container Numbers
MCAU container numbers follow the ISO 6346 standard: four owner-code letters followed by six digits and a check digit.
Common Questions
The MCAU container prefix is the ISO 6346 owner code for A.P. Møller–Maersk (Maersk), headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. A.P. Møller–Maersk is one of the world's most recognised names in global shipping and integrated logistics. Founded in 1904, operating a fleet of 700+ vessels.
MCAU container numbers follow the ISO 6346 standard: four letters (MCAU) followed by six digits and a check digit — for example MCAU1234567 or MCAU9876543. The fourth letter is always U (freight containers), J (detachable equipment), or Z (trailers).
MCAU containers are operated by A.P. Møller–Maersk (Maersk) primarily on Asia–Europe, Transpacific, Transatlantic, Intra-Asia. The carrier is part of the Gemini Cooperation.
Stop checking Maersk's portal for status codes. CargoPilot watches the actual vessel and tells you what's changed — and what it means.
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