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The Easiest Way to Access Maersk Container Data via API

If you’re looking to access Maersk container data via API, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re a logistics provider, supply chain analyst, or developer building your shipping dashboard, getting real-time and reliable container tracking data is critical, and Maersk is one of the world’s biggest carriers.

But here’s the catch: Maersk doesn’t offer public, developer-friendly API access for container tracking.

The good news? You don’t need direct access from Maersk to track their containers.

How Can You Access Maersk Container Data?

From now on, you can skip going to Maersk website to track the container and check its status back and forth and maybe even you won’t be able to see all details.

With our container tracking API, you can get real-time updates on Maersk containers by simply querying the container number. The data returned includes the latest container status, port events, estimated arrival times, shipping line info, and more.

This makes it a powerful alternative to Maersk’s internal systems especially if you need flexible integration into your tools or platforms. Not only that, you can integrate the API and create alerts based on the container movements which will facilite the work for you.

What Maersk Container Data Can You Access?

JSONCargo offers a developer-friendly API that offers real-time container data across many shipping lines, including Maersk.

Instead of building a custom integration with Maersk’s system, you can retrieve container statuses with a single API call.

Here are the benefits of the process:

Track by container number or Bill of Lading: All you need is to copy paste the container ID, and the API returns the latest status, events, and location.
Different Shipping Lines: Whether it’s Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, or CMA CGM, the response format is always the same.
Detailed events: You can know where your Maersk container is, where it has been, and what’s next (e.g.”Vessel departed”, “Discharged”).

Additionally, you’ll get timestamps for the latest port events, the estimated time of arrival at the next port, confirmation that the shipping line is Maersk, and technical details like container type (e.g. 20ft, 40ft, reefer, etc.).

Example: How to Track a Maersk Container via API

To track a container handled by Maersk, you simply need to make an API request using the container number, as the example below:

				
					GET /container?container_number=MSKU1234567

Example Response:

				
					{
  "data": {
    "container_id": "MEDU9091004",
    "container_type": "40' HIGH CUBE REEFER",
    "container_status": "Empty received at CY",
    "shipping_line_name": "Mediterranean Shipping Company",
    "shipping_line_id": "0015",
    "tare": null,
    "shipped_from": "GUAYAQUIL, EC",
    "shipped_from_terminal": "NAPORTEC TERMINAL - BANANAPUERTO ",
    "shipped_to": "TRIPOLI, LY",
    "shipped_to_terminal": "SPCO ( SOCIALIST PORTS CO UNDER MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT ) ",
    "atd_origin": "2024-07-09 00:00",
    "eta_final_destination": null,
    "last_location": "TRIPOLI, LY",
    "last_location_terminal": "SPCO ( SOCIALIST PORTS CO UNDER MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT ) ",
    "next_location": null,
    "next_location_terminal": null,
    "atd_last_location": "2024-08-11 00:00",
    "eta_next_destination": null,
    "timestamp_of_last_location": "2024-08-13 00:00",
    "last_movement_timestamp": "2024-08-17 00:00",
    "loading_port": "GUAYAQUIL, EC",
    "discharging_port": "TRIPOLI, LY",
    "customs_clearance": null,
    "bill_of_lading": "MEDUGY914103",
    "last_vessel_name": "MSC LENA F",
    "last_voyage_number": "YF432A",
    "current_vessel_name": null,
    "current_voyage_number": null,
    "last_updated": "2024-09-09 18:34"
  }
}

Here’s a breakdown of the key fields returned in the API response and what each one means:

Field	Description
`container_id`	Unique ID of the container being tracked.
`container_type`	Size and type of the container (e.g. 20ft, 40ft, reefer, etc.).
`container_status`	Current status or activity of the container (e.g. loaded, empty, in transit).
`shipping_line_name`	Name of the shipping company managing the container (e.g. Maersk, MSC).
`shipping_line_id`	Internal or external identifier of the shipping line.
`tare`	The empty weight of the container (if available).
`shipped_from`	Port of origin from which the container was shipped.
`shipped_from_terminal`	Terminal at the origin port.
`shipped_to`	Final destination port.
`shipped_to_terminal`	Terminal at the destination port.
`atd_origin`	Actual time of departure from the origin port.
`eta_final_destination`	Estimated time of arrival at the destination port.
`last_location`	Last recorded port or location of the container.
`last_location_terminal`	Terminal where the container was last seen.
`next_location`	Next scheduled port or stop (if available).
`next_location_terminal`	Terminal for the next port call.
`atd_last_location`	Departure time from the last known location.
`eta_next_destination`	Estimated time of arrival at the next port.
`timestamp_of_last_location`	Time when the last location was recorded.
`last_movement_timestamp`	Timestamp of the last known movement/activity.
`loading_port`	The port where the container was loaded onto the vessel.
`discharging_port`	The port where the container will be unloaded.
`customs_clearance`	Customs clearance status (if provided).
`bill_of_lading`	Reference number for the shipment’s bill of lading.
`last_vessel_name`	Name of the last vessel that carried the container.
`last_voyage_number`	Voyage number of the last vessel.
`current_vessel_name`	Name of the vessel currently carrying the container (if applicable).
`current_voyage_number`	Voyage number of the current vessel (if applicable).
`last_updated`	Timestamp of the most recent data update.

Common Questions About Container Data via API:

1. Can I track containers from any shipping line, or only Maersk?
The API supports many major shipping lines, including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and others. You can check the shipping lines we cover.

2. How often is the container data updated?
Container tracking data is updated in near real time, depending on the source and shipping line.

3. What if I don’t know the full container number?
A full container number (e.g., MSKU1234567) is required for accurate tracking. As an alternative, you can search using the Bill of Lading.