MSC container tracking

MEDU container and bill of lading tracking

MEDU appears in Terminal49's MSC dataset as an alternate code and container prefix. MSC's official 2018 customer advisory specifically documents MEDU as its newer bill-of-lading prefix, introduced alongside the traditional MSCU bill prefix. That distinction matters: use the identifier exactly as issued instead of replacing MEDU with MSCU. For U.S. AMS filings, MSC instructs NVOCCs to submit the same master bill prefix that MSC transmitted so the customs record matches.

When MEDU is printed on an equipment number, enter all four letters, the serial, and the check digit. When it starts a bill of lading, enter the complete document number rather than treating it as an equipment number. Terminal49 accepts container, bill of lading, and booking identifiers and resolves all three to MSC's feed.

MEDU tracking is MSC tracking, not another carrier

MSC's advisory is explicit: even after the MEDU bill-of-lading prefix was introduced, MSC's carrier identification code remained MSCU. MEDU does not name a separate shipping line and does not need a competing carrier page. A TMS, customs entry, or arrival notice may show MEDU while the carrier is still Mediterranean Shipping Company. Track that MEDU document on this page, preserve its original prefix in filings and support requests, and use MSCU when a system asks specifically for MSC's carrier SCAC.

MSC tracking statuses in plain English

A transport milestone records movement; it does not prove that cargo is customs-cleared, released, or available for pickup. Terminal49's MSCU coverage supports 10 of 13 core milestones and 8 of 11 extended milestones, including transshipment discharge and load, feeder discharge and load, all four rail events, full out, and empty return. The table turns those events into the next operational check without claiming unsupported milestones.

MSC free time, last free day, demurrage, detention, and per diem

Free time is the allowed period before a specified charge begins. The last free day (LFD) is the final day in that period. MSC USA says importers can view the LFD on the terminal website or in myMSC for MSC detention. Teams should compare discharge, terminal availability, customs and freight release, holds, appointment access, and the applicable LFD before assigning pickup.

MSC's U.S. page distinguishes the charges instead of publishing one universal number: demurrage applies to land use inside a terminal after free time; detention applies while the carrier's full container remains inside a terminal, rail facility, or yard; per diem applies to use of the carrier's full or empty container outside those facilities; and storage applies to land use inside a rail ramp or yard. The governing tariff, service contract, location, equipment, and dates determine the actual allowance and charge, so this page does not reproduce generic daily rates.

MSC USA states that its detention and per-diem charges accrue only on working days when the terminal is open and operating, while terminal demurrage may be passed through at cost under the terminal operator's published tariff. Check the current MSC USA local information and tariff files plus the arrival notice or contract before relying on a deadline.

What to do when an MSC container has a hold

Identify who controls the hold before escalating. Importers and their brokers or freight forwarders are responsible for required U.S. customs filings. A customs or government examination must be handled with the broker and agency; a carrier hold can require freight payment or document release; and a terminal hold can involve local fees, appointments, or operating requirements. Do not dispatch from a vessel-discharge event alone.

Give MSC, the broker, terminal, and drayage provider the same MSC bill number, container number, terminal, hold owner, and LFD. MSC's U.S. dispute procedure asks for the MSC bill of lading, container number, and a complete explanation for demurrage and import detention disputes. Appointment-related disputes need time-stamped screenshots for each relevant day; government-hold disputes need a statement showing the hold was not caused by the shipper or another bill-of-lading party.

MSC says disputes must be submitted within 30 days of the invoice date and that it will provide feedback within seven business days. Review the current MSC USA dispute procedure for the exact submission path and evidence requirements.

Verified U.S. terminals used by MSC

MSC's official U.S. local information identifies the facilities below among the terminals it uses. Each card shows the facility's CBP FIRMS code and links only to an existing Terminal49 terminal page verified to return HTTP 200. Assignments can change by service, vessel, and booking, so confirm the current facility on the arrival notice before scheduling pickup.

• Seagirt Marine Terminal, BaltimoreC324
• North Charleston Terminal, CharlestonL391
• APM Terminals Pier 400, Los AngelesW185
• International Transportation Service, Long BeachY309
• Port Newark Container Terminal, New York / New JerseyF577
• Virginia International Gateway, NorfolkN195
• Garden City Terminal, SavannahL737
• Husky Terminal, TacomaZ693

MSC tracking for cargo owners, forwarders, and 3PLs

Cargo owners need a clear answer to “what changed and what must happen next.” Forwarders and 3PLs need the same answer across many customers and systems. Terminal49 keeps both audiences on one MSC page and one normalized timeline instead of creating buyer-specific URLs.

For operations teams, useful exceptions include an ETA change, a transshipment discharge without a following load, feeder movement that changes the connection, rail arrival without a pickup plan, or discharge while LFD approaches. Keep carrier transport milestones separate from terminal availability and release facts so each alert identifies the party that can act.

Official MSC tracking and schedule resources

Use MSC's current source pages for carrier-side tracking, route planning, and local rules. Terminal49 keeps the shipment timeline current; MSC remains the authority for the booking, contract, tariff, and local agency instructions.

• MSC Track a Shipment↗
• MSC schedules↗
• MSC local information↗
• MSC USA detention and demurrage↗

Track other ocean carriers

Compare the same identifier, official-resource, and coverage information when cargo moves with another line. ZIM and Yang Ming link to their rebuilt carrier-specific pages; the other pills point to live pages in the shared shipping-lines directory.

• ZIM container tracking
• Yang Ming container tracking
• Maersk container tracking
• CMA CGM container tracking
• Hapag-Lloyd container tracking