# Maersk API

> Maersk returns container tracking, shipment milestones and vessel details as a workflow and API.

Maersk, also known as A.P. Moller–Maersk, returns container milestones, vessel details and estimated arrivals through Track container. Track container needs a container number, bill of lading number or booking number and returns shipment locations and container status.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/maersk
- Handle: `@maersk`
- Category: [Logistics](https://fous.com/workflows/category/logistics)
- Source website: https://maersk.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with Maersk.

## Methods

### Track container

Operation `track_container`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Track a Maersk ocean container or shipment by container, bill of lading or booking number. Returns publicly available container milestones, vessel details and estimated arrival; times are shown in the local time of each location when its time zone can be identified.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `reference` | string | yes | `"MSKU0235187"` | Container number, bill of lading number or booking number, for example MSKU0235187 or 276211578. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "reference"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "reference": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Container number, bill of lading number or booking number, for example MSKU0235187 or 276211578.",
      "examples": [
        "MSKU0235187",
        "276211578"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "reference": "MSKU0235187"
    },
    {
      "reference": "276211578"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `origin` | object |  |  |
| `origin.city` | string or null | `"Newark"` |  |
| `origin.country` | string or null | `"United States"` |  |
| `reference` | string | `"MSKU0235187"` |  |
| `containers` | array |  |  |
| `containers[].events` | array |  |  |
| `containers[].voyage` | string or null | `"639E"` |  |
| `containers[].vessel_name` | string or null | `"VANCOUVER STAR"` |  |
| `containers[].size_and_type` | string or null | `"40 ft high cube dry"` |  |
| `containers[].tracking_link` | string | `"https://www.maersk.com/tracking/MSKU0235187"` |  |
| `containers[].current_status` | string or null | `"Vessel departure"` |  |
| `containers[].last_known_time` | string or null | `"2026-09-23T11:27:00-04:00"` |  |
| `containers[].container_number` | string or null | `"MSKU0235187"` |  |
| `containers[].estimated_arrival` | string or null | `"2026-10-30T16:00:00+04:00"` |  |
| `containers[].last_known_location` | string or null | `"Newark, United States"` |  |
| `tracking_link` | string | `"https://www.maersk.com/tracking/MSKU0235187"` |  |
| `final_destination` | object |  |  |
| `final_destination.city` | string or null | `"Poti"` |  |
| `final_destination.country` | string or null | `"Georgia"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "reference": "MSKU0235187"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "origin": {
    "city": "Newark",
    "country": "United States"
  },
  "reference": "MSKU0235187",
  "containers": [
    {
      "events": [
        {
          "event": "Gate out empty",
          "vessel": null,
          "location": "Newark, United States",
          "date_time": "2026-09-17T10:21:00-04:00"
        },
        {
          "event": "Gate in",
          "vessel": null,
          "location": "Newark, United States",
          "date_time": "2026-09-17T12:28:00-04:00"
        },
        {
          "event": "Loaded on vessel",
          "vessel": "VANCOUVER STAR",
          "location": "Newark, United States",
          "date_time": "2026-09-23T01:23:00-04:00"
        }
      ],
      "voyage": "639E",
      "vessel_name": "VANCOUVER STAR",
      "size_and_type": "40 ft high cube dry",
      "tracking_link": "https://www.maersk.com/tracking/MSKU0235187",
      "current_status": "Vessel departure",
      "last_known_time": "2026-09-23T11:27:00-04:00",
      "container_number": "MSKU0235187",
      "estimated_arrival": "2026-10-30T16:00:00+04:00",
      "last_known_location": "Newark, United States"
    }
  ],
  "tracking_link": "https://www.maersk.com/tracking/MSKU0235187",
  "final_destination": {
    "city": "Poti",
    "country": "Georgia"
  }
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@maersk",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "track_container",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "reference": "MSKU0235187"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@maersk\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"track_container\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"reference\": \"MSKU0235187\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@maersk",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "track_container",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "reference": "MSKU0235187"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@maersk","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Track container progress through shipment milestones
- Check a shipment’s vessel and voyage details
- Review estimated arrival and last known location
- Monitor container status by booking or bill of lading number

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with Maersk?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Maersk. This workflow reads the public maersk.com website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Maersk account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from maersk.com when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### Where is my container now?

Track container returns the last known location and current status for a container, bill of lading or booking reference.

### When is my shipment expected to arrive?

Track container returns the estimated arrival for a supplied container, bill of lading or booking reference.

### Which vessel is carrying my shipment?

Track container returns vessel details and voyage information for a supplied shipment reference.

## Related

- [Parcels API](https://fous.com/workflows/parcels.md): Worldwide package tracking with automatic carrier detection.
- [UPS API](https://fous.com/workflows/ups.md): UPS ships and delivers packages, provides available tracking status and history, and estimates guest retail prices and delivery times, with end-of-day shown as 23:59 local time and counter prices varying.
- [VesselFinder API](https://fous.com/workflows/vesselfinder.md): Public ship positions and vessel particulars.
- [DHL API](https://fous.com/workflows/dhl.md): Track DHL shipments across its delivery services.
- [17TRACK API](https://fous.com/workflows/17track.md): Worldwide parcel tracking across multiple carriers.
- [USPS API](https://fous.com/workflows/usps.md): USPS provides latest available package tracking, standardized U.S. addresses with ZIP+4, recommended cities for five-digit ZIP Codes, and estimated domestic postage and delivery dates.
- [Freightos API](https://fous.com/workflows/freightos.md): Ocean container freight rates by global index and trade lane.
- [FedEx API](https://fous.com/workflows/fedex.md): Shipping and package tracking.
- [All Logistics workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/logistics)