一、Container number: The container numbers of different shipping companies have their specific rules and formats, but they usually contain some common elements. The following are the characteristics of container numbers under normal circumstances：

1、Components of the numbering

The first part consists of 4 English letters. The first three letters "MSC" are the owner code. By checking the figure, the owner corresponding to "MSC" is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The fourth code "U" represents the container type, where the letter "U" indicates a general-purpose container. Shipping company code: Usually composed of several letters, representing a specific shipping company. For example, the code for Maersk is "MSK", and the code for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is "MSC", etc. Container type code: Letters are used to indicate the type of container. For instance, "U" stands for general dry cargo container, "R" stands for refrigerated container, etc.      

The second part consists of 6 Arabic numerals, which is the container registration code and serves as the unique identifier for each container. Serial number: composed of numbers, it is the unique identification number of the container and is used to distinguish different containers. 

The third part is the check digit, which is generally enclosed in a box to distinguish it from the container registration code. It is the basis for verifying the accuracy of the owner code and serial number records, and is obtained through the check rule calculation based on the first 4 letters and 6 digits. Check digit: usually a number or letter, used to verify the accuracy of the container number.。

2、Give examples to illustrate

3、How to identify the shipping company through the container number

The following are the general formats of the container numbers of the top 20 common shipping companies:

 Maersk: Usually starts with "MSKU", "MAEU", etc., followed by a sequence of numbers.

 MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company): For example, starts with "MSCU", "MEDU", etc., followed by numbers. 

COSCO Shipping: May start with "COSU", "CBHU", etc., followed by numbers.

 CMA CGM: Starts with "CMAU", "CGMU", etc., followed by numbers.

 Hapag-Lloyd: "HLXU", "HLCU", etc., followed by numbers.

 Evergreen Marine: A combination of starting with "EISU", "EGHU", etc., and numbers.

 Yang Ming Marine Transport (YML): "YMLU", "YMNU", etc., followed by numbers. 

HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine): Starts with "HDMU", "HMMU", etc., followed by a sequence of numbers.

 ZIM: "ZIMU", "ZCSU", etc., followed by numbers.

 PIL (Pacific International Lines): Starts with "PCIU", "PILU", etc., paired with numbers.

 WHL (Wan Hai Lines): "WHLU", "WHLU", etc., followed by numbers.

 OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line): "OOLU", "OCLU", etc., followed by numbers. 

Hamburg Süd: Starts with "HAMU", "HBSU", etc., followed by numbers.

 K Line (Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen): "KKLU", "KMTU", etc., followed by numbers. 

NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha): "NYKU", "NCLU", etc., followed by numbers. 

UASC (United Arab Shipping Company): "UASU", etc., followed by numbers. 

KMTC (Korea Marine Transport Co., Ltd.): "KMTCU", etc., followed by numbers.

 TS Lines: "TSLU", etc., followed by numbers.

RCL (Regional Container Lines): "RCLU", etc., followed by numbers.

 SITC (SITC International Holdings): "SITU", etc., followed by numbers.

2"M.G.W." stands for Maximum Gross Weight. KGS refers to kilograms, and LBS refers to pounds, a unit in the imperial system. It indicates that the sum of the container's own weight and the weight of the cargo it can carry must not exceed this specified amount; otherwise, the container will not be allowed into the port or loaded onto a ship.

  3.  TARE represents the weight of the container itself, that is, the container's own weight is "3740 KGS / 8250 LBS".

  4.  NET indicates the weight of the cargo that can be loaded, meaning the maximum weight of the cargo that can be loaded must not exceed "26740 KGS / 58950 LBS".

  5.  CU. CAP. stands for the container's capacity at the port. "CU.M" refers to cubic meters, and "CU.FT" refers to cubic feet. That is, the container has a volume of 67.7 cubic meters or 2390 cubic feet.

  6.  Container height mark: A height mark for containers with a height exceeding 2.6 meters (according to UIC regulations, containers with a height exceeding 2438mm need to be affixed with a height mark).  

7.  Size and type code (container type code), such as: 40HQ refers to a 40-foot high cube container.  8.  Container inspection authority emblem: The International Convention for Safe Containers stipulates that newly manufactured containers must meet technical standards and be issued a Customs Conventions on Containers (CCC) plate by a contracting state before they can use customs seals when transporting goods internationally and enjoy temporary import treatment, exempt from customs duties or deposits. The International Convention for Safe Containers also puts forward specific requirements for the maintenance and inspection of containers, including the responsibilities of the container owner, the safety status of the container, and the frequency of regular inspections. A new container must not be used for more than five years from the date of production to the date of its initial inspection, and the interval between subsequent inspections and re-inspections must not exceed 30 months. All containers must be accompanied by a CSC plate as an inspection record.