The Bill of Lading number, commonly shown as B/L No., is one of the most important reference numbers on a Bill of Lading. It usually appears in the upper-right section of the document, although its exact position may vary depending on the carrier’s format.
Each Bill of Lading number is generally unique to a particular shipment. It can be used to:
- Track the shipment
- Check the vessel and voyage
- Verify the container status
- Identify the issuing carrier
- Communicate with the freight forwarder or carrier
- Retrieve relevant shipping documents
One quick way to identify the carrier is to check the prefix at the beginning of the B/L number.
What Is a B/L Number Prefix?
A Bill of Lading number prefix usually consists of three or four letters. In many cases, it corresponds to the carrier’s SCAC — Standard Carrier Alpha Code. However, it may also be a carrier-specific document code, brand identifier, or equipment-owner prefix.
Therefore, the prefix can be used as a quick reference, but the carrier name shown on the Bill of Lading should always be treated as the final confirmation.
Common Bill of Lading Prefixes by Carrier
| No. | Ocean Carrier | Common Prefixes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MSC — Mediterranean Shipping Company | MSCU, MEDU |
| 2 | CMA CGM | CMDU, CMAU, CNHY |
| 3 | Maersk | MAEU, MSKU |
| 4 | ONE — Ocean Network Express | ONEY |
| 5 | Hapag-Lloyd | HLCU, HLXU |
| 6 | COSCO SHIPPING | COSU, COAU |
| 7 | ZIM Integrated Shipping Services | ZIMU |
| 8 | Evergreen Marine | EGLV, EISU |
| 9 | Yang Ming Marine Transport | YMLU |
| 10 | OOCL — Orient Overseas Container Line | OOLU |
| 11 | SITC International | SITC |
| 12 | Wan Hai Lines | WHL |
| 13 | Matson | MATS |
| 14 | HMM — Hyundai Merchant Marine | HDMU |
| 15 | KMTC — Korea Marine Transport | KMTC |
| 16 | PIL — Pacific International Lines | PCIU |
| 17 | Samudera Shipping Line | SMLU |
| 18 | RCL — Regional Container Lines | RCLU |
How to Use the Prefix
For example, if a Bill of Lading number begins with ONEY, the shipment is normally associated with Ocean Network Express.
If it begins with OOLU, it is generally issued by OOCL, while a number beginning with ZIMU is usually associated with ZIM.
After identifying the carrier, you can visit its official website and enter the complete Bill of Lading number in the tracking section to check the latest shipment information.
Depending on the carrier, you may also be able to track the shipment using:
- Container number
- Booking number
- Bill of Lading number
Important Notes
1. Do Not Rely on the Prefix Alone
Some freight forwarders issue their own House Bill of Lading. In this case, the prefix may identify the freight forwarder rather than the actual ocean carrier.
To confirm the vessel-operating carrier, check the Master Bill of Lading, booking confirmation, or carrier information shown on the document.
2. SCAC Codes and Container Prefixes Are Not Always the Same
A carrier’s SCAC code is used to identify the transportation company, while a container prefix identifies the container owner or operator.
Although these codes may appear similar, they serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable in every situation.
3. Carrier Codes May Change
Carrier mergers, acquisitions, brand changes, regional documentation systems, and internal numbering rules may affect the prefix used on a particular shipment.
Always verify the carrier name and full B/L number against the original shipping document.
4. Use the Complete B/L Number for Tracking
The prefix helps identify the carrier, but shipment tracking normally requires the complete Bill of Lading number. Make sure all letters and numbers are entered correctly without unnecessary spaces or symbols.
Conclusion
Recognizing the prefix of a Bill of Lading number is a useful way to quickly identify the likely ocean carrier and locate the correct shipment-tracking platform.
However, because House Bills of Lading, carrier-specific codes, and container prefixes may follow different formats, the prefix should only be used as an initial reference. The carrier name shown on the original Bill of Lading remains the most reliable source of confirmation.
Qingdao Vast Logistics provides professional international shipping services, including FCL and LCL ocean freight, export customs clearance, container trucking, documentation support, and shipment tracking. Our experienced team helps customers monitor their cargo and manage every stage of the international shipping process.
