Maersk Tracking: What Makes the World's Largest Ocean Carrier Stand Out

Maersk is more than just a household name in container shipping-it's one of the largest global carriers, with deep integration across ports, logistics, and inland networks. But even industry leaders face pressure when it comes to performance reliability.

In a year of disruption and shifting demand, Maersk emerged with strengths on the Transatlantic and South American trade routes, offering better-than-average performance in early arrivals and delay predictability. Let’s break down how Maersk performed in 2024-and how to make the most of their service with smarter container tracking.

In 2024, Vizion tracked over 13.3 million container journeys with event-level detail across major trade lanes, using data from more than 230 sources. One of the most valuable insights captured is the accuracy of carrier-provided Estimated Times of Arrival (ETAs). ETAs differ from carrier schedules in that they are the carrier's first operational information shared after a container departs origin. 

Real-time tracking shows you where shipments are. Performance data shows how consistently they arrive on time. Together, they give you the insight to avoid surprises, plan more accurately, and allocate resources with confidence. To see additional trade lane performance reports, see here.

How Did Maersk Perform in 2024?

Across multiple global trade lanes, Maersk demonstrated reliable performance, particularly in Transpacific and Transatlantic routes. Here's a breakdown of its results:

Asia to North America (Transpacific)

1. On-time arrivals: 13.7%
2. Early arrivals: 13.1%
3. Median transit time: 38.5 days
4. Typical delay when late: 8.3 days
5. Grade: D+

North America to Asia (Transpacific)

1. On-time arrivals: 10.9%
2. Early arrivals: 20.1%
3. Median transit time: 46.1 days
4. Typical delay when late: 6.8 days
5. Grade: C-

Europe to Asia

1. On-time arrivals: 11.1%
2. Early arrivals: 16.5%
3. Median transit time: 54.1 days
4. Typical delay when late: 7.2 days
5. Grade: C+

Asia to Europe

1. On-time arrivals: 11%
2. Early arrivals: 15.8%
3. Median transit time: 48.4days
4. Typical delay when late: 5.7 days
5. Grade: C+

North America to Europe (Transatlantic)

1. On-time arrivals: 13.7%
2. Early arrivals: 20.7%
3. Median transit time: 31.9 days
4. Typical delay when late: 7.7 days
5. Grade: C

Europe to North America (Transatlantic)

1. On-time arrivals: 20.1%
2. Early arrivals: 15.3%
3. Median transit time: 30.7 days
4. Typical delay when late: 9.5 days
5. Grade: D

Where Maersk Excels

While Maersk didn’t earn top-tier grades on any major trade lane in 2024, its most consistent performance came on Transatlantic routes and U.S. exports to Asia.

1. On the Europe to North America lane, Maersk posted its highest on-time arrival rate of the year at 20.1%, with a median transit time of 30.7 days.
   
2. Shipments from North America to Europe and North America to Asia also showed a higher share of early arrivals (20.7% and 20.1%, respectively), offering added flexibility for importers.

These results suggest that Maersk may be a more reliable partner on shorter or outbound U.S. routes, where transit times are tighter and variability tends to be lower.

For importers with mixed lead times, Maersk’s blend of schedule stability and global footprint still makes it a core choice-but the real value comes when tracking and performance insights are used together. Vizion simplifies container tracking by providing:

1. Unified milestone timeline
2. A single interface for multi-carrier visibility
3. Real-time status updates and ETAs
4. Bulk CSV upload and search tools
5. Web dashboard and full API integration

FAQs About Maersk Container Tracking

How do I track a Maersk container?
Use Vizion’s BoxTrack container tracking tool to track any container in real time. No login required.

Was Maersk reliable in 2024?
Yes. Maersk delivered strong early arrival and on-time rates across key lanes, earning A or B grades in several trade lanes.

What’s a good buffer to plan for when shipping with Maersk?
Based on Vizion’s 2024 data, we recommend planning for a 5 to 9 day buffer, depending on the trade lane. While median transit times provide a baseline, typical delays when late ranged from 5.7 to 9.5 days, with Transatlantic routes showing the most variability.

What is Maersk’s SCAC code?
Maersk's Standard Carrier Alpha Code is MAEU. This code is used in tracking systems and shipping documentation.

What’s the best way to track Maersk cargo?
You can use Maersk’s carrier portal, but Vizion allows you to track across all carriers in one platform-ideal for shippers managing multiple shipments at scale.

Ready for Smarter Maersk Tracking?

Don’t settle for one-off tracking tools or outdated spreadsheets. Vizion brings Maersk’s data together with other carriers to give you the visibility you need to operate smarter.

Track Maersk Now → No login required. Multi-carrier. Real-time updates.