Maersk · Controlled Vocabulary

Maersk Line Vocabulary

Domain vocabulary for Maersk container shipping and integrated logistics. Anchored in DCSA standards plus Maersk-specific extensions for offers, surcharges, and accessorial charges.

21 Terms Updated 2026-05-25
View Vocabulary File View on GitHub

Maersk Vocabulary is a controlled vocabulary published by Maersk on the APIs.io network, defining 21 terms.

Defined terms include SCAC, UN/LOCODE, ISO Equipment Code, Carrier Booking Reference, and Transport Document Reference.

A controlled vocabulary pins the words an API’s schemas, parameters and documentation use to one agreed definition each — the shared language a human or an agent needs to read the API the same way its authors do.

Terms

SCAC
Standard Carrier Alpha Code. Maersk ocean brands include MAEU (Maersk), SEAU (Sealand Maersk).
UN/LOCODE
United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations identifying ports, terminals, and inland facilities.
ISO Equipment Code
ISO 6346 code describing container size and type (e.g. 22G1 = 20ft standard general purpose).
Carrier Booking Reference
Unique identifier the carrier assigns to a confirmed ocean booking.
Transport Document Reference
Bill of lading or sea waybill number issued by the carrier.
FCL
Full Container Load — single shipper occupies the whole container.
LCL
Less than Container Load — multiple shippers share a container.
BBK
Break Bulk — non-containerized cargo such as project cargo or rolling stock.
CY
Container Yard — origin or destination service type where the container is handed over at the terminal.
SD
Store Door / Merchant Haulage — origin or destination service type where Maersk delivers door-to-door.
CFS
Container Freight Station — origin or destination service type where Maersk handles consolidation/deconsolidation.
VGM
Verified Gross Mass — SOLAS-mandated container weight declaration submitted before vessel cut-off.
Demurrage
Charge for keeping a container at the terminal beyond the free time.
Detention
Charge for keeping a container outside the terminal beyond the free time.
DCSA
Digital Container Shipping Association — non-profit setting interoperable container shipping standards. Maersk is a founding member.
eBL
Electronic Bill of Lading — digital transport document per the DCSA eBL 3.0 standard.
SOLAS
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea — IMO regulation governing container weight verification (VGM) and other safety measures.
IMO Number
Unique seven-digit IMO identifier assigned to a merchant vessel.
Service Code
Carrier-defined string code for a published port-rotation service (e.g. TA1, AE7).
Bunker Adjustment Factor
Surcharge that recovers volatility in marine fuel prices.
Terminal Handling Charge
Surcharge covering loading and unloading at the terminal.

Controlled Vocabulary

Raw ↑ 
provider: Maersk
providerId: maersk-line
created: '2026-05-25'
modified: '2026-05-25'
description: >
  Domain vocabulary for Maersk container shipping and integrated logistics.
  Anchored in DCSA standards plus Maersk-specific extensions for offers,
  surcharges, and accessorial charges.
sources:
  - https://developer.maersk.com
  - https://dcsa.org/standards
  - https://www.maersk.com/digital-services/data-integrations
terms:
  - term: SCAC
    definition: Standard Carrier Alpha Code. Maersk ocean brands include MAEU (Maersk), SEAU (Sealand Maersk).
    type: Identifier
  - term: UN/LOCODE
    definition: United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations identifying ports, terminals, and inland facilities.
    type: Identifier
  - term: ISO Equipment Code
    definition: ISO 6346 code describing container size and type (e.g. 22G1 = 20ft standard general purpose).
    type: Equipment
  - term: Carrier Booking Reference
    definition: Unique identifier the carrier assigns to a confirmed ocean booking.
    type: Identifier
  - term: Transport Document Reference
    definition: Bill of lading or sea waybill number issued by the carrier.
    type: Identifier
  - term: FCL
    definition: Full Container Load — single shipper occupies the whole container.
    type: CargoMovement
  - term: LCL
    definition: Less than Container Load — multiple shippers share a container.
    type: CargoMovement
  - term: BBK
    definition: Break Bulk — non-containerized cargo such as project cargo or rolling stock.
    type: CargoMovement
  - term: CY
    definition: Container Yard — origin or destination service type where the container is handed over at the terminal.
    type: ServiceType
  - term: SD
    definition: Store Door / Merchant Haulage — origin or destination service type where Maersk delivers door-to-door.
    type: ServiceType
  - term: CFS
    definition: Container Freight Station — origin or destination service type where Maersk handles consolidation/deconsolidation.
    type: ServiceType
  - term: VGM
    definition: Verified Gross Mass — SOLAS-mandated container weight declaration submitted before vessel cut-off.
    type: Compliance
  - term: Demurrage
    definition: Charge for keeping a container at the terminal beyond the free time.
    type: Charge
  - term: Detention
    definition: Charge for keeping a container outside the terminal beyond the free time.
    type: Charge
  - term: DCSA
    definition: Digital Container Shipping Association — non-profit setting interoperable container shipping standards. Maersk is a founding member.
    type: Standard
  - term: eBL
    definition: Electronic Bill of Lading — digital transport document per the DCSA eBL 3.0 standard.
    type: Document
  - term: SOLAS
    definition: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea — IMO regulation governing container weight verification (VGM) and other safety measures.
    type: Regulation
  - term: IMO Number
    definition: Unique seven-digit IMO identifier assigned to a merchant vessel.
    type: Identifier
  - term: Service Code
    definition: Carrier-defined string code for a published port-rotation service (e.g. TA1, AE7).
    type: Identifier
  - term: Bunker Adjustment Factor
    definition: Surcharge that recovers volatility in marine fuel prices.
    type: Charge
  - term: Terminal Handling Charge
    definition: Surcharge covering loading and unloading at the terminal.
    type: Charge