Voyage Number
What is a Voyage Number?
A voyage number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific voyage of a vessel. It helps track and manage the vessel’s movements, cargo, and operations during that particular trip. The voyage number is used in shipping documents and systems to reference that specific journey, making it easier for stakeholders – such as shipping companies, port authorities, and customs officials – to manage logistics and compliance related to that voyage.
Why are Voyage Numbers Important in Global Shipping?
For global trade, voyage numbers simplify the process of tracking and updating the status of shipments, reducing the risk of errors. They also play a critical role in regulatory compliance, enabling customs authorities and port officials to verify shipping details and ensure the proper documentation.
How is a Voyage Number Assigned?
Shipping companies and vessel operators assign voyage numbers. They follow internal guidelines and ensure that each voyage number is unique. The process is often overseen by the logistics department within the shipping company, to ensure that the number is consistent and traceable.
Customs authorities and port officials use voyage numbers to check documentation. This degree of regulatory oversight ensures that shipping companies follow best practices when assigning voyage numbers. This makes it easier for all parties within the supply chain to coordinate effectively.
What is the Format of a Voyage Number?
There is no regulated voyage number, although most shipping companies follow the format below with only slight variations. Voyage numbers are a combination of alphanumeric characters that uniquely identify a specific voyage a vessel takes. While the exact format may vary by shipping company, they typically include these components:
- Prefix: a code or series of letters representing a shipping line or vessel name
- Voyage code: a sequence of letters or numbers to identify the voyage. It may include:
- Sequential number, indicating the number of voyages taken by the ship
- A code for the direction of the voyage
- Additional letters or numbers to differentiate specific journeys, such as a code to represent the port of departure
For example, a voyage number could be MAE579E, where MAE represents the Maersk shipping company, 579 is the number of journeys the ship has taken in 2024, and E indicates an eastbound voyage.
How is a Voyage Number Different from a Bill of Lading or Container Number?
| Criteria | Voyage Number | Bill of Lading | Container Number |
| Definition | A unique identifier assigned to a specific voyage undertaken by a vessel | A legal document issued by the carrier to the shipper, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the cargo | A unique serial number assigned to each shipping container |
| Format | Alphanumeric (e.g., MAE001W) – often includes shipping company code, sequential number, and voyage leg or direction code | Alphanumeric (e.g., ABCL123456789) – consists of a shipping line prefix, followed by a serial number | Alphanumeric (e.g., ABCU1234567) – composed of four letters followed by seven numbers, where the first three letters represent the container owner |
| Regulatory Requirements | Assigned by shipping companies, but not regulated by a specific international body; documentation must comply with customs regulations | Strictly regulated by international trade laws and conventions like the Hague-Visby Rules and UCP 600 for letters of credit | Governed by ISO standards, specifically ISO 6346, which defines the format and checks digits |
| Use | Used to track the journey of a vessel and its cargo from port to port | Used as a contract of carriage and receipt of goods, as well as to transfer ownership or issue claims for cargo | Used to identify, track, and monitor the movement of shipping containers through different parts of the logistics chain |
| Key Differentiators | Focuses on the journey of the vessel, not the individual cargo | Functions as a legal document that transfers title to goods and specifies terms of carriage | Linked to the physical container, regardless of its content, for tracking and handling in shipping |
| Who Issues It? | Issued by the shipping company or vessel operator | Issued by the carrier to the shipper (can be through a freight forwarder) | Issued by container leasing companies, shipping lines, or container owners |
| Who Uses It? | Shipping companies, logistics providers, port authorities, customs officials | Shippers, consignees, customs authorities, banks (for letters of credit), freight forwarders | Shipping companies, freight forwarders, port terminals, customs officials, tracking platforms |
| Validity | Valid for the specific voyage only | Valid for the specific shipment, and can be negotiable or non-negotiable | Valid for the entire lifespan of the container, used for multiple shipments |
| Example | MAE001W (Voyage 001, westbound, Maersk) | MSCU123456789 (B/L issued by MSC) | TGHU8765432 (container owned by Triton Container) |
Can a Single Ship Have Multiple Voyage Numbers?
A single ship will have multiple voyage numbers, although only one number is valid at a time. For example:
- Different routes: a ship operating on different routes between various ports will be assigned a different voyage number for each route or leg
- Multiple trips: each trip will have its own unique voyage number
- Charter agreements: a ship might be chartered for different voyages by various clients, and each chartered journey would have a distinct voyage number
