Manage MSC Shipments from your Existing System Using
our API and EDI Solutions
Streamline your shipments through direct integrations - discover MSC’s full range of services and solutions that can be integrated with your system via APIs and EDIs.
MSC Direct Integrations deliver digital exchange of shipping data and improve businesses efficiency. It helps mitigate the risk of error and reduces the need for repetitive manual data entry and duplication of effort. Available MSC’s API (Application Programming Interface) and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) solutions provide a secure connection between our system and yours. You can manage your MSC shipments (making the booking and managing ongoing shipments) directly from your existing supply chain management system*.
*Fees may apply
API or EDI: What’s the difference?
Both types of interfaces enable digitalisation and interoperability, the choice between them will depend on your goals and needs.
EDI
EDIs enable large amounts of information to be exchanged as data files via secure protocols, such as SFTP and AS2. It is a popular method for managing file transfers in the shipping industry. MSC EDIs are fully secure, supported and compliant with EDI standards.
API
APIs support data exchanges of live information in near real-time. They are faster, easier to implement and more flexible. As a result, they can be applied in many complex cases.
Find out More About our Direct Integration Solutions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the MSC direct integration process.
How long does it take to set up a direct integration?
As a general rule, API connections are quicker to set up than EDI-based solutions. Whichever type of integration you select, we will work with you to define a timeline for connection.
Do you provide any support during and after the connection setup?
MSC provides 24/7 support for the direct integrations we offer to our partners and customers.
Is there a cost for integrating directly with MSC?
Depending on your requirements, setup and maintenance fees may apply. Further details will be provided by our teams as part of the onboarding process. Please contact us via the Direct Integration Request Form.
How can I get access to the API/EDI test data?
Test data is one of the steps in our direct integration onboarding process. You will be able to access our API definitions and MSC EDI implementation guidelines as part of our sandbox environment. This is currently in the process of development, so stay tuned for further developments!
Can I customise the solutions?
Our solutions are designed to address your needs while complying with the standardisation best practices. As such, we do not recommend customised or non-standardised integrations.
What does the MSC Track and Trace API do?
MSC’s Track and Trace API enables customers to automatically connect to their track and trace information via a technical gateway. The API is designed according to DCSA standards.
How do I get connected to the API?
Please submit the required information via the Direct Integration Request Form. Once received, MSC team will contact you to start the onboarding process (fees may apply).
What if I’m using the older RSS Feed?
Please indicate that you’re a current RSS Feed (web services) customer when submitting the Direct Integration Request Form, including the URL you use to access the information. This will help us to migrate the technical component for your new API connection.
Why can’t I find messages from my local office in the MSC catalogue?
The messages shown in the MSC catalogue are provided at the global level. The MSC API and EDI solutions share information on all shipments, from different locations following the same message standards and harmonised process. Messages, that are managed locally, are not included in this process yet.
Discover our Full Range of Solutions!
Discover the MSC services that can be integrated into your system via APIs or EDIs.
Track and Trace
EDIFACT IFTSTA
X12 315
API DCSA T&T v2.2
Commercial Vessel Schedules
EDIFACT IFTSAI
X12 323
API
DCSA Commercial
Schedules 1.0
Booking Request
EDIFACT IFTMBF
X12 300
API
DCSA Booking 2.0 - Available as of early September 2025
Booking Confirmation
EDIFACT IFTMBC
X12 301
API
DCSA Booking 2.0 - Available as of early September 2025
Shipping Instructions
EDIFACT IFTMIN
API DCSA BL 3.0 - Available as of early November 2025
Verified Gross Mass
EDIFACT VERMAS
Bill of Lading Data
EDIFACT IFTMCS
API
DCSA BL 3.0 - Available as of early November
Contract Rates & Spot Rates
API MSC Contract Rates (pilot)
Developer Portal
is There for you
MSC Developer Portal is created to support you in getting connected to MSC Direct Integration solutions.
You will find there all relevant information about our API definitions and EDI implementation guidelines.
Play with the API data and get familiar with our EDI standards by clicking the link below.
We will be glad to start a direct integration journey with you.
Developer Portal
is There for you
MSC Developer Portal is created to support you in getting connected to MSC Direct Integration solutions.
You will find there all relevant information about our API definitions and EDI implementation guidelines.
Play with the API data and get familiar with our EDI standards by clicking the link below.
We will be glad to start a direct integration journey with you.
Designed to Make a Difference
All our direct integration solutions are designed to be compliant with industry standards, but that’s not all. Whether EDI or API, each technology exists to meet a real-life customer need.
In collaboration with our customers and partners, we design and tailor our technology solutions. This includes developing direct integration solutions for INTTRA, InforNexus and CargoSmart.
Designed to Make a Difference
All our direct integration solutions are designed to be compliant with industry standards, but that’s not all. Whether EDI or API, each technology exists to meet a real-life customer need.
In collaboration with our customers and partners, we design and tailor our technology solutions. This includes developing direct integration solutions for INTTRA, InforNexus and CargoSmart.
Onboarding is Easy!
Whichever direct integration solution you select, MSC will make the onboarding process as quick and simple as possible.
Compliant With Industry Best Practices
As a supporter of the main standardization groups within the shipping industry, our Digital Solutions are compliant with the most relevant data standards increasing interoperability, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
Find out more about the standards we follow at MSC:
Founded in April 2019, the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has been created to simplify and leverage collaboration in the shipping industry by promoting the adoption of harmonized and understandable standards for data and processes. As a founding member of the DCSA, MSC plays an important role in creating and adopting DCSA standards and definitions, including our Track and Trace API.
Maintained by UN/CEFACT (United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business) EDIFact is one of the most traditional standards in the shipping industry. EDIFact provides message layouts, codification lists, and general best practices followed by MSC for more than 20 years. EDIFact is used for the majority of MSC’s data exchange processes.
Chartered by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) the X12 standards are part of the most reliable and known EDI formats in the shipping industry. X12 has been broadly implemented at MSC in our data exchange processes.
Formed by carriers, terminal operators, port authorities and IT companies, SMDG leverages standardization across the maritime industry. It promotes the adoption of existing EDI messages by harmonizing the information carried on these messages. MSC follows SMDG recommendations and codifications, including the TCL (Terminal Code List).
BIC organization promotes safety, security, standardization, and efficiency within the container-shipping industry. MSC follows the consolidated standard for the identification of container owner prefixes and other key codifications besides supporting s the BFC (BIC Facility Codes) as the main set of codes for the identification of Depots in our data exchanges.
Connection partners
At MSC, we see the future as something to build together. We have a partnership with multi-carrier platforms allowing our customers to be connected and exchange information with MSC. Below you can find some of them:
