BMOU → CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) · lessor prefix
BMOU Container Prefix — CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) (Leasing)
CAI International, now owned by Mitsubishi HC Capital, leases a diversified box fleet and folded in Beacon Intermodal’s containers after the 2023 merger.
Three codes mark CAI equipment — one original and two carried over from Beacon.
BMOU is the second Beacon Intermodal code now under CAI’s roof.
4 letters + 7 digits, printed on the doors
BMOU check digit: worked example
B | M | O | U | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 24 | 26 | 32 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| ×1 | ×2 | ×4 | ×8 | ×16 | ×32 | ×64 | ×128 | ×256 | ×512 |
| 12 | 48 | 104 | 256 | 80 | 192 | 320 | 896 | 1536 | 512 |
Sum 3956 → 3956 mod 11 = 7 → check digit 7 → BMOU 565761-7
CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) prefix family
Owner vs operator: the CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) case
CAI equipment carries no tracking of its own; the operating line named in your booking holds the milestones.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the BMOU container prefix?
BMOU is registered to CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital), a container leasing company (lessor) — the BIC register lists it together with CAIU, BEAU, but the boxes sail in other lines' fleets.
Which line do I track a BMOU container with?
Not with CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) — a BMOU box is leased, so the tracking data lives with the shipping line named on your booking confirmation or bill of lading; open that line's tracker and paste the BMOU number there.
Is BMOU 5657617 a valid container number?
Yes — BMOU 565761-7 passes ISO 6346 validation: the weighted letter-and-digit sum for BMOU565761 leaves remainder 7 mod 11, giving check digit 7. The worked table for this BMOU example is on this page.
Is BMOU a shipping line prefix or a leasing company prefix?
BMOU is a leasing-company (lessor) prefix — CAI (Mitsubishi HC Capital) owns the steel box, while a shipping line operates it, which is why owner and tracker differ.