TCNU → Triton International · lessor prefix
TCNU Container Prefix — Triton International (Leasing)
Triton International is the world’s largest container lessor — roughly seven million TEU of boxes that it owns but never sails, renting them to nearly every major line.
Five codes mark Triton steel, and seeing one tells you who owns the box — never who is moving it.
4 letters + 7 digits, printed on the doors
TCNU check digit: worked example
T | C | N | U | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 13 | 25 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| ×1 | ×2 | ×4 | ×8 | ×16 | ×32 | ×64 | ×128 | ×256 | ×512 |
| 31 | 26 | 100 | 256 | 80 | 32 | 320 | 1024 | 2304 | 3072 |
Sum 7245 → 7245 mod 11 = 7 → check digit 7 → TCNU 515896-7
Triton International prefix family
Owner vs operator: the Triton International case
A Triton-prefixed box in your booking means the line rented it that week; Triton’s own systems hold no voyage data at all.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the TCNU container prefix?
TCNU is registered to Triton International, a container leasing company (lessor) — the BIC register lists it together with TRLU, TCLU, TCKU, but the boxes sail in other lines' fleets.
Which line do I track a TCNU container with?
Not with Triton International — a TCNU 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 TCNU number there.
Is TCNU 5158967 a valid container number?
Yes — TCNU 515896-7 passes ISO 6346 validation: the weighted letter-and-digit sum for TCNU515896 leaves remainder 7 mod 11, giving check digit 7. The worked table for this TCNU example is on this page.
Is TCNU a shipping line prefix or a leasing company prefix?
TCNU is a leasing-company (lessor) prefix — Triton International owns the steel box, while a shipping line operates it, which is why owner and tracker differ.