Safmarine Container Tracking
Track your Safmarine container in real time. Paste your container number below, no login needed, for live status, route and a predicted ETA.
Track your Safmarine shipment
Safmarine
SCAC: SAFM
South African line founded in 1946, absorbed into Maersk and retired as a brand by end of 2020.
Safmarine, short for the South African Marine Corporation, began in June 1946 in Cape Town, founded by South African industrialists and American ship owners who put three surplus wartime Victory ships into service. Over the following decades it grew into a specialist on north-south routes, best known for connecting Africa with Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. At its height the line was represented in more than 130 countries and employed over 1,200 seafarers.
Safmarine at a glance
- Headquarters
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Founded
- 1946
- Parent group
- Maersk
- Alliance
- None (brand discontinued 2020; absorbed into Maersk)
- Main trade lanes
- Africa-Europe, Africa-Asia, Africa-Americas, reefer exports from South Africa
- Official website
- www.safmarine.com
About Safmarine
Safmarine, short for the South African Marine Corporation, began in June 1946 in Cape Town, founded by South African industrialists and American ship owners who put three surplus wartime Victory ships into service. Over the following decades it grew into a specialist on north-south routes, best known for connecting Africa with Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. At its height the line was represented in more than 130 countries and employed over 1,200 seafarers.
The company built a particular reputation in refrigerated cargo, running reefer ships that carried temperature-controlled fruit from South Africa to the UK and continental Europe. Its container vessels, painted in a distinctive livery, were nicknamed the Big Whites. In 1996 Safmarine acquired the Belgian line CMBT and moved its registered headquarters to Antwerp, though its identity stayed rooted in African trade.
Maersk bought Safmarine in 1999 and, unusually, kept the brand alive rather than folding it in immediately. That changed in 2020, when Maersk consolidated its subsidiaries: the Safmarine and Damco brands were retired, with the Safmarine business absorbed into the main Maersk network from October 1, 2020. Safmarine no longer operates as a separate carrier, so shipments once booked under it now move under Maersk.
Safmarine container tracking FAQ
Does Safmarine still operate as a separate shipping line?
No. Maersk retired the Safmarine brand at the end of 2020, absorbing its business into the main Maersk network from October 1, 2020. Cargo once handled by Safmarine now moves under Maersk.
What does the SCAC code SAFM identify?
SAFM is the Standard Carrier Alpha Code historically assigned to Safmarine (South African Marine Corporation). It may still appear on older bills of lading and documentation even though the brand is no longer active.
Where was Safmarine founded and headquartered?
Safmarine was founded in Cape Town, South Africa, in June 1946. In 1996 it moved its registered headquarters to Antwerp, Belgium, after acquiring the Belgian line CMBT.
How do I track a Safmarine shipment?
Enter your Safmarine container number, Bill of Lading (BOL), or booking number into Panvaya's tracker. You'll get the live vessel route, milestone events, and a predictive ETA in real time, with no Safmarine account or login needed for a quick lookup.
What is Safmarine's SCAC code?
Safmarine's SCAC code is SAFM. It identifies Safmarine on bills of lading and shipping documents. On Panvaya you don't need to enter it. Just paste your container, BOL, or booking number and we detect the carrier automatically.
Can I track Safmarine containers by Bill of Lading or booking number?
Yes. Panvaya supports Safmarine tracking by container number, Bill of Lading (BOL), and booking reference (BK). Any of the three returns the same real-time route, port calls, and ETA.
Is Safmarine container tracking free on Panvaya?
Yes, you can track Safmarine shipments for free, with no login for a quick lookup. Sign in to unlock the full journey: detailed milestones, predictive ETAs, transhipment legs, and exception alerts.
Why isn't my Safmarine container updating?
Safmarine tracking reflects what the carrier and vessel feeds have reported, so there is often a lag between a real-world move and the update. Panvaya refreshes on a regular cycle; a shipment that looks stuck usually just means the next milestone (such as vessel departure or discharge) hasn't been filed yet.
How accurate is the ETA for Safmarine shipments?
Panvaya combines Safmarine's schedule with live vessel position and historical performance to predict arrival, and refines the ETA as the journey progresses and conditions change. It is a continuously updated estimate, not a guarantee.