MarineTraffic

✅How Does MarineTraffic Work?

The MarineTraffic service makes use of AIS tracking technology to provide information about the identification, course, speed and current location of vessels. From there, locations can be overlaid onto Google Maps and, as a result, users can use the service to track the movements of ships and other vessels in real-time. Additionally, some information surrounding ship locations is self-reported from those aboard. This information is then used to provide a more accurate and up-to-date live map of vessel locations.

✅What is AIS Technology?

AIS stands for 'automatic identification system' and refers to a tracking system that is used on ships and vessels. Since 2004, it has been compulsory for all passenger ships of any size, and all international voyaging ships with a gross tonnage of 300 or more, to be fitted with an AIS transponder, which is able to transmit and receive AIS data.

✅Who Uses MarineTraffic?

An online ship-tracking service may seem like the sort of platform that would only appeal to the most dedicated ship spotters, and it may not surprise you to learn that the site's founder, Dimitris Lekkas, places himself within this category. However, in reality, the service has a much wider audience than that. In fact, in the years since its initial launch, MarineTraffic has grown into an important tool for both business and research purposes, while the platform is also used by governments, trade organisations and emergency services. Of course, it remains a valuable tool for maritime professi

✅How Do You Use MarineTraffic?

If all of this seems complicated and overly technical so far, the good news is that the actual MarineTraffic service itself is very easy to use, even for those with no technical knowledge of AIS technology whatsoever. Additionally, the core features can be accessed from a range of different platforms.