What is MarineTraffic?
MarineTraffic is a vessel tracking website and app that shows the positions and movements of ships on a live map, along with port traffic and voyage information. It is based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which ships use to broadcast data such as position, speed, course and status, static details such as name, IMO and MMSI numbers and dimensions, and voyage details such as destination, ETA and draught. AIS-receiving stations in the MarineTraffic network pick up these broadcasts and share them with a central database.
The service grew out of a community-driven project based on academic research, and station owners can still contribute to its AIS network. Coverage is mainly along the coastlines of most countries, since a station only receives ships within range. Free near real-time information is available on the live map, and accounts add features such as custom areas and notifications, while paid plans, corporate accounts and APIs serve professional users.
Main Features
- Live map with current positions and tracks of vessels
- Vessel details such as name, IMO and MMSI numbers and dimensions
- Voyage information including destination, ETA and draught
- Position history and port statistics pages
- Custom areas of interest shown on the live map
- Notifications for vessels, fleets, ports and areas
- Mobile app and APIs
- Community AIS station network that owners can join
How to Get Started with MarineTraffic
- Open marinetraffic.com or install the mobile app.
- Search for a vessel by name or number, or browse the live map around a port or area.
- Open a vessel's page to see its latest position, voyage details and history.
- Create an account to set custom areas and notifications, and start a 7-day trial if you need a paid plan.
MarineTraffic Pricing
Basic vessel tracking on the live map is free. MarineTraffic sells paid plans, listed on its Plans and Pricing page, and many can be tried free for 7 days (one trial per plan), with billing starting after the trial unless you cancel. Corporate accounts and APIs are also available. Current prices are shown on that Plans and Pricing page.
Who Should Use It?
- Shipping, logistics and port professionals following vessels and cargo
- Journalists and researchers investigating maritime incidents or trade routes
- Ship spotters and maritime enthusiasts
- Analysts studying port traffic and shipping patterns
- Families and friends following a ship's voyage
MarineTraffic Alternatives
- ADS-B Exchange: a community-fed flight tracking network for aircraft rather than ships.
- Flightradar24: a live flight tracking website and app.
- Bellingcat Toolkit: a free catalogue of research tools with a Transport section covering ship and flight trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MarineTraffic free?
Partly. You can view near real-time vessel positions on the live map for free. Extra features come with paid plans, many of which offer a 7-day free trial.
Where does MarineTraffic get its data?
From AIS, the system ships use to broadcast their position and details. A network of AIS-receiving stations picks up these signals and sends them to MarineTraffic's central database, so coverage depends on stations being within range.
Is MarineTraffic data always accurate?
Not always. AIS data comes from the ships themselves and from receivers in range, so it can be missing, delayed or wrong, and MarineTraffic publishes help articles on data quality and on AIS and GNSS spoofing. For research and reporting, confirm important positions with other sources.