How to Track a Ship (Legally!): Ocean Surveillance for Everyday People

Whether you’re tracking a friend’s cruise, keeping tabs on a shipment, or just curious about maritime movements, you might be surprised to learn that tracking ships in real-time is easier than you think — and it’s completely legal! 🚢

With modern technology, anyone can track a ship’s journey, from port to port, using online tools, mobile apps, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Once limited to maritime professionals, these tools are now available to everyday people like you. The best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do it.

This guide will show you exactly how to track ships like a pro, break down the most popular tracking methods, and provide an in-depth table of options to choose from. No maritime degree required!

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🔍 Why Would You Want to Track a Ship?

Here are just a few reasons why tracking ships is more useful than you think:

• 📦 Track Your Shipment – Waiting on a cargo delivery? Know exactly where it is.
• 🚢 Follow a Cruise – See where your friends and family are on vacation.
• 💡 Learn About the Industry – Curious about how cargo ships crisscross the globe?
• ⚠️ Avoid Shipping Delays – Spot disruptions before they affect you.
• 🌍 Monitor Global Trade – Track the world’s most important shipping routes.

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How Ship Tracking Works

Ships are equipped with an AIS (Automatic Identification System), which sends out real-time information on the ship’s location, speed, direction, and status. This data is picked up by satellite receivers, shore-based receivers, and online tracking platforms that visualize ship movements on a global map.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide:

1. What tools and websites you can use to track ships.
2. How to track specific ship types like cargo ships, cruise ships, and tankers.
3. Pro tips to get the most out of your tracking experience.

OceanSurveillance: Top Ways to Track a Ship (Legally!)
Method	How It Works	Pros & Cons	Cost
MarineTraffic	– Uses AIS data from ship transponders to track vessels globally. – Visualizes ship movements on an interactive world map. – View ship info like name, type, speed, and route.	Pros: – Real-time tracking of thousands of ships worldwide. – User-friendly interface with ship info, photos, and route history. – Works on desktop and mobile apps. Cons: – Free version has limited ship tracking data. – Paid version required for detailed tracking history and alerts.	Free (Basic), $9.99+/month (Premium)
VesselFinder	– Collects AIS data to track ships globally, similar to MarineTraffic. – Displays ship names, types, speeds, and position on a live map. – Offers tracking filters by ship type (cruise, cargo, tanker, etc.).	Pros: – Clean, simple map design with no clutter. – Offers free tracking with minimal limitations. – Good for tracking cargo, cruise, and fishing vessels. Cons: – Limited features compared to MarineTraffic. – No ship photos or historical data on the free plan.	Free (Basic), Paid for Premium Features
MyShipTracking	– Uses AIS data from satellites and ground stations. – Tracks ship positions, port arrivals, and departure schedules. – View past voyage history, speed, and ship type.	Pros: – Free access to tracking, with no login required. – Includes ship arrival and departure times for ports. – Good for historical voyage tracking. Cons: – Data updates slower compared to MarineTraffic. – Limited access to full historical voyage data.	Free
FleetMon	– Combines AIS data and satellite tracking to cover remote areas. – Provides access to ship photos, schedules, and technical details. – Ideal for shipping companies managing large fleets.	Pros: – Tracks ships even in remote areas where AIS coverage is poor. – Offers detailed ship profiles and fleet monitoring tools. – Useful for professional maritime users and fleet managers. Cons: – Subscription required for advanced features. – Data updates may lag behind MarineTraffic.	Free (Basic), $28+/month (Pro)
Satellite AIS (via Orbcomm, Spire, etc.)	– Uses satellites to capture AIS signals from ships globally. – Tracks vessels even in areas where ground-based AIS is unavailable. – Data is fed into tracking platforms like MarineTraffic and VesselFinder.	Pros: – Tracks ships in open ocean and remote areas with no AIS coverage. – Used by shipping companies to track fleet positions worldwide. – Available as an enterprise solution for logistics firms. Cons: – Not accessible directly to consumers (data is integrated into platforms). – Access requires enterprise licenses or commercial contracts.	Varies (Enterprise-Only)
Cruise Line Apps (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, etc.)	– Allows cruise passengers to track the ship’s current position. – Shows real-time voyage status and onboard activities. – Available to cruise passengers via the cruise line’s app.	Pros: – Provides live ship position, port schedules, and cruise activities. – Great for passengers and family members tracking loved ones. – Free for guests on the cruise. Cons: – Only available for tracking specific cruise ships. – Can’t track non-cruise ships or non-passenger vessels.	Free (For Passengers Only)
Global Fishing Watch	– Nonprofit platform that tracks fishing vessels globally. – Uses AIS and satellite data to monitor fishing activity. – Provides data for tracking overfishing and illegal fishing.	Pros: – Free platform with live tracking of fishing vessels. – Supports environmental initiatives to monitor illegal fishing. – View fishing hot spots and active vessels. Cons: – Limited to fishing vessels only. – Tracking data may lag behind commercial AIS platforms.	Free
Shore-Based AIS Receivers	– Ground-based receivers that capture AIS signals from nearby ships. – Data can be accessed via tracking websites like MarineTraffic. – Provides real-time data for coastal waters and ports.	Pros: – Provides real-time ship tracking in port areas. – No subscription required if accessed via MarineTraffic or similar sites. – Accurate data for local ship movements. Cons: – Limited to a 20-30 mile range from the coast. – Can’t track ships in remote areas or deep-sea routes.	Free (When Accessed via Public Sites)

Ship Tracking: Maritime Pro Secrets

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Tracking ships using free and moderate-cost tools is great for casual users, but if you want to go next-level with your tracking skills, it’s time to explore the advanced methods used by industry insiders, shipping companies, and maritime surveillance experts. These methods aren’t always talked about, but they can give you insight that goes far beyond a simple map of ship locations.

While public tracking platforms like MarineTraffic and VesselFinder are popular, the advanced tracking techniques used by maritime pros give access to things like:

• Fleet-wide control: Track multiple ships at once in a single dashboard.
• Voyage history: See every port the ship has visited for the past year.
• Risk and threat alerts: Get notified of piracy risks, port delays, and vessel detentions.
• Real-time updates in open oceans: No more waiting for AIS ground stations to pick up ship signals.

The next part of this guide will explore the most advanced ship tracking methods, how they work, and why shipping companies pay top dollar for these tools. If you want to track ships like a pro, this is where it happens.

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🚀 Why Go Advanced?

If you’re wondering why you should care about these high-end tracking methods, here are some reasons:

• 🌍 Track Ships in the Open Ocean: Many AIS-based trackers only work near coastlines. Advanced methods use satellites and long-range receivers.
• 📈 Get Deeper Insights: See voyage history, estimated times of arrival (ETAs), and port delays.
• ⚠️ Detect Risks Before They Happen: Know about weather changes, piracy hotspots, and customs detentions.
• 💼 Industry-Level Power: If you’re a shipping company, fleet operator, or maritime investor, this level of tracking is essential for logistics and decision-making.

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⚡ How Do Advanced Tracking Methods Work?

Here’s a quick look at how these tracking methods differ from traditional ones:

1️⃣ Satellite-Based AIS (S-AIS)

How it works: Traditional AIS signals are picked up by ground-based receivers within 20-30 miles of shore. Satellite-AIS (S-AIS) tracks these signals from orbit, meaning ships can be tracked anywhere in the world, including the open ocean.

2️⃣ Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) for Fleets

How it works: This system monitors and tracks ship movements across an entire fleet. Instead of tracking one ship at a time, SIEM tools track all your ships at once, showing alerts for risky areas, detentions, and customs inspections.

3️⃣ Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)

How it works: LRIT is a system required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to track ships operating beyond 1,000 nautical miles. Unlike AIS, LRIT provides ship tracking that’s private (not public) and only shared with government authorities.

4️⃣ Predictive ETA Systems

How it works: Advanced tracking tools can predict a ship’s Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) using AI, weather data, and historical voyage patterns. These ETAs help shipping companies plan for port arrivals and customs clearance.

5️⃣ Satellite Imagery & Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)

How it works: Companies like Orbital Insight use satellite images to track ships and cargo movements at ports. This method reveals ship movement patterns and port congestion that may not be visible via traditional AIS tracking.

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Insider Tips to Track Ships Like a Pro

Want to level up your ship tracking skills? Here are some expert hacks used by maritime insiders:

🔍 1. Combine Multiple Tools for Maximum Coverage

No single tool will give you everything. Here’s how maritime pros track ships at multiple levels:

• Use MarineTraffic for quick, real-time tracking.
• Use Satellite AIS (S-AIS) to track vessels in the open ocean.
• Use Orbital Insight to monitor port congestion and ship counts at ports.
• Use FleetMon for fleet-wide monitoring, especially for large shipping companies.

Pro Tip: If you see a ship “disappear” from MarineTraffic, it might have entered an area with no AIS ground coverage. Use S-AIS to see it in the open ocean.

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🚦 2. Get Alerts for Port Congestion and Delays

If you rely on ship arrivals (like importers, logistics managers, and shipping companies), you need to know about port delays before they affect your business. Advanced tracking platforms offer port congestion dashboards that highlight the busiest ports and provide estimated clearance times.

Pro Tip: Shipping companies use FleetMon to monitor port delays at major ports like Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Rotterdam. If congestion is high, they reroute their ships to less busy ports to avoid delays.

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🌊 3. Don’t Be Fooled by “Dark Vessels”

A “dark vessel” is a ship that has turned off its AIS transponder to avoid detection. Ships do this to hide illegal activities like smuggling, human trafficking, or sanctions evasion. But there’s a catch — they’re not invisible.

How to Spot Them:

• Use S-AIS or satellite imagery to detect ships moving without AIS signals.
• Check for “gaps” in tracking data on MarineTraffic or VesselFinder. A sudden signal loss could mean the ship turned off its AIS.
• Look at historical tracking patterns. If a ship consistently “disappears” in certain regions (like near West Africa or the South China Sea), it might be attempting to avoid detection.

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📡 4. Use LRIT (If You’re a Fleet Manager)

LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking) is used by governments and shipowners to track ships that operate in international waters. It’s not accessible to the public, but if you’re a fleet manager or shipowner, you have access. Unlike AIS, LRIT is:

• Private and secure — Only the shipowner and maritime authorities see the data.
• Required for IMO compliance — Ships over 300 gross tons must have LRIT.
• Global — It tracks ships beyond 1,000 nautical miles from shore.

Pro Tip: Ask your ship operator to provide LRIT tracking reports if you’re managing a fleet. These reports often reveal port arrival times, customs inspections, and more.

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📢 5. Use Satellite Imagery to See What AIS Can’t

Satellite imagery goes beyond AIS, allowing you to see ship positions even when ships are “dark.” Companies like Orbital Insight track the number of ships anchored at major ports and predict congestion. For fleet operators, it’s a game-changer because you’ll know how crowded a port is before your ship arrives.

Pro Tip: Use tools like AIS + Satellite Imagery for next-level insight. AIS tells you where ships “should” be, and satellite imagery shows where they actually are.

OceanSurveillance: Top Advanced Ship Tracking Methods
Method	How It Works	Benefits	Cost
Satellite AIS (S-AIS)	– Uses satellites to pick up AIS signals globally. – Tracks ships even in open oceans beyond coastal AIS coverage. – Data is fed into commercial platforms like MarineTraffic and VesselFinder.	– Tracks ships in remote areas and open seas. – Provides global tracking coverage (no AIS blind spots). – Real-time position updates for vessels beyond shore-based AIS range. – Essential for tracking cargo ships and tankers on long voyages.	Enterprise License Required (Varies by Provider)
Long-Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT)	– IMO-mandated system for ships beyond 1,000 nautical miles from shore. – LRIT reports ship position to maritime authorities and shipowners. – Data is private and not shared with public AIS platforms.	– Provides tracking for ships beyond AIS range (1,000+ nautical miles). – Ensures compliance with IMO regulations for international voyages. – Keeps fleet managers informed of ship positions in deep waters. – Data is more secure and private compared to public AIS tracking.	Enterprise Only (Required for IMO Compliance)
Fleet-Wide Monitoring Systems	– Centralized control system for monitoring an entire fleet of ships. – Tracks all ships on a single dashboard in real time. – Integrates data from AIS, S-AIS, weather, and custom alerts.	– View and manage all fleet vessels in one place. – Get real-time alerts for piracy zones, weather, and customs inspections. – Centralized fleet management for tracking multiple ships at once. – Ideal for fleet operators, shipping companies, and large logistics firms.	$50,000+ annually (Varies by Provider)
Predictive ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) Systems	– Uses AI and machine learning to predict port arrival times. – Factors in ship speed, weather, port congestion, and past voyage data. – Often integrated into fleet management and tracking platforms.	– Predict port arrival times with high accuracy. – Avoid delays by rerouting ships to less congested ports. – Reduces port fees and detention charges by arriving on schedule. – Used by shipping companies to improve cargo delivery estimates.	Varies by Provider (Typically Included in Fleet Monitoring Systems)
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) & Satellite Imagery	– Uses satellite imagery to track ship movements visually. – Detects “dark vessels” that turn off AIS transponders. – Provides port activity analysis, ship counts, and movement history.	– See ship movements without relying on AIS signals. – Detect ships that “go dark” by turning off AIS transponders. – Track port congestion, ship counts, and vessel activity at key ports. – Provides data for market intelligence and port operation planning.	Enterprise-Only (Contact Providers Like Orbital Insight)
Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)	– Centralized platform to track fleet risks and security alerts. – Monitors ship movements, port inspections, and customs delays. – Collects real-time data for security and risk management.	– Centralized alert system for all fleet security risks. – Real-time monitoring of ship detentions, port inspections, and delays. – Integrates with tracking platforms to provide security intelligence. – Used by large shipping companies to reduce operational risks.	$100,000+ annually (Varies by Provider)
Piracy Risk & Maritime Security Alerts	– Tracks real-time piracy activity in high-risk areas (e.g., Gulf of Guinea). – Sends instant alerts for piracy threats, security risks, and area warnings. – Monitors pirate activity using satellite imagery, ship logs, and distress calls.	– Alerts shipowners of piracy threats before ships enter high-risk zones. – Helps fleet managers reroute ships to avoid piracy hotspots. – Reduces risk of hijackings, ransom demands, and insurance claims. – Often integrated into fleet monitoring and tracking dashboards.	Varies by Provider (Often an Add-on to Fleet Monitoring Systems)
Underwater ROV Tracking	– Uses ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) to inspect ship hulls, ballast tanks, and underwater areas. – Tracks and records underwater footage and inspection data. – Often used for port inspections, ship hull inspections, and maritime salvage.	– Inspect ship hulls, propellers, and ballast tanks without divers. – Detect damage, fouling, or leaks on submerged parts of a ship. – View live footage of underwater areas directly from the control room. – Used for port inspections and verifying ship conditions for insurance claims.	Enterprise-Only (Requires ROV Equipment & Control Software)
Dark Vessel Detection Systems	– Detects ships that turn off AIS transponders to avoid detection. – Uses S-AIS, satellite imagery, and geospatial intelligence to track “dark vessels”. – Used by governments and shipping companies to monitor illegal activity.	– Track vessels that attempt to “go dark” in piracy or smuggling zones. – Identifies illegal fishing, human trafficking, and sanctions evasion activities. – Helps shipping companies avoid fines and liabilities for sanctions violations. – Often used by maritime surveillance agencies to monitor illegal shipping.	Enterprise-Only (Used by Governments & Enterprise Clients)
Weather Risk Tracking	– Tracks weather changes that may affect ship voyages. – Integrates weather forecasts, storm paths, and ocean conditions. – Provides alerts for storms, high waves, and port closures.	– Reduces risk of weather-related delays and damage. – Alerts captains to storms, rough seas, and port closures. – Used to reroute ships to avoid severe weather conditions. – Protects cargo and ships from damage caused by severe weather.	Subscription-Based (Varies by Provider)