"After analyzing dozens of maritime data providers, we curated the following list to help those looking for the very best in AIS data and vessel tracking."
Automatic Identification System (AIS) are imperative to safety, efficiency, and compliance within the maritime industry. AIS data delivers valuable information from ships operating at sea so organizations and authorities can ensure secure operations and avoid potential issues from navigational errors or inefficiencies.
While AIS systems are valuable when used correctly, they are also vulnerable to dark shipping and AIS spoofing, events in which a vessel’s AIS system is switched off or spoofed to broadcast false navigational information.
Dark shipping and AIS spoofing are most often used to avoid detection of carrying out illicit activities such as trading sanctioned goods or illegal fishing. While some operators turn off their ship’s AIS due to security concerns like piracy, most of these events are done with ill intent.
Now, with the rapid rise in dark shipping and AIS spoofing globally, maritime organizations and national authorities must strategize appropriately to mitigate and defend against these risks.
After analyzing dozens of maritime data providers, we curated the following list to help those looking for the very best in AIS data and vessel tracking.
Spire Maritime
Spire Maritime is a suite of services offered by Spire Global, a leading provider of space-based data and analytics, and specializes in solutions involving AIS data collection, analysis, and delivery to help secure the global maritime domain.
Spire’s AIS data-driven solutions help maritime entities track vessels, optimize navigational efficiency, and keep safe while at sea. Spire’s AIS solutions are suitable for a range of applications, from weather monitoring to commercial fishing to military operations - making it our top choice for AIS data services.
Key Benefits
Satellite-Based Data Services: Spire’s constellation of 100+ nanosatellites delivers robust, real-time, near-global coverage for top-of-the-line AIS data collection and maritime insights.
Real-Time and Historical Data: Spire’s deep catalog of historical data dating back to 2010 makes it possible to identify recurrences of AIS anomalies and assess instances of dark shipping or AIS spoofing.
Deep Insights with Data Analytics: Spire Maritime doesn’t just deliver AIS data. Spire’s services include data analytics and ship position validation with RF signal detection, allowing you to see the maritime domain from a distance for better decision-making and operational success.
Seamless API Integration: Spire’s AIS data is easily integrated into technology, operations, and workflows, taking away any headaches involved with the onboarding process.
Extended Data Services: Spire Maritime is under the umbrella of Spire Global, which serves numerous industries with data services. If your organization operates across industries, Spire can help deliver data through a single, consolidated service.
Windward AI
Windward’s AIS-based maritime services aim to provide solutions for the maritime industry to mitigate risk, increase intelligence, and assess situations for better operational awareness. From trading and shipping to supply chains and logistics, Windward is a trusted AIS data provider that helps drive efficiency and improve operations for public and private entities.
While Windward does not own and operate its own satellites, it uses five AIS data sources to deliver accurate and robust solutions. Windward’s AIS sources include two coastal AIS networks, two satellite constellations, and vessel-based AIS (V-AIS). According to Windward, having multiple sources of AIS data provides resilience against instances of AIS blackouts.
Key Benefits
Near-Global Coverage: Windward’s partnerships with two satellite constellations and Planet Labs, the market leader for satellite-based optical imagery, allow near-global coverage and deep insights for maritime operations, safety, and compliance.
Data Fusion Capabilities: Windward’s services combine robust AIS data collected from satellites in LEO and pair it with other data sources to deliver deeper insights and more accurate intelligence. Pairing data with satellite imagery, weather analytics, and historical patterns from ships at sea gives a more robust understanding of the maritime domain as a whole.
Customized Solutions: By using numerous AIS data sources, Windward is able to customize maritime solutions for those with an interest in specific AIS data applications. From shipping to insurance to maritime financial operations, Windward is capable of delivering top-of-class solutions to maritime-focused entities.
Compliance and Regulatory Applications: One of Windward’s core services is regulatory and sanctions compliance. Windward’s AIS data and predictive insight capabilities help entities ensure environmental compliance, sanctions regulations, and trade operations - ultimately helping customers mitigate risks in the maritime domain.
Orbcomm
Orbcomm is a US-based company offering maritime solutions by combining AIS data from its proprietary next-generation satellite constellation with terrestrial-based AIS data from industry partners for top-of-the-barrel reliability and near-real-time insights. According to their website, Orbcomm processes 30 million messages from nearly 250,000 vessels a day.
Orbcomm claims to be the most cost-effective AIS solution on the market, likely due to its partnerships with leading AIS data providers and their expansive terrestrial AIS ground stations.
It also boasts that its team won’t upsell customers on outside services. They are committed to only serving those with the solutions they need to enhance their maritime domain.
Key Benefits
Near-Global AIS Coverage: Orbcomm uses a combination of satellite-based AIS collection and terrestrial AIS receivers to deliver data coverage at the furthest corners of the Earth. The dual approach to AIS data collection and vessel observation provides maritime entities with comprehensive coverage that builds domain awareness, mitigates risk, and optimizes vessel operations.
Data Quality and Position Accuracy: Using top-of-the-line data processing algorithms and state-of-the-art AIS receiver stations, Orbcomm promises industry-leading data quality and position accuracy to mitigate operational risks.
Dedicated Operational Support: For all of its customers, Orbcomm promises dedicated operational support to meet their needs and offer solutions that build on current processes. The operational support helps deliver better insights and a more comprehensive picture of the maritime domain as it relates to each customer.
Historical AIS Database: Historical AIS data is necessary to assess vessel operations and anomalies. With Orbcomm, customers receive a depth of historical AIS data to help uncover unseen recurrences with individual ships or shipping organizations across the globe. Using this data helps authorities build more robust regulations and regulate the maritime environment.
Cross-Industry Applications: Since Orbcomm partners with other AIS data services, it is able to provide services and solutions to customers across a wide range of industries and applications. Shipping, port management, and maritime research are all within the scope of services offered by Orbcomm.
Global Fishing Watch (GFW)
According to its website, Global Fishing Watch aims to create, transform, and distribute AIS data to customers to increase the transparency of human-driven activities in the ocean - particularly fishing.
With the rise of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Global Fishing Watch aims to help improve commercial fishing accountability and governance and reduce the ecological threats the fishing industry has on people and the planet. GFW also aims to reduce forced and underpaid labor on fishing vessels.
By deploying its technology in the fishing industry, Global Fishing Watch is able to deliver data that enables scientific research, develops marine conservation, and improves the way humans interact with the oceans.
Key Benefits
Various Data Sources: Global Fishing Watch has partnerships with AIS data providers and satellite operators, giving it a multi-source dimension that won’t skew data or give inaccurate insights. GFW combines that AIS data with information gained through vessel monitoring systems (VMS) under government operation. Using both AIS and VMS gives a broad-scale view of the maritime domain for more accurate insights.
Open-Source Fishing Activity Map: Global Fishing Watch has an open-source fishing map to visualize and analyze vessel activity at sea. The map compiles data from numerous satellite and ML-based technologies to provide one of the most robust tools on the market for maritime domain awareness.
Research for Policy Development: The AIS services offered by Global Fishing Watch help support the research and development of national and international fishing policy, particularly as it relates to the commercial fishing industry. Evidence-backed decision-making for policy enhancement is non-negotiable, so GFW is making a tangible impact on a global level.
Market Advantages: GFW provides the perfect enhancement tool for organizations that are solely involved in fishing. Since Global Fishing Watch is fishing-focused, the AIS data is used in a more curated way, providing customers who only need fishing data with one of the best tools available - whether it is for policy development, situational awareness, or compliance.
Pole Star
Pole Star offers maritime domain awareness (MDA) solutions to its customers by building vessel intelligence, safeguarding operations, and ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of coastal surveillance.
Pole Star’s vessel tracking API is a customizable AIS data feed that can be configured to manage your team, operations, and outcomes by integrating AIS data directly into existing workflows and platforms. Each customer already has data directly related to their needs, and by combining Pole Star’s AIS data and API into their operations, they are able to curate outcomes and mitigate risk throughout their operations.
Pole Star’s MDA solutions provide broad-scale visibility to maritime assets and logistical operations and help analyze historical data to identify trends in vessel behavior. Currently, Pole Star collects and analyzes data for over 40,000 vessels under government operation.
Key Benefits
User-Based Permissions and Authentication: Customers are able to manage access and permissions through Pole Star’s user interface, allowing seamless collaboration and communication across teams and workflows.
Real-Time Visualization: Pole Star’s MDA tools allow users to display things like EEZs, regulated waters, high-risk areas, and more to ensure the safety and security of operations.
Downloadable Reports: Pole Star’s MDA customers can download historical data in CSV format for easy analysis and collaboration. These reports can be customized with queries and filters, ensuring each customer receives the data they need.
Other Maritime Data Providers to Consider
While the companies listed above are our top choices for AIS data providers, there are numerous other maritime data providers that offer a breadth of data and intelligence information to public and private entities.
While this list is certainly not exhaustive, the following services may help push you in the right direction.
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