In the maritime industry, real-time data and analytics are crucial for optimizing operations, ensuring safety, and enhancing decision-making processes. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs) play a vital role in supporting offshore oil and gas operations, and tracking their movements can significantly improve logistics and operational efficiency. This is where the Vessels API comes into play, offering a comprehensive suite of endpoints designed to provide developers, startups, and enterprise teams with instant access to global maritime vessel tracking data powered by AIS (Automatic Identification System).
Why Choose Vessels API?
The Vessels API stands out in the maritime data landscape due to its extensive features and user-friendly design:
- 18 REST endpoints covering vessel search, live tracking, fleet operations, port intelligence, and IMO CII emissions scoring.
- One API key and one base URL—no OAuth or per-endpoint authentication differences.
- Consistent JSON envelope on every response: {status, success, message, data}.
- Global AIS coverage with near real-time refresh rates.
- 7-day free trial on all plans; scales from indie developers to enterprise fleets.
With these features, the Vessels API is designed to meet the needs of developers, logistics startups, fleet managers, port operators, and ESG/compliance teams.
Key Features of the Vessels API
Vessel Intelligence
The Vessels API provides a range of endpoints that allow users to gather detailed information about vessels, track their movements, and analyze their operational data. Here are some of the most relevant endpoints for offshore supply vessel tracking:
1. Vessel Search
The GET /vessels/search endpoint allows users to find any vessel by name, IMO, or MMSI. Optional filters include ship type, flag, and various size parameters.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/search?query=atlantic&flag=Panama"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Vessels found",
"data": {
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "9702510",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"flag": "Panama",
"vessel_type": "Supply Ship",
"gross_tonnage": 3000,
"deadweight_tonnage": 5000,
"year_built": 2015,
"length_m": 80,
"width_m": 20
}
],
"pagination": {
"current_page": 1,
"per_page": 1,
"total": 1,
"last_page": 1
}
}
}This endpoint is invaluable for logistics teams needing to quickly locate vessels for operational planning and coordination.
2. Live Vessel Tracking
The GET /vessels/track endpoint provides live position data, including up to 168 hours of position history, active routes, predicted ETAs, and weather conditions.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/track?mmsi=258785000&hours=48"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Vessel tracking data retrieved",
"data": {
"vessel": {
"imo": "9702510",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier"
},
"current_position": {
"latitude": 34.56,
"longitude": -120.45,
"speed_knots": 12,
"course_degrees": 90,
"heading_degrees": 90,
"navigational_status": "Under way using engine",
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-13T10:36:00Z",
"destination": "Port of Los Angeles",
"eta": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z"
},
"position_history": [
{
"timestamp": "2023-10-12T10:36:00Z",
"latitude": 34.55,
"longitude": -120.46
}
],
"route": {
"departure_port": "Port of San Francisco",
"departure_time": "2023-10-12T08:00:00Z",
"destination_port": "Port of Los Angeles",
"eta": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z",
"distance_nm": 200,
"avg_speed_knots": 12
}
}
}This endpoint is essential for fleet managers who need to monitor the real-time status of their vessels and make informed decisions based on current conditions.
3. Nearby Vessels
The GET /vessels/nearby endpoint allows users to find all vessels within a specified radius of a given latitude and longitude.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/nearby?latitude=-34.60&longitude=-58.38&radius=30"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Nearby vessels retrieved",
"data": {
"center": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38
},
"radius_nm": 30,
"total": 5,
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "9702510",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"ship_type": "Supply Ship",
"position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-13T10:36:00Z",
"distance_nm": 0,
"speed_knots": 12,
"course_degrees": 90,
"navigational_status": "Under way using engine"
}
}
]
}
}This feature is particularly useful for port operators and logistics teams who need to assess the density of maritime traffic in specific areas.
4. Vessel Analytics
The GET /vessels/analytics endpoint provides aggregated voyage statistics, allowing users to analyze performance over different periods.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/analytics?type=vessel&mmsi=258785000&period=7d"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Analytics data retrieved",
"data": {
"type": "vessel",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"imo": "9702510",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"period": "7d",
"statistics": {
"total_distance_nm": 1500,
"avg_speed_knots": 10,
"max_speed_knots": 15,
"port_calls_count": 5,
"total_time_in_port_hours": 20,
"ports_visited": ["Port of San Francisco", "Port of Los Angeles"]
}
}
}This endpoint is invaluable for fleet managers looking to optimize routes and improve operational efficiency based on historical performance data.
Fleet Operations
The Vessels API also offers endpoints specifically designed for managing fleets of vessels, allowing users to batch requests for multiple vessels.
5. Fleet Management
The POST /vessels/fleet endpoint allows users to retrieve batch positions, routes, and statistics for multiple vessels in one request.
Example Request:
curl -X POST -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"vessels":[{"imo":"9702510"},{"mmsi":"258785000"}],"include_positions":true,"include_routes":true}' "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/fleet"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Fleet data retrieved",
"data": {
"fleet": {
"total_vessels": 2,
"vessels_at_sea": 1,
"vessels_in_port": 1
},
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "9702510",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38
},
"route": {
"departure_port": "Port of San Francisco",
"destination_port": "Port of Los Angeles"
}
}
]
}
}This endpoint is essential for fleet managers who need to monitor multiple vessels simultaneously and make data-driven decisions.
Port Intelligence
Understanding port conditions is crucial for optimizing vessel operations. The Vessels API provides several endpoints dedicated to port intelligence.
6. Port Congestion
The GET /ports/congestion endpoint provides real-time congestion snapshots and wait-time statistics for a specified port.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/ports/congestion?port_id=ARBUE&period=7d"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Congestion data retrieved",
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"period": "7d",
"snapshot": {
"vessels_in_anchorage": 10,
"vessels_at_berth": 5
},
"statistics": {
"avg_wait_time_hours_last_7d": 2,
"max_wait_time_hours_last_7d": 5,
"avg_berth_time_hours_last_7d": 3,
"port_calls_count": 50
}
}
}This endpoint is crucial for logistics teams to plan arrivals and departures effectively, minimizing delays and optimizing resource allocation.
7. Port Activity
The GET /port/activity endpoint provides recent arrivals and departures for a specified port, which is essential for logistics event feeds.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/port/activity?port=ARBUE"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Port activity data retrieved",
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"arrivals": [
{
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"arrival_time": "2023-10-13T10:36:00Z",
"from_port": "Port of San Francisco"
}
],
"departures": [
{
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"departure_time": "2023-10-14T12:00:00Z",
"to_port": "Port of Los Angeles"
}
]
}
}This endpoint helps logistics teams stay informed about vessel movements, enabling better coordination and planning.
Environmental Compliance
With increasing regulatory scrutiny on emissions, the Vessels API offers endpoints for tracking environmental compliance.
8. IMO CII Emissions Scoring
The GET /vessels/green endpoint provides IMO CII emissions scoring for ESG reporting and regulatory compliance.
Example Request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/green?mmsi=258785000&period=30d"Example Response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Emissions data retrieved",
"data": {
"imo": "9702510",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Supplier",
"period": "30d",
"distance_nm": 1500,
"estimated_emissions": {
"co2_tons": 100,
"co2_per_nm": 0.067
},
"cii": {
"score": "B",
"rating": "Good",
"year": 2023,
"regulation_reference": "IMO MEPC.339(76)"
}
}
}This endpoint is essential for companies looking to meet environmental regulations and improve their sustainability practices.
Conclusion
The Vessels API is a powerful tool for anyone involved in maritime operations, offering a comprehensive suite of endpoints that provide real-time data and analytics for offshore supply vessels. By leveraging this API, developers can build applications that enhance operational efficiency, improve logistics planning, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Whether you are a fleet manager, logistics startup, or port operator, the Vessels API provides the data you need to make informed decisions and optimize your operations. Try Vessels API for free and discover how it can transform your maritime data management.
For more information and to get started, visit Get started with Vessels API.
