In the fast-paced world of maritime logistics, having access to real-time data is crucial for operational efficiency and decision-making. Offshore support vessels (OSVs) play a vital role in various maritime operations, including oil and gas exploration, offshore construction, and supply chain logistics. However, tracking these vessels and managing their operations can be challenging without the right tools. This is where Vessels API comes into play, offering a comprehensive suite of RESTful 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?
Vessels API stands out in the maritime data landscape for several reasons:
- 18 REST endpoints covering vessel search, live tracking, fleet operations, port intelligence, and IMO CII emissions scoring.
- One API key and one base URL, eliminating the complexity of OAuth and per-endpoint authentication differences.
- Consistent JSON envelope on every response, ensuring ease of integration:
{status, success, message, data}. - Global AIS coverage with near real-time refresh rates, providing timely and accurate data.
- A 7-day free trial on all plans, allowing users to explore the API's capabilities without commitment.
- Target users include developers, logistics startups, fleet managers, port operators, and ESG/compliance teams.
Key Features of the Vessels API
The Vessels API provides a wide range of functionalities that cater to various maritime data needs. Below, we will explore the most relevant endpoints for offshore support vessel tracking, detailing their purpose, request formats, and practical use cases.
Vessel Intelligence Endpoints
1. Vessel Search
The GET /vessels/search endpoint allows users to find any vessel by name, IMO, or MMSI. This is particularly useful for fleet managers who need to quickly locate specific vessels within their operations.
Request Example:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/search?query=atlantic&flag=Panama"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "123456789",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"flag": "Panama",
"vessel_type": "OSV",
"gross_tonnage": 5000,
"deadweight_tonnage": 3000,
"year_built": 2010,
"length_m": 80,
"width_m": 20
}
],
"pagination": {
"current_page": 1,
"per_page": 10,
"total": 1,
"last_page": 1
}
}
}Key Fields:
imo: International Maritime Organization number, a unique identifier for the vessel.mmsi: Maritime Mobile Service Identity, used for AIS tracking.name: The name of the vessel.flag: The country under which the vessel is registered.vessel_type: Type of vessel, e.g., OSV.gross_tonnage: Total internal volume of the vessel.deadweight_tonnage: Maximum weight the vessel can safely carry.year_built: Year the vessel was constructed.length_mandwidth_m: Dimensions of the vessel.
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. This endpoint is essential for logistics teams needing to monitor vessel movements in real-time.
Request Example:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/track?mmsi=258785000&hours=48"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"vessel": {
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager"
},
"current_position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"speed_knots": 12,
"course_degrees": 180,
"heading_degrees": 180,
"navigational_status": "Underway",
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-01T12:00:00Z",
"destination": "Port of Call",
"eta": "2023-10-02T08:00:00Z"
},
"position_history": [...],
"route": {
"departure_port": "Port A",
"departure_time": "2023-10-01T10:00:00Z",
"destination_port": "Port B",
"eta": "2023-10-02T08:00:00Z",
"distance_nm": 100,
"avg_speed_knots": 12
},
"last_port_visits": [...]
}
}Key Fields:
current_position: Contains real-time data about the vessel's location, speed, course, and navigational status.position_history: An array of historical positions for the vessel.route: Information about the vessel's current route, including departure and destination ports, ETA, and distance.
3. Nearby Vessels
The GET /vessels/nearby endpoint allows users to find all vessels within a specified radius of a given latitude and longitude. This is particularly useful for port operators and fleet managers who need to monitor vessel traffic in specific areas.
Request Example:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/nearby?latitude=-34.60&longitude=-58.38&radius=30"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"center": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38
},
"radius_nm": 30,
"total": 5,
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"ship_type": "OSV",
"position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-01T12:00:00Z"
},
"distance_nm": 5,
"speed_knots": 12,
"course_degrees": 180,
"navigational_status": "Underway"
}
]
}
}Key Fields:
center: The geographical center point of the search.radius_nm: The radius in nautical miles within which vessels are being searched.total: Total number of vessels found within the specified radius.vessels: An array of vessels found, including their current positions and navigational statuses.
Fleet Operations Endpoints
4. Fleet Management
The POST /vessels/fleet endpoint allows users to batch request positions, routes, and statistics for multiple vessels in one go. This is particularly beneficial for fleet managers who need to monitor multiple vessels simultaneously.
Request Example:
curl -X POST -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"vessels":[{"imo":"9122556"},{"mmsi":"309374000"}],"include_positions":true,"include_routes":true}' "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/fleet"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"fleet": {
"total_vessels": 2,
"vessels_at_sea": 1,
"vessels_in_port": 1
},
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "9122556",
"mmsi": "309374000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38
},
"route": {
"departure_port": "Port A",
"destination_port": "Port B",
"eta": "2023-10-02T08:00:00Z"
}
}
]
}
}Key Fields:
total_vessels: Total number of vessels in the fleet.vessels_at_sea: Number of vessels currently at sea.vessels_in_port: Number of vessels currently docked at port.vessels: An array of detailed information about each vessel in the fleet.
Port Intelligence Endpoints
5. Port Congestion
The GET /ports/congestion endpoint provides real-time congestion snapshots and wait-time statistics for a specific port. This is crucial for logistics teams to optimize port operations and reduce delays.
Request Example:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/ports/congestion?port_id=ARBUE&period=7d"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"period": "7d",
"snapshot": {
"vessels_in_anchorage": 5,
"vessels_at_berth": 3
},
"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
}
}
}Key Fields:
port_id: Unique identifier for the port.port_name: Name of the port.snapshot: Current snapshot of vessel activity at the port.statistics: Historical data on wait times and port calls.
6. Expected Arrivals
The GET /port/expected-arrivals endpoint lists vessels expected to arrive at a specific port, including their ETA and origin. This information is vital for port operators to manage incoming traffic effectively.
Request Example:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/port/expected-arrivals?port=ARBUE"Response Example:
{
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"expected_arrivals": [
{
"mmsi": "258785000",
"imo": "1234567",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"vessel_type": "OSV",
"eta": "2023-10-02T08:00:00Z",
"departure_port": "Port A"
}
],
"total": 1
}
}Key Fields:
expected_arrivals: An array of vessels expected to arrive, including their details.eta: Estimated time of arrival for each vessel.departure_port: The port from which the vessel is coming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Vessels API offers a powerful and comprehensive solution for offshore support vessel tracking and management. With its extensive range of endpoints, developers can easily integrate real-time maritime data into their applications, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities. Whether you are a fleet manager, logistics startup, or port operator, the Vessels API provides the tools you need to succeed in the maritime industry.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to leverage this powerful API. Try Vessels API for free today and experience the benefits of real-time maritime data and analytics.
Ready to get started? Get started with Vessels API and transform your maritime operations!
