In the maritime industry, real-time data and analytics are crucial for optimizing operations, ensuring safety, and enhancing decision-making. With the increasing complexity of global shipping logistics, developers and businesses need reliable access to maritime data to improve efficiency and compliance. This is where Vessels API comes into play, offering a comprehensive suite of endpoints designed to meet the diverse needs of maritime professionals.
Why Choose Vessels API?
Vessels API provides a robust REST API with 17 endpoints that cover a wide range of functionalities, including vessel search, live AIS tracking, fleet operations, port intelligence, and IMO CII emissions scoring. Here are some key advantages:
- Comprehensive coverage with 17 REST endpoints.
- One API key and a single base URL for all requests.
- Consistent JSON response structure for easy integration.
- Global AIS coverage with near real-time data refresh rates.
- Flexible for developers, startups, and enterprise teams.
Vessel Intelligence Endpoints
1. Vessel Search
The GET /vessels/search endpoint allows users to find any vessel by name, IMO, or MMSI. This endpoint supports optional filters such as ship type, flag, and dimensions, making it versatile for various use cases.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/search?query=atlantic&flag=Panama"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Search results",
"data": {
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "123456789",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"flag": "Panama",
"vessel_type": "Cargo",
"gross_tonnage": 50000,
"deadweight_tonnage": 30000,
"year_built": 2010,
"length_m": 250,
"width_m": 40
}
],
"pagination": {
"current_page": 1,
"per_page": 10,
"total": 1,
"last_page": 1
}
}
}This endpoint is essential for logistics companies and fleet managers who need to quickly locate vessels for operational planning.
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 is invaluable for real-time monitoring and operational efficiency.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/track?mmsi=258785000&hours=48"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Vessel tracking data",
"data": {
"vessel": {
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager"
},
"current_position": {
"latitude": 34.56,
"longitude": -120.45,
"speed_knots": 12,
"course_degrees": 90,
"heading_degrees": 90,
"navigational_status": "Under way",
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-13T10:36:00Z",
"destination": "Los Angeles",
"eta": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z"
},
"position_history": [...],
"route": {
"departure_port": "San Francisco",
"departure_time": "2023-10-12T08:00:00Z",
"destination_port": "Los Angeles",
"eta": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z",
"distance_nm": 300,
"avg_speed_knots": 12
},
"last_port_visits": [...]
}
}This endpoint is crucial for logistics ETAs and fleet dashboards, allowing companies to optimize their operations based on real-time data.
3. Nearby Vessels
The GET /vessels/nearby endpoint returns all vessels within a specified radius of a given latitude and longitude. This is particularly useful for port operators and logistics teams needing situational awareness of nearby vessels.
Example cURL 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 JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Nearby vessels data",
"data": {
"center": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38
},
"radius_nm": 30,
"total": 5,
"vessels": [
{
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"ship_type": "Cargo",
"position": {
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"timestamp_utc": "2023-10-13T10:36:00Z"
},
"distance_nm": 5,
"speed_knots": 10,
"course_degrees": 90,
"navigational_status": "Under way"
}
]
}
}This endpoint enhances situational awareness for port operations and helps in managing vessel traffic effectively.
4. Vessel Analytics
The GET /vessels/analytics endpoint provides aggregated voyage statistics for vessels, ports, or fleets. This data is essential for performance analysis and operational improvements.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/analytics?type=vessel&mmsi=258785000&period=7d"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Analytics data",
"data": {
"type": "vessel",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"imo": "1234567",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"period": "7d",
"statistics": {
"total_distance_nm": 1500,
"avg_speed_knots": 11,
"max_speed_knots": 15,
"port_calls_count": 5,
"total_time_in_port_hours": 20,
"ports_visited": ["San Francisco", "Los Angeles"]
}
}
}This endpoint is invaluable for fleet managers and logistics teams looking to optimize routes and improve operational efficiency.
Fleet Operations Endpoints
5. Fleet Management
The POST /vessels/fleet endpoint allows users to batch request positions, routes, and statistics for multiple vessels in one request. This is particularly useful for fleet managers who need to monitor multiple vessels simultaneously.
Example cURL request:
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"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Fleet data",
"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": "San Francisco",
"destination_port": "Los Angeles"
}
}
]
}
}This endpoint streamlines fleet management, allowing for efficient monitoring and decision-making.
6. IMO CII Emissions Scoring
The GET /vessels/green endpoint provides IMO CII emissions scoring for vessels, which is essential for ESG reporting and regulatory compliance.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/green?mmsi=258785000&period=30d"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "CII emissions data",
"data": {
"imo": "1234567",
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"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 crucial for companies aiming to meet environmental regulations and improve their sustainability practices.
Port Intelligence Endpoints
7. Port Congestion
The GET /ports/congestion endpoint provides real-time congestion snapshots and wait-time statistics for ports, which is vital for logistics planning.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/ports/congestion?port_id=ARBUE&period=7d"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Congestion data",
"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 helps port operators manage traffic and optimize berth allocation.
8. Full Port Catalog
The GET /ports endpoint provides a complete catalog of ports, including identifiers, coordinates, and countries. This is essential for logistics and shipping operations.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/ports"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Port catalog",
"data": {
"ports": [
{
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"country": "Argentina",
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"timezone": "America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires"
}
],
"total": 248
}
}This endpoint is crucial for logistics companies needing to identify and locate ports for shipping operations.
9. Port Data
The GET /ports/data endpoint provides detailed information for a single port, including live vessel counts. This is essential for operational planning.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/ports/data?port=ARBUE"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Port data",
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"country": "Argentina",
"latitude": -34.60,
"longitude": -58.38,
"timezone": "America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires",
"vessels_in_port": 15,
"vessels_expected": 5
}
}This endpoint helps port operators manage incoming and outgoing traffic effectively.
10. Expected Arrivals
The GET /port/expected-arrivals endpoint provides information on vessels expected to arrive at a port, including ETAs and origins. This is vital for logistics planning.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/port/expected-arrivals?port=ARBUE"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Expected arrivals data",
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"expected_arrivals": [
{
"mmsi": "258785000",
"imo": "1234567",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"vessel_type": "Cargo",
"eta": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z",
"departure_port": "San Francisco"
}
],
"total": 1
}
}This endpoint is crucial for logistics teams to prepare for incoming vessels and manage resources accordingly.
11. Port Activity
The GET /port/activity endpoint provides recent arrivals and departures for a port, which is essential for tracking logistics events.
Example cURL request:
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/port/activity?port=ARBUE"Example JSON response:
{
"status": 200,
"success": true,
"message": "Port activity data",
"data": {
"port_id": "ARBUE",
"port_name": "Port of Buenos Aires",
"arrivals": [
{
"mmsi": "258785000",
"name": "Atlantic Voyager",
"arrival_time": "2023-10-15T12:00:00Z",
"from_port": "San Francisco"
}
],
"departures": [
{
"mmsi": "258785001",
"name": "Pacific Explorer",
"departure_time": "2023-10-14T10:00:00Z",
"to_port": "Los Angeles"
}
]
}
}This endpoint is vital for logistics teams to monitor port activities and manage schedules effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vessels API offers a comprehensive suite of endpoints that empower developers and businesses to access real-time maritime data and analytics. From vessel tracking to port intelligence, the API provides essential tools for optimizing operations, ensuring compliance, and enhancing decision-making in the maritime industry.
Whether you are a fleet manager, logistics startup, or port operator, integrating Vessels API into your systems can significantly improve your operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making capabilities. Try Vessels API for free today and unlock the potential of real-time maritime data.
