Free Vessel Tracking - Locate any Vessel, ship, cargo

What is Vessel Tracking?

Vessel tracking consists of checking a ship’s current location anytime and anywhere in the world. Having this information is key for all the stakeholders of the sea transport industry: shippers, importers, shipping lines and shipping agencies, freight forwarders, port authorities, etc. It helps them in various ways, depending on their respective activities:

- prepare documentation, customs clearance, and cargo pick-up;
- better manage operations;
- improve vessel security;
- follow-up their fleet performance;
- ensure smooth communication between remote ashore/offshore parties.

Locating a commercial vessel in real-time along its journey is easy, using modern tools without having to log in with a user ID and password.

What is IMO?

Each ship and vessel have a unique reference number assigned! This number is the IMO. The number is composed of the three-letter IMO ( International Maritime Organization) followed by a seven-digit number. 

IMO is recognized by most governments in the world, it is in fact, considered the best Unique Vessel Identifier (UVI). IMO number is used for identification, to better manage vessels, to improve the transparency and consistency of legal records, and to enhance monitoring, surveillance, and operational performance.

How do I check vessel tracking?

Finding a vessel’s exact location along its journey and getting details about it only takes seconds, using its name or MMSI/IMO number. Tracking websites like Visi-Fleet or mobile apps that aggregate data from all vessel monitoring systems (VMS) offer accurate information on any ship.

How do I track a container ship?

A container ship’s real-time location can be easily tracked on dedicated websites or apps, thanks to the data provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) worldwide network. The user can simply use either the container number or the Master Bill of Lading. If he/she knows the IMO number or the name of the vessel that carries its cargo, he/she may also use it to follow up on the vessel’s progress at sea.

Why is vessel tracking important?

Vessel tracking is important because it enhances safe navigation, operational efficiency, transparency, and security in the maritime industry.

It provides real-time visibility of each ship’s precise location worldwide, allowing stakeholders to monitor movements, avoid collisions, and respond quickly to emergencies.

What technologies are used for vessel tracking?

The main vessel monitoring systems used for tracking include Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), satellites, radar, GPS, and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS).

These technologies collect data on a ship’s location, speed, and course, providing real-time information to stakeholders.

How does vessel tracking benefit the shipping industry?

Vessel tracking is essential in the shipping industry as it enhances safety and security, facilitates navigation and routing, improves maritime operations and logistics, and ensures compliance with regulations.

It helps prevent accidents, optimize routes, plan operations, allocate resources efficiently, and enforce maritime regulations.

How is ship tracking technology evolving?

Ship tracking technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations such as satellite-based tracking and artificial intelligence being developed. These advancements are improving the accuracy and reliability of tracking data, and are also allowing for new applications such as real-time monitoring of cargo and predictive maintenance for ships.

How to choose a vessel tracking app?

The choice of a vessel tracking solution depends on different factors: requirements, constraints & objectives; features and functionalities; technology used; and accuracy, coverage, interface, and cost

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