Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a satellite and VHF-based transponder system for identifying and tracking ships. AIS is mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for all large commercial vessels. It functions as a ship’s electronic beacon, continuously transmitting data via VHF radio (and satellite) to other nearby ships and shore-based VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) stations.
The primary purpose of AIS is collision avoidance. However, its data is also used commercially to track cargo. The AIS broadcast provides real-time data, including:
- Vessel identity: Ship name, MMSI number, and call sign.
- Dynamic data: Real-time GPS position, speed, and course.
- Voyage data: Destination, draft, and cargo type.
Cargo shipping project managers around the world are actively using a commercial AIS tracking service to monitor the vessel’s exact position. The real-time data allows them to see the ship’s updated ETA, which is essential for coordinating the arrival of the specialized cargo, port crew, and heavy-haul trailers needed for operations like a multi-day offloading operation.