VesselAPI MCP Server for Claude Code 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes
Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic CLI for terminal-first development. Add VesselAPI as an MCP server in one command and Claude Code will discover every tool at runtime. ideal for automation pipelines, CI/CD integration, and headless workflows via Vinkius.
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Vinkius Desktop App
The modern way to manage MCP Servers — no config files, no terminal commands. Install VesselAPI and 2,500+ MCP Servers from a single visual interface.
# Your Vinkius token. get it at cloud.vinkius.com
claude mcp add vesselapi --transport http "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure
About VesselAPI MCP Server
Empower your AI agent to orchestrate your entire maritime research and vessel auditing workflow with VesselAPI, the comprehensive source for global shipping data. By connecting VesselAPI to your agent, you transform complex logistics searches into a natural conversation. Your agent can instantly track vessels by IMO number, audit upcoming port schedules, and retrieve real-time AIS positions without you ever touching a maritime dashboard. Whether you are conducting supply chain research or monitoring global trade flow, your agent acts as a real-time maritime consultant, ensuring your data is always precise and up-to-the-minute.
Claude Code registers VesselAPI as an MCP server in a single terminal command. Once connected, Claude Code discovers all 6 tools at runtime and can call them headlessly. ideal for CI/CD pipelines, cron jobs, and automated workflows where VesselAPI data drives decisions without human intervention.
What you can do
- Vessel Auditing — Retrieve high-resolution details for any vessel by IMO number, including flag, type, and build metadata.
- Schedule Oversight — Audit upcoming port calls and historical schedules to maintain a clear view of maritime logistics.
- Position Intelligence — Query real-time AIS positions to understand the current geographic distribution of vessels instantly.
- Port Discovery — List global maritime ports and retrieve localized metadata to assist in geographic planning.
- Logistics Monitoring — Check API status and monitor your data usage to maintain strict control over your research volume.
The VesselAPI MCP Server exposes 6 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to Claude Code in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.
How to Connect VesselAPI to Claude Code via MCP
Follow these steps to integrate the VesselAPI MCP Server with Claude Code.
Install Claude Code
Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code if not already installed
Add the MCP Server
Run the command above in your terminal
Verify the connection
Run claude mcp to list connected servers, or type /mcp inside a session
Start using VesselAPI
Ask Claude: "Using VesselAPI, show me...". 6 tools are ready
Why Use Claude Code with the VesselAPI MCP Server
Claude Code provides unique advantages when paired with VesselAPI through the Model Context Protocol.
Single-command setup: `claude mcp add` registers the server instantly. no config files to edit or applications to restart
Terminal-native workflow means MCP tools integrate seamlessly into shell scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and automated DevOps tasks
Claude Code runs headlessly, enabling unattended batch processing using VesselAPI tools in cron jobs or deployment scripts
Built by the same team that created the MCP protocol, ensuring first-class compatibility and the fastest adoption of new protocol features
VesselAPI + Claude Code Use Cases
Practical scenarios where Claude Code combined with the VesselAPI MCP Server delivers measurable value.
CI/CD integration: embed VesselAPI tool calls in your deployment pipeline to validate configurations or fetch secrets before shipping
Headless batch processing: schedule Claude Code to query VesselAPI nightly and generate reports without human intervention
Shell scripting: pipe VesselAPI outputs into other CLI tools for data transformation, filtering, and aggregation
Infrastructure monitoring: run Claude Code in a cron job to query VesselAPI status endpoints and alert on anomalies
VesselAPI MCP Tools for Claude Code (6)
These 6 tools become available when you connect VesselAPI to Claude Code via MCP:
check_api_status
Check if the VesselAPI is operational
get_vessel_details
Get comprehensive details for a vessel by IMO number
get_vessel_position
Get the latest AIS position for a vessel
get_vessel_schedules
Get upcoming port calls and schedules for a vessel
list_maritime_ports
List global maritime ports supported by VesselAPI
search_vessels
Search for vessels by name
Example Prompts for VesselAPI in Claude Code
Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Claude Code agent to start working with VesselAPI immediately.
"Get details for vessel with IMO 9411159 using VesselAPI."
"Where is vessel 'MSC OSCAR' located right now?"
"Show upcoming schedules for IMO 9243394."
Troubleshooting VesselAPI MCP Server with Claude Code
Common issues when connecting VesselAPI to Claude Code through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.
Command not found: claude
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeConnection timeout
VesselAPI + Claude Code FAQ
Common questions about integrating VesselAPI MCP Server with Claude Code.
How do I add an MCP server to Claude Code?
claude mcp add --transport http "" in your terminal. Claude Code registers the server and discovers all tools immediately.Can Claude Code run MCP tools in headless mode?
How do I list all connected MCP servers?
claude mcp in your terminal to see all registered servers and their status, or type /mcp inside an active Claude Code session.Connect VesselAPI with your favorite client
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Connect VesselAPI to Claude Code
Get your token, paste the configuration, and start using 6 tools in under 2 minutes. No API key management needed.