How do I find my VesselAPI Key?

Log in to your [**VesselAPI dashboard**](https://vesselapi.com/account), and you will find your API Key under the settings page. Copy and paste it below.

Does it support real-time AIS data?

Yes. The `get_vessel_position` tool provides the latest AIS position received for the specified vessel IMO number.

Can the agent show port schedules?

Yes. Use the `get_vessel_schedules` tool to retrieve upcoming port calls and arrival/departure metadata for any vessel.

VesselAPI MCP Server for Cursor 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes

Name: VesselAPI
Availability: InStock
Author: Vinkius

docs.cursor.com/context/model-context-protocol

Built by Vinkius GDPR 6 Tools IDE

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code that integrates LLM-powered coding assistance directly into the development workflow. Its Agent mode enables autonomous multi-step coding tasks, and MCP support lets agents access external data sources and APIs during code generation.

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Classic Setup·json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vesselapi": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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* 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.

Cursor's Agent mode turns VesselAPI into an in-editor superpower. Ask Cursor to generate code using live data from VesselAPI and it fetches, processes, and writes. all in a single agentic loop. 6 tools appear alongside file editing and terminal access, creating a unified development environment grounded in real-time information.

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 Cursor 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 Cursor via MCP

Follow these steps to integrate the VesselAPI MCP Server with Cursor.

Open MCP Settings

Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) → search "MCP Settings"

Add the server config

Paste the JSON configuration above into the mcp.json file that opens

Save the file

Cursor will automatically detect the new MCP server

Start using VesselAPI

Open Agent mode in chat and ask: "Using VesselAPI, help me...". 6 tools available

Why Use Cursor with the VesselAPI MCP Server

Cursor AI Code Editor provides unique advantages when paired with VesselAPI through the Model Context Protocol.

Agent mode turns Cursor into an autonomous coding assistant that can read files, run commands, and call MCP tools without switching context

Cursor's Composer feature can generate entire files using real-time data fetched through MCP. no copy-pasting from external dashboards

MCP tools appear alongside built-in tools like file reading and terminal access, creating a unified agentic environment

VS Code extension compatibility means your existing workflow, keybindings, and extensions all work alongside MCP tools

VesselAPI + Cursor Use Cases

Practical scenarios where Cursor combined with the VesselAPI MCP Server delivers measurable value.

Code generation with live data: ask Cursor to generate a security report module using live DNS and subdomain data fetched through MCP

Automated documentation: have Cursor query your API's tool schemas and generate TypeScript interfaces or OpenAPI specs automatically

Infrastructure-as-code: Cursor can fetch domain configurations and generate corresponding Terraform or CloudFormation templates

Test scaffolding: ask Cursor to pull real API responses via MCP and generate unit test fixtures from actual data

VesselAPI MCP Tools for Cursor (6)

These 6 tools become available when you connect VesselAPI to Cursor 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 Cursor

Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Cursor 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 Cursor

Common issues when connecting VesselAPI to Cursor through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.

Tools not appearing in Cursor

Ensure you are in Agent mode (not Ask mode). MCP tools only work in Agent mode.

Server shows as disconnected

Check Settings → Features → MCP and verify the server status. Try clicking the refresh button.

VesselAPI + Cursor FAQ

Common questions about integrating VesselAPI MCP Server with Cursor.

What is Agent mode and why does it matter for MCP?

Agent mode is Cursor's autonomous execution mode where the AI can perform multi-step tasks: reading files, editing code, running terminal commands, and calling MCP tools. Without Agent mode, Cursor operates in a simpler ask-and-answer mode that doesn't support tool calling. Always ensure you're in Agent mode when working with MCP servers.

Where does Cursor store MCP configuration?

Cursor looks for MCP server configurations in a mcp.json file. You can configure servers at the project level (.cursor/mcp.json in your project root) or globally (~/.cursor/mcp.json). Project-level configs take precedence.

Can Cursor use MCP tools in inline edits?

No. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode through the chat panel. Inline completions and Tab suggestions do not trigger MCP tool calls. This is by design. tool calls require user visibility and approval.

How do I verify MCP tools are loaded?

Open Settings → Features → MCP and look for your server name. A green indicator means the server is connected. You can also check Agent mode's available tools by clicking the tools dropdown in the chat panel.