• DATA
  • PLANNING
  • LOGISTICS
  • HUMAN

How to calculate nautical distances with your AI

Connect NavAPI to your AI client once. From there, you can pull precise distance data between any two ports instantly.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How do I find the nautical distance between two ports?

Tell your AI the names of the departure and arrival ports. It will use the get_port_distance tool to find the exact nautical mileage. You'll get the specific distance needed for your route planning.

The outcomes

What you get from these calculations

The AI handles the math and the data lookup, leaving you with actionable routing info.

DATA

Precise mileage

The AI pulls the exact nautical distance between specific port coordinates. You get a single, reliable number for your logs.

PLANNING

Route estimates

Use the distance data to estimate fuel needs or transit times. Your AI can then help you draft those estimates.

LOGISTICS

Port-to-port mapping

The tool works for any global port pair you specify. It removes the need to manually look up coordinates or use external calculators.

HUMAN

Final route approval

The AI provides the distance, but you decide if the route is viable based on weather or vessel constraints. You remain the decision maker.

The workflow

What your AI does when you ask for a distance.

The AI acts as a bridge between your chat interface and the port database.

  1. Identify ports

    Your AI parses your request to find the specific port names you mentioned.

    get_port_distance

  2. Calculate distance

    The AI calls the specific tool to compute the nautical distance between those two points.

    get_port_distance

  3. Format results

    The AI takes the raw numerical output and presents it in a clear, readable format.

    get_port_distance

  4. Integrate data

    The AI uses the distance to answer follow-up questions about your logistics plan.

    get_port_distance

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the distance tool immediately.

Starting points

Swap out the port names in these examples for the ones you actually need.

NavAPI Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_FJn9OvPoOFVlxP6ky4A7yUuj5IEGMtDknaaCzXcI/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — NavAPI capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "navapi-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_FJn9OvPoOFVlxP6ky4A7yUuj5IEGMtDknaaCzXcI/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • What is the nautical distance between Singapore and Rotterdam?

  • Calculate the distance from Port of Los Angeles to Port of Shanghai.

  • How many nautical miles is it from Suez to Busan?

  • Find the distance between Port Hedland and Ningbo.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect NavAPI once, then ask.

One click connects this MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can start asking for distances right away.

Connect NavAPI to your AI

FAQ

How the distance tool behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI calculate distance in kilometers instead of nautical miles?

    No. The tool provides nautical distance specifically.

  • 02

    Does the AI account for real-time weather or currents?

    No. The tool only calculates the direct nautical distance between ports.

  • 03

    Can I use this for any port in the world?

    Yes, as long as the port is included in the global database the tool accesses.

  • 04

    Will the AI change my shipping documents?

    No. The AI only retrieves distance data; it cannot modify your external files or documents.

  • 05

    Does the AI handle the fuel consumption math?

    The AI can perform the math if you provide the vessel's speed, but the tool itself only provides the distance.

  • More questions about NavAPI? The Connector page answers them. See everything the NavAPI Connector can do

Connect NavAPI to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more