• LIVE
  • PLANNED
  • SEARCH
  • HUMAN

How to track vessel movements and schedules with your AI

Connect VesselAPI to your AI client to access live AIS data. Once linked, your agent pulls specific ship locations and port timelines on command.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I track vessel movements and schedules with my AI?

Your AI uses VesselAPI to pull live AIS positions and upcoming port call schedules. You can ask for specific coordinates or arrival estimates to monitor your fleet. This breakdown shows how your agent handles the data.

The outcomes.

Where your data lands.

The AI converts raw maritime telemetry into clear updates for your planning.

LIVE

Real-time tracking

The AI pulls current AIS coordinates to show you exactly where a ship is right now.

PLANNED

Arrival predictions

Your agent uses port call schedules to estimate when a vessel will hit its next destination.

SEARCH

Vessel identification

The AI finds specific ships by name or identifier to pull their unique data sets.

HUMAN

Logistics decisions

The AI provides the raw data and timelines, but you decide how to adjust your operations based on those numbers.

The workflow

What your AI does when the data arrives.

The AI acts as your interface to the maritime data stream.

  1. Find the ship

    Your agent identifies the correct vessel from the global registry using its name or IMO number.

    search_vessels

  2. Locate the vessel

    The AI fetches the most recent AIS telemetry to pinpoint the ship's current latitude and longitude.

    get_vessel_position

  3. Check the schedule

    Your agent pulls upcoming port calls to see where the ship is headed next.

    get_vessel_schedules

  4. Report findings

    The AI summarizes the position and schedule into a clear update for your planning.

    get_vessel_positionget_vessel_schedules

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the VesselAPI tools.

Starting points

These are simple ways to start. Swap out the ship names or IMO numbers with your actual targets.

VesselAPI Connector

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

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_LX9pzTJO4qpZeMybqTL4ZFERX72dosUhkrpND6q7/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 — VesselAPI capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vesselapi-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_LX9pzTJO4qpZeMybqTL4ZFERX72dosUhkrpND6q7/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Find the current position for the vessel named Ever Given.

  • What is the upcoming port schedule for IMO 9811000?

  • Search for all vessels currently near the Port of Rotterdam.

  • Check the last known position and next scheduled port call for the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller.

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

Start here

Connect VesselAPI once, then ask.

Just link your account to start. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can immediately start asking questions in your preferred AI client.

Connect VesselAPI to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI change a ship's scheduled arrival time?

    No. The AI can only read existing schedules from the API. You must contact the port or carrier to change a schedule.

  • 02

    Does the AI provide a visual map of the ship?

    No. The AI provides text-based coordinates and location data. You would need to paste those into a mapping tool yourself.

  • 03

    How often does the position data update?

    The AI pulls the most recent data available from the AIS stream at the moment you ask.

  • 04

    Can I track a ship if I only have its name?

    Yes, the AI can use the search tool to find the correct vessel by name before pulling its position.

  • 05

    Can the AI send messages to the ship's captain?

    No. This MCP is for data retrieval only and has no capability to send communications to vessels.

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

Connect VesselAPI to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more