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Unveiling the story behind the world’s most reliable AIS data

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Maritime intelligence begins with data—vast, dynamic, and flowing from every corner of the globe. But raw data alone isn’t enough. To truly empower decision-making, that data must be accurate, comprehensive, and ready to act on.

Behind every vessel tracked, every risk mitigated, and every opportunity unlocked is SeaTech™, a meticulously built ecosystem of data sources, advanced technologies, and human expertise. This is the story of the data that powers maritime visibility.

A foundation of accuracy: Our proprietary terrestrial AIS network

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The cornerstone of our data lies in a proprietary terrestrial AIS network built to deliver precision, reliability, and unrivalled coverage. Covering 5,800+ ports worldwide, it provides more than 80% of all AIS positions, forming the backbone of global maritime tracking.

This network outperforms satellite AIS in high-traffic zones such as busy ports, shipping lanes, and coastal chokepoints, where real-time, ground-level accuracy is paramount. Each receiver is strategically positioned to deliver the clarity and timeliness maritime stakeholders need for informed decision-making.

What does this mean for maritime intelligence?

  • Real-Time Insights: Up-to-the-minute vessel positions ensure you act with confidence, particularly in HTZs where speed and precision are critical.
  • Unrivalled Reach: Terrestrial stations provide reliable data coverage in the busiest global ports and shipping hubs, outperforming satellite AIS in these dense environments.
  • Precision Built In: Managed, staffed, and maintained in-house to ensure continuous reliability.

From the busiest shipping lanes to strategic terminals, our proprietary terrestrial AIS network is the foundation of accurate and actionable maritime intelligence, providing the insights you need to track and understand the world’s trade flows.

Closing the gaps: Shipborne AIS

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Maritime operations are fluid, crossing borders, seas, and zones where terrestrial coverage isn’t always enough. This is where shipborne AIS steps in—ensuring that critical data gaps are filled, even in high-traffic or remote areas.

Shipborne receivers, positioned onboard vessels, work tirelessly to collect and transmit positional data. By operating closer to the source, they provide more frequent updates, minimise latency, and reduce message collisions. This complementary layer of data ensures continuity and improves the quality and reliability of maritime intelligence.

Why does this matter?

  • Seamless Coverage: Shipborne receivers reduce blind spots, providing vital continuity in areas where terrestrial AIS cannot reach.
  • Increased Frequency: Delivering more frequent vessel position updates, enabling near real-time visibility for faster decision-making.
  • Enhanced Reliability: Improved data quality through fewer message collisions and reduced latency, particularly in high-traffic areas.
  • Better Context: Additional data points from congested zones offer richer insights into vessel movements.

With shipborne AIS, maritime stakeholders gain a critical layer of data that bridges gaps and enhances the overall accuracy and timeliness of vessel tracking.

Expanding the horizon: Satellite AIS

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The open ocean presents unique challenges for maritime visibility, especially in remote and deep-sea regions. Satellite AIS complements terrestrial and shipborne data by extending coverage to areas beyond the reach of land-based or onboard systems. This layer of data helps fill in gaps and supports a more comprehensive view of vessel movements when needed.

By capturing AIS signals from orbit, satellite AIS enhances maritime tracking capabilities in remote locations and deep-sea areas, ensuring stakeholders have a dependable layer of data to support critical decisions.

How does satellite AIS elevate visibility?

  • Extended Reach: Provides essential coverage in remote and deep-sea regions to complement terrestrial and shipborne AIS.
  • Enhanced Context: Adds depth to maritime intelligence by capturing data from areas that are traditionally harder to monitor.
  • Integrated Insight: Works seamlessly with terrestrial and shipborne AIS to ensure a holistic view of vessel movements.

While satellite AIS is a valuable component, it is most effective when combined with the precision and reliability of terrestrial AIS and the enhanced frequency of shipborne AIS. Together, these data sources deliver the most complete and actionable maritime intelligence available.

Local expertise: The Lloyd’s Agents Network

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Data is powerful, but human insight brings it to life. Our exclusive partnership with the Lloyd’s Agents network adds a layer of unparalleled local expertise, ensuring that our AIS network doesn’t just cover the globe—it understands it.

With over 250 agents and 300 sub-agents in 170 countries, our network extends into strategic locations and sensitive ports where few others operate. These experts provide:

  • Real-Life Verification: Detecting anomalies, such as AIS spoofing, with on-the-ground validation.
  • Exclusive Access: Positioned in locations where others cannot go, offering data that no one else can deliver.
  • Unmatched Uptime: Their presence ensures that our network is consistently operational and dependable.

SeaTech™ in action: SmartMatch AI Technology

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SmartMatch ensures that every piece of data is not only clean, validated, and accurate but also seamlessly integrated to provide a comprehensive view of maritime activity.

This advanced system blends data from multiple AIS sources—terrestrial, shipborne, and satellite—aligning it with vessel characteristics, ownership records, and movement patterns. By bringing together these diverse data points, SmartMatch creates a unified and consistent picture of the global fleet.

How SmartMatch works to deliver reliable data:

  • Resolving Errors: Detects and corrects duplicate or erroneous vessel identities caused by registry changes, manual entry errors, or outdated information.
  • Flagging Deception: Identifies and marks deceptive practices, such as AIS spoofing, to safeguard maritime operations and compliance.
  • Blending Data Sources: Combines AIS data streams with vessel attributes and ownership details to ensure a complete, context-rich understanding of every movement.

This technology guarantees that the data you rely on isn’t just abundant—it’s cohesive, actionable, and trustworthy, enabling faster and smarter decision-making.

Big data, simplified: The COACT framework

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Handling vast amounts of data is no small task. The COACT framework is our commitment to delivering actionable intelligence through a foundation of Consistency, Origin, Accuracy, Completeness, and Timeliness.

  • Consistency: Trusted since 2007, our AIS database is the backbone of maritime decision-making.
  • Origin: Powered by proprietary networks and local expertise, ensuring credibility at every step.
  • Accuracy: Data verified through SmartMatch for precision you can trust.
  • Completeness: Coverage you can rely on, with 95% uptime and comprehensive tracking.
  • Timeliness: Real-time updates processed and delivered when you need them most.

A unified data ecosystem

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From land to sea to space, every element of our data ecosystem works together to deliver the most comprehensive maritime intelligence available. It’s not just data; it’s clarity in a complex and dynamic world.

This unified foundation powers a suite of advanced insights and analytics, transforming raw data into actionable intelligence. With AIS data at its core, our ecosystem extends into:

  • Vessel and Ownership Data: Gain a complete understanding of vessel characteristics, ownership structures, and operational patterns. 
  • Geospatial Analytics: Visualise and monitor vessel movements in real time for enhanced situational awareness. 
  • Trade Insights: Understand cargo flows and trade patterns to uncover opportunities or risks within global supply chains. 
  • Predictive Insights: Anticipate vessel arrivals, congestion, and potential disruptions to optimise planning. 
  • Risk Evaluation: Assess vessel, ownership, and voyage risks to make informed compliance decisions.
  • Deceptive Activity Detection: Identify spoofing, dark activity, and other behaviours that could signal non-compliance or illicit operations.

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