Vessel tracking has become a crucial element of the maritime industry. It allows shipping companies, cargo owners, and port authorities to monitor the movements of vessels in real-time, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and security of maritime transport.

In this blog post, we will explore vessel tracking statistics to provide an in-depth understanding of the importance and benefits of this technology.

Key Vessel Tracking Statistics 2023 – MY Choice


  • As of 2021, there are approximately 40,000 cargo vessels in the world.
  • The global fleet of container ships has a total capacity of 23.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
  • The average age of the world’s cargo fleet is 14.2 years.
  • In 2020, the total number of vessels tracked by Automatic Identification System (AIS) was over 400,000.
  • The busiest shipping route in the world is from China to the United States, with over 1,200 vessels per week.
  • In 2019, the global maritime industry generated $46.5 billion in revenue from vessel tracking and related services.
  • AIS data shows that the average speed of container ships has decreased from 21 knots in 2008 to 16 knots in 2021, due to efforts to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
  • In 2020, the busiest ports in the world were Shanghai, Singapore, and Shenzhen, with a total of over 130 million TEUs handled.
  • The top five flag states in the world by fleet size are Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
  • AIS data has been used to improve maritime safety and reduce the risk of collisions, with a 37% reduction in reported incidents between 2011 and 2020.

Vessel Tracking Statistics

  • The global vessel tracking market size is expected to reach $3.6 billion by 2025.
  • In 2019, the global vessel tracking market was valued at $2.6 billion.
  • The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for vessel tracking, with a CAGR of 14.3% from 2020 to 2025.
  • The satellite-based vessel tracking segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2019.
  • The number of active vessels being tracked by satellite has grown from 1,000 in 2004 to over 80,000 in 2021.

Vessel Tracking Facts

  • Vessel tracking systems can help shipowners save fuel by optimizing shipping routes.
  • Vessel tracking can also reduce the risk of collisions and groundings by providing real-time information on vessel movements.
  • Vessel tracking can be used to monitor illegal fishing and piracy activities in maritime waters.
  • The AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a widely used vessel tracking technology that transmits vessel data such as location, speed, and direction.

Vessel Tracking Benefits

  • Improved safety: Vessel tracking systems can help prevent collisions, groundings, and other accidents.
  • Cost savings: By optimizing shipping routes, vessel tracking systems can help reduce fuel consumption and operating costs.
  • Enhanced security: Vessel tracking can help monitor vessel movements and prevent piracy, illegal fishing, and other security threats.
  • Increased efficiency: Vessel tracking systems can help improve supply chain management and reduce transit times.

Vessel Tracking Trends

  • The use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) in vessel tracking is expected to grow in the coming years.
  • The integration of vessel tracking systems with other maritime technologies such as weather monitoring and cargo tracking is also expected to increase.
  • The use of blockchain technology to secure vessel tracking data is gaining popularity.

Vessel Tracking Adoption

  • The adoption of vessel tracking systems is growing in the maritime industry, with more shipowners and operators investing in this technology.
  • Vessel tracking is becoming a mandatory requirement in many countries, with regulations such as SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) requiring vessels to have AIS installed.
  • The use of vessel tracking is also growing in the offshore oil and gas industry, where it is used to monitor vessel movements and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Vessel Tracking Market Analysis

  • The vessel tracking market is highly competitive, with players such as ORBCOMM, Inmarsat, and Spire Global dominating the market.
  • The market is characterized by the presence of both established players and new entrants, with the latter focusing on innovative solutions such as AI and blockchain technology.
  • The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market for vessel tracking, driven by factors such as increasing mariti

Global vessel tracking market

  1. The global vessel tracking market size was valued at USD 2.45 billion in 2020.
  2. The vessel tracking market is projected to reach USD 4.42 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2021 to 2026.
  3. Asia-Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the vessel tracking market by 2026, due to the increasing demand for vessel tracking services from countries such as China and India.

Types of Vessel Tracking

  1. There are two types of vessel tracking systems, namely, Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
  2. AIS is the most commonly used vessel tracking system, and it is mandated for all commercial vessels over 300 gross tons and all passenger vessels in international waters.
  3. SBAS is used for more advanced vessel tracking applications, such as offshore oil and gas exploration and marine research.

Benefits of Vessel Tracking

  1. Vessel tracking enhances the safety and security of maritime transport, as it allows for the monitoring of vessels in real-time.
  2. Vessel tracking reduces the risk of collisions by providing early warning systems for vessel traffic.
  3. Vessel tracking helps to prevent piracy and illegal fishing by providing authorities with the location of vessels at all times.
  4. Vessel tracking can help shipping companies to optimize their operations by reducing fuel consumption, improving route planning, and enhancing the efficiency of cargo handling.
  5. Vessel tracking can reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport by optimizing routes, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing emissions.

Vessel Tracking Technologies

  1. There are several technologies used for vessel tracking, including GPS, VHF, Inmarsat, and Satellite AIS.
  2. GPS is the most widely used technology for vessel tracking, as it provides accurate location data and is available worldwide.
  3. VHF is used for short-range communication between vessels and between vessels and ports.
  4. Inmarsat is a satellite-based system that provides global coverage for vessel tracking.
  5. Satellite AIS provides global coverage and is used for vessel tracking in remote areas where terrestrial systems are not available.

AIS Vessel Tracking

  1. AIS is a vessel tracking system that uses VHF radio waves to exchange vessel information with other vessels and shore-based stations.
  2. AIS provides information such as the vessel’s identity, position, course, speed, and navigational status.
  3. AIS is mandated for all commercial vessels over 300 gross tons and all passenger vessels in international waters.
  4. AIS is a critical tool for search and rescue operations, as it provides the location of vessels in distress.

Satellite AIS Vessel Tracking

  1. Satellite AIS is a vessel tracking system that uses satellites to receive and transmit AIS messages.
  2. Satellite AIS provides global coverage and can track vessels in remote areas where terrestrial systems are not available.
  3. Satellite AIS is used for a wide range of applications, including maritime security, vessel monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Vessel Tracking Applications

  1. Vessel tracking is used for a wide range of applications, including maritime safety, security, and environmental monitoring.
  2. Vessel tracking is used to monitor vessel traffic in ports and waterways, to track the movement of cargo

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