Ship Location and Route Monitoring API vs Ship Tracker API: What to Choose?

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API and the Ship Tracker API. Both APIs provide robust solutions for tracking vessels, but they differ in features, performance, and use cases. In this blog post, we will delve into a detailed comparison of these two APIs, exploring their capabilities, performance, and the best scenarios for their use.

Overview of Both APIs

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API offers comprehensive vessel tracking and management capabilities. It provides real-time data on vessel status and movements, including detailed insights into position, navigational status, current port, and weather conditions. This API is particularly useful for optimizing port operations and enhancing navigational safety.

Ship Tracker API is designed for developers looking to integrate ship tracking functionalities into their applications. It allows users to retrieve up-to-date information about vessels, including their current position, speed, heading, and destination. This API is ideal for logistics and shipping management systems that require real-time tracking capabilities.

Feature Comparison

Vessel Information

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API allows users to pass the vessel's IMO number and retrieve essential data such as:

IMO number
Vessel Name
Ship type
Flag
Gross Tonnage
Summer Deadweight (t)
Length Overall (m)
Beam (m)
Year of Built

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9270622 is valid","data":{"imo_number":"9270622","vessel_name":"AQUAMAN","ship_type":"Offshore Tug/Supply Ship","flag":"Vanuatu","gross_tonnage":"2332","summer_deadweight_t":"2162","length_overall_m":"69","beam_m":"16","year_of_built":"2003"}}

Get Route

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API provides data such as:

Departure Port
Departure ATD
Callsign
Flag
Length / Beam
IMO / MMSI
Navigation Status
Current Draught
Course / Speed
Arrival Port
Arrival ETA

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9251183 is valid","data":{"departure_port":"Kingston Anch., Jamaica","departure_atd":"ATD: Nov 12, 02:21 UTC (10 days ago)","callsign":"V7A4876","flag":"Marshall Islands","length_beam":"119 / 19 m","imo_mmsi":"9251183 / 538009548","navigation_status":"-","current_draught":"5.1 m","course_speed":" ","arrival_port":"FOR ORDER","arrival_atd":"ETA: Nov 20, 14:00","latest_port_calls":[{"port_name":"Kingston Anch., Jamaica","arrival_utc":"2024-11-11T16:50:00.000000Z","departure_utc":"2024-11-12T02:21:00.000000Z","time_in_port":"9 hours, 31 minutes"}]}}

Current Position

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API provides:

Area
Current Port
Latitude
Longitude
Navigational Status
Speed
Course
AIS Source

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9270622 is valid","data":{"position_received":"2023-10-13 10:36","vessel_local_time":"-","area":"Gulf of Guinea","current_port":"ONNE","latitude_longitude":"--- / ---","navigational_status":"Under way using engine","speed_course":"7.9 Knots","ais_source":"-"}}

Get Position by MMSI

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API provides data such as:

Destination
Reported ETA
Speed
Heading
Draught
Position Received
Latitude / Longitude
Navigational status

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"MMSI Code 577472000 is valid","data":{"destination":"Onne, Nigeria","reported_eta":"ATA: Nov 11, 14:42 UTC","speed":"7.9 Knots","heading":null,"draught":"5.5 m","position_received":"2023-10-13 10:36","latitude_longitude":"--- / ---","navigational_status":"Moored"}}

Get Latest Ports by MMSI Code

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API allows users to access data such as:

Position Received
Area
Current Port
Coordinates
Navigational status
Last port calls
Arrival
Departure
Time in port

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"MMSI Code 205566190 is valid","data":{"position_received":"14 m ago","vessel_local_time":"-","area":"North Sea","current_port":"PUURS ZEEKANAAL BRUS","latitude_longitude":"51.11120° / 4.29875°","navigational_status":"Moored","speed_course":"","ais_source":"-","last_port_calls":[{"port":"ANTWERP","arrival":"2024-08-04 10:23","departure":"2024-08-04 14:09","time_in_port":"3 h"}]}}

Performance and Scalability Analysis

Ship Location and Route Monitoring API excels in providing detailed insights into vessel movements and port operations, making it ideal for large-scale logistics operations. Its ability to source data from both terrestrial and satellite AIS signals enhances its reliability and coverage.

Ship Tracker API, while also robust, focuses more on providing real-time tracking capabilities for individual vessels. It is particularly effective for applications that require quick access to vessel data without the need for extensive historical insights. This API is well-suited for fleet management systems that prioritize speed and efficiency in tracking.

Pros and Cons of Each API