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Aug 77 min read

OSINT TOOLKIT: MARINETRAFFIC, A REAL-TIME VESSEL TRACKING TOOL THAT ENHANCES MARITIME SECURITY AND VERIFIES NAVAL OPERATIONS DURING CRITICAL SITUATIONS

Martina Elena Nitti, Dalton Riedlbauer, Lewis Li; OSINT-RDT Team

Jennifer Loy, Chief Editor

August 6, 2024

Industry: Maritime Security and Emergency Response


(The Open Source Intelligence [OSINT] Toolkit is a report to help teach about various OSINT tools that can be used by Threat, Security, Intelligence, and Investigative Professionals [TSIIPs])


 Vessel Tracking Technology[1]


What is the BLUF about the OSINT Tool?

MarineTraffic is a free OSINT tool that provides real-time maritime traffic details including routes, departure  and arrivals ports, and speed. It allows users to track all types of vessels using terrestrial AIS antennas. The tool is available in 34 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. TSIIPs can use MarineTraffic to monitor vessels’ routes or maritime threats and incidents worldwide, enhancing the accuracy of their investigations.


What is the name of the OSINT Tool?

MarineTraffic


URL:


Who makes this tool?

Kpler[2]  


What country is this tool based out of?

USA


What is the purpose of the OSINT Tool?

MarineTraffic is a free tool that allows users to visualize maritime traffic, vessel details, and routes. It provides real-time data on the movements and conditions of ships and other vessels. MarineTraffic offers widespread global coverage, ensuring comprehensive monitoring of major waterways and remote oceanic regions. The tool is currently available in 34 languages.


What is the reason TSIIPs should use this OSINT Tool?

MarineTraffic provides real-time data on vessel positions, types, origins, destinations, names, and current status. This allows TSIIPs to monitor specific vessels of interest, track maritime incidents, and verify vessel operations during critical situations. MarineTraffic offers extensive global coverage, which will very likely assist TSIIPs working in GSOC environments. MarineTraffic aggregates vessel data from numerous sources, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, and national and transnational data feeds. The comprehensive data coverage of MarineTraffic will very likely increase the accuracy and efficiency of investigations.


How should TSIIPs use this OSINT Tool?

TSIIPs can access the photo gallery that MarineTraffic offers to better visualize vessels and improve the accuracy of their investigations and reports. MarineTraffic offers several subscription plans with additional features and worldwide tracking possibility using satellite AIS technology. TSIIPs requiring a more comprehensive use of the tool should consider purchasing a plan and choosing between “Standard,” “Professional,” and “Enterprise.” The tool’s website offers a comparison of subscription options to assist TSIIPs in selecting the best alternative.[3] As unpaying users are only able to visualize details for vessels within the terrestrial AIS antennas’ range, they can crosscheck information or research additional details on similar tools such as MyShipTracking or VesselFinder.


What results will TSIIPs receive from the use of this OSINT Tool? 

TSIIPs can gather information about ships, other vessels, ports, lighthouses, and shipping companies. More specifically, they can obtain these results:

  • Ships: TSIIPs can see a vessel's name, its registered country, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number,[4] Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number,[5] radio call sign, and the vessel type. Users can also see the vessel's Actual Time of Departure (ATD), speed, course, draught,[6] destination, and estimated time of arrival (ETA).

  • Ports: TSIIPs can view a map of the chosen port as well as its name and UN/LOCODE.[7]

  • Lighthouses: Users can obtain the lighthouse’s location and dimensions, the light color and range, the year it was built, and nearby vessels.

  • Companies: MarineTraffic provides the contact information, establishment year, business type, and serviced ports for registered shipping companies.


How will this OSINT Tool help TSIIPs protect a person or organization? 

MarineTraffic allows TSIIPs to monitor real-time location, speed, and service status of vessels to enhance maritime security and verify naval operations. During critical situations, TSIIPs can track maritime routes to deliver precise information and efficiently plan event reactions. TSIIPs should register for a free account on MarineTraffic’s website, as it provides access to additional features and information. This will likely allow TSIIPs to enhance the accuracy of their investigations. TSIIPs can purchase a subscription plan for extended historical data, advanced vessel tracking and information, satellite AIS and weather information. This will likely help TSIIPs mitigate security incidents, monitor potential threats, and track suspicious vessels worldwide using satellite technology.


Instructions on using this OSINT Tool:

  1. Access the tool by clicking on the URL provided above.

  2. Users can visualize live maritime traffic on the “Live Map” directly available on the main webpage or by clicking on the “Live Map” tab on the pop-up menu on the left of the page.

  3. Users can zoom in on the “Live Map” to visualize a smaller geographical area and a limited number of vessels.

  4. Users can visualize vessels’ details by clicking on the arrow-shaped icons on the “Live Map.” Available information includes the vessel’s picture, departure and arrival ports, service status, speed, and draught. Users can also expand the information page by clicking on the “Vessel Details” tab on the window.

  5. Users can recognize the types of vessels directly on the “Live Map,” as MarineTraffic attributes different colors to the arrow-shaped icons based on the vessel’s type:

-Red for Tankers

-Orange for Fishing Ships

-Blue for Passengers Vessels

-Green for Cargo Vessels

-Purple for Pleasure Crafts and Sailing Vessels

Aqua for Tugs and Special Crafts

  1. Users can start their research by writing their preferred research term in the “Search MarineTraffic” tab at the top of the main page. Users can decide to filter results by:

-Vessels

-Ports

-Areas

-My Fleets

-My Notes

-Companies

-Stations

-Lights

-IMO

-MMSI

-Photographers

7. Users can choose to visualize major vessels, ports, lighthouses, or companies by selecting the appropriate tab on the pop-up menu on the left of the main webpage. Users should note that MarineTraffic requires registration or login to access these features.


Example of this OSINT Tool in use by a TSIIP?

The merchant vessel GSF Precious is en route from Dubai to Italy, carrying various goods, including electronics, textiles, and other valuable cargo. While navigating through the Gulf of Aden, the vessel was hijacked by Houthi rebels. The ship's communication systems went dark, and the crew could no longer be reached.

  • Receive Alert: The shipping company's operations center receives an alert indicating that "GSF Precious" has deviated from its planned course. The ship's AIS signal has been lost, raising concerns about its safety.

  • Information Gathering: A TSIIP logs into MarineTraffic to investigate the situation. They enter the vessel’s name into the search bar. MarineTraffic shows the vessel’s path and its last known position as near the Gulf of Aden near the Yemeni coast. By clicking on the vessel’s icon, the team retrieves detailed information, including:

-IMO number: IMO1234567

-MMSI number: 987654321

-The last known speed of direction

-Last port of departure: Dubai

-Intended destination: Rome, Italy

  • Alert Authorities: The TSIIP immediately contacts maritime authorities, including the nearest naval forces, to inform them of the hijacking. They provide real-time data from MarineTraffic, including the vessel's last known position and current heading. The TSIIP also contacts the ship's company to coordinate a response. Naval forces in the region are briefed and mobilized for a potential rescue mission.


What other tools should be used with this OSINT Tool?

TSIIPs should utilize MarineTraffic in corroboration with flight tracking, social media, satellite imagery, and mapping tools to build a comprehensive intelligence portfolio and better protect individuals and organizations from maritime-related threats. TSIIPs can also use this tool with flight-tracking or other vessel-monitoring tools like RadarBox to crosscheck information obtained from MarineTraffic or expand their investigation by consulting additional information that may not be available on this tool due to detector disturbances. TSIIPs can consult a thorough report on RadarBox provided by the OSINT-RDT Team of the CTG on their website.[8] TSIIPs should use Google Earth, Google Maps, Sentinel Hub, or Zoom Earth to extend GEOINT (Geospatial Intelligence) and IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) investigations with meteorological, geographical, and photographic details. TSIIPs can find the complete report on Sentinel Hub EO Browser provided by the OSINT-RDT Team of the CTG on their website.[9] TSIIPs should also check social platforms to obtain contextual information on maritime transportation details.


Are there any concerns that TSIIPs should have about using this OSINT tool?

TSIIPs should be aware that unsubscribed users can only visualize details for vessels located in the range of terrestrial AIS antennas. TSIIPs needing a more comprehensive coverage can buy one of the subscription plans available on the tool’s website to be able to access satellite AIS imagery and locate vessels worldwide. TSIIPs should be aware that vessels’ trajectories are never entirely precise, primarily due to detector disruptions. The data must be processed using computational approaches to reduce measurement errors.[10]  TSIIPs should also note that the presence of advertisements on the primary webpage of the tool can slow down the workflow or cause distractions to users. TSIIPs should be aware that MarineTraffic does not provide details and locations of vessels that are outside the AIS range, which can negatively impact their investigation. MarineTraffic does not provide comprehensive information on vessels’ ownerships, voyage data, and advanced details. TSIIPs interested in the full package of information available on the website should consider buying one of MarineTraffic’s yearly subscription plans.

 

[1] Maritime Tracking,  generated by a third party database

[4] An IMO number is a unique identifier assigned to ships for their entire lifetime, comprising the letters "IMO" followed by seven digits.

[5] A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a nine-digit number used internationally to identify a specific ship, coast radio station, or group of stations for maritime digital communication systems like AIS.

[6] Draught is the depth of water a ship or boat requires to float without touching the bottom.

[7] A UN/LOCODE (United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations) is a code used to identify places such as ports, airports, and inland freight terminals.

[8] OSINT TOOLKIT: RADARBOX, A REAL-TIME FLIGHT MONITORING TOOL FOR OBTAINING LIVE AND HISTORICAL AIR TRAFFIC INTELLIGENCE, by Lewis Li, Martina Elena Nitti, Wissal Mabrouk, Dalton Riedlbauer, OSINT-RDT Team

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