Terms and Conditions

Last updated: February 2026

Non-Production Application

This application is currently in development and is not a production system. Features, data, and availability may change without notice. Do not rely on this system for operational decisions.

Purpose and Scope

This AIS Vessel Tracking system is provided by the International Trade Administration (ITA) for internal government use. The system provides real-time and historical maritime vessel tracking data to support trade analysis, compliance monitoring, and related government functions.

Data Sources

This system aggregates data from the following sources:

  • AIS Position Data: Real-time Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel position reports provided by AISStream.io
  • Ship Registry Data: Vessel characteristics, ownership, and flag state information sourced from S&P's Maritime ship database

Disclaimers

Data Accuracy

AIS data is transmitted by vessels and may contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. Position reports may be delayed, missing, or incorrect due to equipment malfunction, intentional manipulation, or transmission issues. This system does not verify or validate the accuracy of AIS transmissions.

Data Completeness

Not all vessels transmit AIS signals, and coverage may vary by geographic region. Small vessels, vessels in certain waters, or vessels with disabled transponders will not appear in this system. The absence of a vessel from displayed data does not indicate the absence of vessels in that area.

Real-Time Availability

While this system aims to provide near real-time data, delays of several minutes may occur due to data processing, network latency, or system load. Data should not be relied upon for time-critical navigation or safety decisions.

As-Is Provision

This system is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. ITA makes no warranties regarding the reliability, availability, timeliness, or accuracy of the data or system functionality.

Intended Use

This system is intended for piloting capabilities for the following:

  • Trade pattern analysis and market research
  • Compliance monitoring and sanctions screening support
  • Supply chain visibility and logistics planning
  • General maritime awareness for government functions

Important: This system is not intended for navigation, collision avoidance, search and rescue operations, or any safety-critical applications.

Access and Authorization

Access to this system is restricted to authorized personnel from approved government domains. Unauthorized access or sharing of credentials is prohibited.

Contact

For questions regarding this system or these terms, please contact the ITA technology team.

International Trade Administration | U.S. Department of Commerce