Northeast Ocean Data is pleased to announce the release of 2013 data on commercial vessel traffic in the northeastern United States. The dataset includes five categories of vessel traffic:
- All vessels
- Cargo vessels
- Passenger vessels
- Tanker vessels
- Tug-and-tow vessels
The new data, along with data for 2011 and 2012, are mapped in the Marine Transportation viewer (previously called Maritime Commerce) and the Data Explorer.
Northeast Ocean Data’s commercial traffic datasets are based on raw Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard. AIS are navigation safety devices that monitor and transmit the locations and characteristics of vessels in U.S. and international waters. All vessels 300 gross tons and above (except military) are required by the International Maritime Organization to carry an AIS transponder.
The raw data were processed courtesy of the USCG and the BOEM/NOAA Marine Cadastre project. We developed the 2013 AIS data products using the same methodology and format as the previously available 2011 and 2012 AIS data. All three years of data are available for download on the Data Download page under the Marine Transportation section.
These data products were informed and reviewed by the port and shipping sectors and the USCG during outreach conducted from New York to Maine in early 2015. More information is available through the Northeast Ocean Planning website and the final report summarizing outreach to the shipping and ports sector.
