MarineTraffic MCP Server

What is MarineTraffic MCP Server?

A Model Context Protocol server that provides access to MarineTraffic vessel tracking data, enabling AI assistants like Claude to query real-time vessel positions, details, and search vessels by name, MMSI, IMO, or type.

How to use MarineTraffic MCP Server?

Install Node.js 18 or higher, obtain a MarineTraffic API key, clone the repo, run npm install and npm run build, then configure the server in your MCP settings file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json) with the MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY environment variable.

Key features of MarineTraffic MCP Server

• get_vessel_position: Real-time position of a vessel by MMSI or IMO
• get_vessel_details: Detailed vessel information by MMSI or IMO
• search_vessels: Search by name, MMSI, IMO, or vessel type
• get_vessels_in_area: Vessels within a specified geographic area
• vessel://{identifier} resource: Direct access to vessel data by identifier
• vessels://area/{lat}/{lon}/{radius} resource: Area-based vessel list

Use cases of MarineTraffic MCP Server

• Track a specific vessel’s current location and heading
• Obtain detailed specifications for a vessel of interest
• Find all vessels near a port, anchorage, or waypoint
• Search for vessels by partial name or type during operations
• Integrate live maritime data into conversational AI workflows

FAQ from MarineTraffic MCP Server

What are the runtime requirements?

Node.js 18 or higher and a valid MarineTraffic API key are required.

How do I configure the server with Claude?

Set the MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY environment variable in your MCP settings file and point command/args to the built server.

What happens if I exceed the API rate limit?

The server automatically retries with exponential backoff, but you may need to wait before making additional requests.

Why might no data be found for a vessel?

Some vessels, especially smaller ones or those in areas with limited AIS coverage, may not have real-time tracking data available.

Where can I get a MarineTraffic API key?

From the MarineTraffic API Services page at their website.