At Terminal49, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements to serve our customers better. As the logistics industry evolves, so do we. One significant area where we’re making strides is real-time ship tracking using AIS, or Automatic Identification System, data. Let’s explore what AIS is, how we leverage this technology, and the implications for the logistics sector.
The Role of AIS in Modern Shipping
AIS is a critical technology for modern maritime operations. It enables ships to broadcast vital information such as location, speed, and size, contributing significantly to maritime safety. However, beyond safety, AIS data is a treasure trove for the logistics industry, providing real-time insights into ship movements.
Adapting to Technological Changes
As technology advances, so do the collecting and utilizing AIS data methods. There are three primary ways to collect this data:
- Satellite AIS: allows for global coverage, but the expense and complexity involved would otherwise make it impractical for most customers to purchase directly. At Terminal49, we invest in this data from various vendors to ensure the highest accuracy and completeness. By absorbing these costs, we allow our customers to benefit from precise, global ship location data without the financial burden or technical challenges.
- Terrestrial AIS: More affordable and land-based, but with limited range.
- Shipboard Equipment: Primarily for safety, not logistics.
At Terminal49, we have embraced terrestrial AIS data from AISstream.io, an innovative and free service that collects data from receivers near ports and coastlines. This strategic choice aligns with our commitment to leveraging cost-effective, high-impact technologies.
Terminal49: Moving Beyond Traditional Ship Tracking Methods
In the face of rising costs from traditional data providers, we strategically decided to supplement our satellite AIS data with terrestrial AIS data from sources like AISstream.io. This decision goes beyond cost-saving; it enhances our agility and responsiveness by integrating multiple data streams, ensuring our customers receive the most reliable and comprehensive ship tracking.
AISstream.io is powered by an open-source community, which aligns with our commitment to participating in and benefiting from evolving technology. However, it's crucial to note that we do not solely rely on this community-driven data. We continue to use satellite AIS data from trusted vendors, ensuring global coverage and service guarantees. This hybrid approach, combining satellite and terrestrial data, allows us to provide real-time shipment updates with increased reliability, especially in and around ports.
This is not a pivot away from satellite data but a strategic enhancement of our data sources. We continuously improve our data sources. Our customers can expect an even more robust system in the coming weeks that leans heavily on satellite data, supplemented by free terrestrial sources for added data redundancy. This approach ensures that ship location data is both comprehensive and reliable, giving our customers confidence in our services during transit and in port.
Turning Data into Actionable Insights
Data by itself is just the beginning. The real value comes from turning raw data into actionable insights:
- Defining Port Boundaries: Our team has precisely mapped port boundaries, enabling us to track when a ship enters or leaves a port accurately.
- Generating Event Alerts: We create alerts for key events, such as arrivals and departures, to keep our customers informed.
The Broader Impact on Logistics
Our approach to AIS data is part of a larger trend in logistics: the shift toward real-time, data-driven decision-making. Here’s how we’re making it happen:
- Real-Time Data Streaming: We utilize cutting-edge technologies to instantly receive and process AIS data. Using tools like Google Cloud Platform and BigQuery ensures that AIS data is streamed, stored, and processed efficiently.
- Efficient Event Processing: Our system quickly analyzes data to determine ship positions and generate timely alerts. We use streaming ingestion, where AIS data is received as soon as it’s sent, and process it in micro-batches—small, rapid batches that enable near real-time action. This approach allows us to deliver updates faster than traditional batch processing, with plans to move towards full streaming in the future for even greater efficiency.
- Advanced Workflow Management: Using tools like Dagster, we efficiently manage tasks and ensure seamless data flow. This workflow orchestration tool triggers and manages software jobs, ensuring that our data processing tasks are executed in the correct order and that dependencies are handled effectively.
The Future of Maritime Logistics
By embracing new technologies and adapting to industry changes, we are not just improving our services—we are setting new standards for the logistics industry. Our focus on real-time, data-driven insights allows us to offer:
- Enhanced Visibility: Customers can track their cargo in real-time, knowing exactly where it is at any moment.
- Informed Decision-Making: Up-to-date information enables better planning and execution.
- Proactive Notifications: Timely alerts keep customers informed of key events, reducing uncertainty.
- Cost Efficiency: May be important to make it clear that the free sources are only used to supplement the traditional, more reliable sources. Still cost efficient though; we give them better data without charging them more money.
In our blog post about leveraging quality data for environmental compliance, we highlighted the importance of high-quality data in meeting environmental standards. The same commitment to data quality underpins our AIS tracking system. By ensuring that the data we use is accurate and timely, we help our customers track their shipments, meet compliance requirements, and achieve their environmental goals.
At Terminal49, we believe that staying ahead means continually evolving with technology. Our advancements in AIS data utilization are just one example of how we are driving innovation in the logistics sector. We are excited about the future and committed to leading the way with transparent, reliable, and efficient solutions for our customers.
FAQs
Q: How often are AIS events processed? A: According to aisstream.io, as many as 300 location reports can be received per second. Different message types are sent at different intervals, but generally, the data is very high in velocity. We are only currently processing AIS Location reports. These are sent every 2-10 seconds while a vessel is "under way" and every 3 minutes while anchored, according to the Coast guard website.
Q: Can we track ships in the middle of the ocean? A: Our system primarily uses terrestrial AIS data, which has a range limit and is most effective for tracking ships as they approach or leave ports and track ships with our new satellite AIS data integration.
Q: What is a workflow orchestrator, and why is it important? A: A workflow orchestrator, like Dagster, is a tool that manages and triggers various software jobs, ensuring they run in the correct order. It handles dependencies, making sure that if one job relies on another, it runs in the correct sequence. This is crucial for processing our AIS data efficiently and accurately.
Q: How do you ensure data quality? A: We use precise methods to define port boundaries and generate accurate event alerts. Our commitment to data quality is reflected in every process step, from data collection to processing and alert generation. This ensures that the information we provide is reliable and timely.
Q: How does this new system benefit Terminal49 users? A: Our system offers real-time updates, better planning capabilities, proactive notifications, and cost savings. Providing high-quality, timely information, we help our customers make informed decisions and improve their logistics operations.
