Marine transport is essential to the global economy; more than 90 percent of the world’s trade carried by water, since it is the most cost-effective option for moving goods, commodities, and raw materials worldwide. With millions of vessels on the move at any moment in time, AIS data can provide a clear, complete picture of maritime activity in real-time or near-real-time. Genscape Vesseltracker AIS data derived from satellites and terrestrial antennas share insight into real-time vessel movements, marine traffic, and the global flow of commodities. Genscape Vesseltracker has a vast network of antenna partners, which is constantly adding new antennas to new locations to deliver higher levels of transparency and clarity into the market.
From December 23, 2016 to January 25, 2017, Genscape Vesseltracker added eleven installed antennas and coverage locations throughout Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Tunisia, Paraguay, and Mexico. The frequent installation of new antennas is a reflection of Genscape Vesseltracker’s strong and extensive AIS satellite network.
Here are a few of Vesseltracker’s new antenna locations:
Port of Chittagong, Bangladesh
The Port of Chittagong is considered the heart of the Bangladesh economy. Its geographic location, combined with the country’s plentiful, affordable labor, makes it a popular hub for foreign trade. The port is responsible for more than 90 percent of the country’s international trade. This percentage may rise with Bangladesh’s intent to double its apparel exports to $50 billion dollars by 2021. Since 2015, there has already been a rapid increase in cargo handling and ship diversification seen throughout the port.
Genscape Vesseltracker’s Cockpit tool has the ability track movements of these diverse cargos. This includes vessel types such as, cargo ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, gas tankers, fishing vessels, and more. By understanding their arrival times, cargo size, and static data, traders can utilize this information to optimize their trading decisions.
Port of Paknampran, Thailand
Genscape Vesseltracker not only has AIS coverage in some of the world’s largest ports, but also in areas where vessel density is quite low. The Port of Paknampran in Thailand is an example of a new antenna location that provides visibility into activity circulating around a small town marina. This is important for a number of reasons. For ships that have AIS enabled, marina owners can provide higher-quality services to them by tracking their arrival and being available at the time the ship enters the area. They can set up coastal alerts that will send an email when the vessel enters a certain range. By providing high-quality service, marina owners and operators can generate new business and carry out efficient operations.
Port of Asuncion, Paraguay
In addition to providing AIS data into port movements and marina activity, Genscape Vesseltracker’s antennas also assist with tracking infrastructure projects. The newly installed antenna at the Port of Asuncion in Paraguay is home to Paraguay’s public works and communication ministry’s project, which aims to redevelop the port and areas surrounding the Paraguay River.
Similar to the winding waterways of the Mississippi River, the natural infrastructure of Paraguay’s rivers makes it difficult for larger vessels to navigate without running into grounding trouble or maneuvering issues. This problem calls for a great deal of dredging, which refers to cleaning out the bed of a river (or other area of water) by removing mud, weeds, and waste. The process can halt ship traffic and slow the movement of goods. Understanding the cargo movements is crucial since “approximately 80 percent of goods consumed in Paraguay arrive in the country via the river,” said Ramón Jiménez Gaona, Paraguay’s Minister of Public Works.
As dredging operations continue, doors may open for Paraguay and the world economy as a whole. Genscape Vesseltracker data can help pin point specific dredgers moving throughout the river, which can provide insight into the project’s progress.
Genscape Vesseltracker’s extensive AIS satellite network provides the world’s most comprehensive and accurate picture of global shipping. By constantly adding antenna locations, Genscape Vesseltracker shares insight into real-time or near-real-time ship movements. To learn more about Genscape Vesseltracker, or to request a free trial, please click here.