ShipXplorer aggregates real-time AIS data from various data sources including its network of ground-based AIS receivers. These AIS receivers are sent to volunteers around the world who install and share vessel traffic and movement data from their geographic region. So “hosting a receiver” simply refers to someone who has been sent an AIS receiver, has set it up and is sharing AIS data via the internet with ShipXplorer.

An AIS feeder or sharer (they mean the same thing) is a person, usually a volunteer, who shares real-time AIS data with ShipXplorer via the AIS receiver that ShipXplorer has sent them or by using their own setup.

Before we send you a receiver, you’ll need to make sure that you can fulfil the following requirements …

• Feeders must live within 5 km of their country’s coastline.
• Feeders should have satisfactory reception conditions with a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the sky.
• Feeders must be able to start feeding / sharing within 1 week from the date of delivery.
• Feeders must be able to keep the receiver online 24/7.
• If the feeder can no longer host the AIS equipment, ShipXplorer will arrange for the receiver to be picked up and sent back to the company.

An internet connection with modem or router and a place like a roof or a pole to mount (fix) the antenna.

First, make sure that you fulfill the aforementioned criteria. Next, submit an application to host an AIS receiver here.

It generally takes 3 days before you hear back from us with a decision. Once your application is approved, it can take between 7 – 14 business days for you to receive your unit.

The ShipXplorer website has an entire page dedicated to explaining what AIS is, and how it works work. Check it out here.

To filter out a certain type of vessel, simply navigate to the right sidebar on the map and select the filter option. Then choose Vessel Type and select or deselect the vessels you wish to see or hide. Next toggle the enable filter button and your changes will immediately reflect on the map. Alternatively, you can select or deselect vessel types using the colored buttons found at the bottom of the map.

First, select the desired port or vessel that needs to be bookmarked. Next, click the “STAR” icon on the vessel card (on the left side of your screen). If the vessel or port has been successfully bookmarked, the star will turn yellow. To access bookmarked ports or vessels, click on the “star” icon found on the menu bar.

To search for a vessel or port, click on the “magnifying glass” icon located on the menu bar. Next enter the vessel number or port name into the search bar. Then select the vessel or port from the results displayed.

To view our AIS coverage map, visit this page.

To learn more about adding the ShipXplorer widget on to your website or blog, visit https://www.shipxplorer.com/widget.

To view vessels tracked by AIS satellite, visit this page

There could be various reasons. However, the most common reason is corrupted or incomplete data received from an AIS unit or from one of our external feeds. ShipXplorer, through various mechanisms, regularly tries to correct these errors when they occur.

You can either email customer support at – Or send us your report using the CONTACT US form.