The Danish Maritime Authority has said that it makes historical AIS data available to everybody as a supplement to the current solution with access to live AIS data.
AIS is an English abbreviation for Automatic Identification System. AIS is a VHF based navigation and anti-collision tool making it possible to exchange ship-to-ship information. This information – the AIS data – is furthermore collected in a shore-based AIS system operated by the Danish Maritime Authority.
It will become possible to continuously get AIS data covering the last two years. Historical data from October 2014 will be available (in Danish) from www.soefartsstyrelsen.dk under AIS data. Historical data can, for example, be used to analyse navigation patterns.
Also in 2017, the Danish Maritime Authority expects to open up for AIS data from before October 2014 on its webpage for a limited period of time.
Troels Blicher Danielsen, Deputy Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority said:
”By means of more open data, we hope to contribute to increased growth in Blue Denmark. Open data may help create innovation in the maritime industries.”
The Danish Maritime Authority makes its historical AIS data available to everybody so that those who may wish this in the future can themselves make AIS analyses. This also means that the Danish Maritime Authority will no longer make AIS analyses under the scheme on commercial services rendered by public organisations.
It will still be possible to get access to live AIS data from the webpage of the Danish Maritime Authority. The fee for this will be between DKK 1,800 and 5,600 a year depending on the type of access chosen.
AIS data are opened as so-called CSV files.
On the following ships, there is a carriage requirement for AIS transponders:
• All ships above 300 gross tonnage
• All passenger ships
• All fishing vessels with a length above 15 metres.
Small vessels can be fitted with AIS class B equipment – but it is not a requirement.
Source & Image credit: DMA
