Free AIS data.
Request vessel positions and recent tracks, follow live AIS messages or explore ships on a map. A free Pelyr account gives you access to the HTTPS API, AIS Stream and Vessel Map.
Free access is for non-commercial use. Limits and source attribution apply.
Use a free AIS API.
Find vessels and tracks.
Request vessels in an area, find one by MMSI, IMO or name, and retrieve recent tracks as JSON. Create a free key to make authenticated requests.
Explore the HTTPS API{
"generated_at": "2026-08-30T14:22:10Z",
"count": 1,
"truncated": false,
"vessels": [
{
"mmsi": 244660123,
"position": {
"lat": 51.18597,
"lon": 5.964237,
"sog": 6.8,
"cog": 90.8,
"heading": 273,
"nav_status": 0,
"rot": null,
"pos_accuracy": false,
"msg_type": 1,
"ts": "2026-08-30T14:22:11Z",
"license": "100",
"plausibility": "high",
"flags": []
},
"static": {
"name": "EXAMPLE TRADER",
"type": 70,
"imo": 9543756,
"callsign": "V7WW7",
"dest": "ROTTERDAM",
"draught": 6.8,
"eta": "11-06T03:00",
"length": 257,
"beam": 43,
"dim_a": 214,
"dim_b": 43,
"dim_c": 24,
"dim_d": 19,
"ts": "2026-08-30T13:47:02Z",
"license": "1"
}
}
]
}{
"type": "position",
"id": "1755183845123-0",
"license": "100",
"data": {
"mmsi": 230123456,
"msg_type": 1,
"lat": 60.161234,
"lon": 24.934567,
"sog": 12.3,
"cog": 45.6,
"heading": 47,
"rx_ts": "2026-08-13T10:00:00Z"
}
}Stay with the movement.
Receive new reports.
Open a WebSocket connection for incoming AIS messages. Subscribe by area, MMSI or message type and follow the traffic relevant to your project.
Explore AIS StreamSee the ships.
Follow the journey.
Explore current vessel positions, inspect available details and replay recorded tracks in your browser. The free map is included with your account.
Explore the Vessel Map
Know what you can use.
The API, stream and map are free with an account for non-commercial use. These limits come from the current Free plan; check pricing for all plan details.
Compare plans- HTTPS API
- 2 requests per minute per key
- Live stream
- 2 concurrent connections
- Vessels by MMSI
- Up to 50 specified vessels across streams
- Track history
- 3 days back at 1h, 6h, 1d resolution
- Free map
- Save up to 5 vessels
From key to vessel data.
Create a free account, make an API key and enable HTTPS API. Send the key from your server as a bearer token. For example, request a vessel snapshot inside a bounding box:
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $PELYR_KEY" "https://api.pelyr.com/v1/vessels?bbox=5,51,7,52&max=100"What this access includes.
AIS reports can be delayed or missing. Pelyr combines messages from its receiving network and other sources; see the data sources for attribution. AIS data is for information, not navigation or safety decisions.
Free access offers a map, limited API and stream use, and recent track history. It is not a bulk historical AIS download. Commercial use needs an appropriate paid plan or separate agreement; read the data licence before using the data.
Questions about free AIS data.
Is AIS data free?
Pelyr offers free AIS access for non-commercial projects through its vessel map, HTTPS API and live stream. You need an account, and the Free plan limits and attribution rules apply.
Do I need an account?
Yes. Use a free account for the map and create a key for the HTTPS API or AIS Stream.
Can I use Free in a commercial product?
No. The Free developer and map plans are for non-commercial use. See the paid plans and data licence.
Can I download a complete AIS archive?
Bulk historical data extracts are not available. Free includes recent tracks within its history and resolution limits.
Build with a free key. Or open the map.
Start in your browser, or connect the API and stream to your own non-commercial project.
Get a free API key