get_vessel_positionLABSCO SUMMARY
A ship's position, without the tracking site.
Anything that depends on where a hull actually is — an ETA, a delay, a shipment nobody can find — becomes a question you ask in the same place you are writing about it.
What it is
An MCP server over MarineTraffic's AIS API. It resolves vessels by MMSI or IMO number and returns live positions, vessel detail and area queries. The same data is also exposed as resources at vessel://{identifier} and vessels://area/{lat}/{lon}/{radius}.
What you get
- The real-time position of a vessel by MMSI or IMO
- The detail record for that vessel
- Vessels searched by name, MMSI, IMO or vessel type
- Every vessel inside a geographic area given as a centre point and radius
Requirements
Node.js 18 or higher and a MarineTraffic API key from their AIS API Services — it is a paid service. Clone the repository and run npm run build.
Setup effort
Build from source
USE CASES
01
Finding a ship you only know by name
Search by name or vessel type, then take the MMSI that comes back.
02
Answering 'where is it right now'
Look up the live position by MMSI or IMO.
03
Checking you have the right hull
Read the vessel's detail record before acting on a position.
04
Seeing what is in a stretch of water
Query an area by centre point and radius and get every vessel in it.
05
Chasing a late arrival
Resolve the ship by name, then read its position and its details together.
4 tools
Listed in project docs. Your client may show a different list.
get_vessel_detailssearch_vesselsget_vessels_in_areaBEFORE YOU INSTALL
What to know first
Tools you get
4 tools named in the project's documentation.
Requires
- Node.js 18
- MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY in your environment
Where it runs
Both documented clients run the server on your machine.
INSTALLATION
Connect your client
MCP Clients
Claude Desktop
CLAUDE DESKTOP · JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"marinetraffic": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_MARINETRAFFIC_SERVER>/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY": "<YOUR_MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY>"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": []
}
}
}VS Code
VS CODE · JSON
{
"servers": {
"marinetraffic": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_MARINETRAFFIC_SERVER>/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY": "<YOUR_MARINETRAFFIC_API_KEY>"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": []
}
}
}
