How Much Does MarineTraffic Cost (2025)—and What Are You Really Getting?

In 2025, logistics professionals face more than just tight margins—they face constant uncertainty. Tariff shifts, port congestion, and new compliance rules are making real-time shipment visibility essential, not optional.

MarineTraffic is one of the most well-known vessel tracking platforms, offering AIS-based tracking of ships worldwide. But here’s the real question: Is knowing where the ship is enough for your operation?

This article breaks down MarineTraffic’s pricing and capabilities, and helps you decide whether vessel tracking alone serves your needs—or whether a more complete shipment visibility solution could save you more in the long run.

MarineTraffic Pricing Overview (2025)

MarineTraffic offers a range of subscription plans, each unlocking different levels of access to vessel data, historical analytics, and satellite AIS tracking. Here’s a breakdown of what it costs:

Plan/Feature	Monthly Price (USD)	Annual Price (USD)	Notes
Basic Web Plan	$10	~$120	Essential vessel tracking
Standard (Local Ops)	~$21 (£16.50)		Local monitoring, more features
Professional	~$75 (£59)		Detailed analytics, more vessels
VIP Account		$30	Advanced analytics, vessel particulars
Starter Plan (App)		$9.99	Unlimited app features
Nautical Charts (App)	$6.99	$66.99	Nautical mapping tools
Weather Maps (App)	$8.99	$95.99	Weather layers for voyage planning
Advanced Density Maps (App)	$1.99	$17.99	Shipping density insights
Access Plus 24 (App)	$0.99 per ship		24-hour satellite tracking per vessel
Free Plan	Free	Free	Limited features, terrestrial AIS only

Note: Prices may vary by region and exclude VAT. Satellite AIS tracking typically incurs additional costs per vessel or fleet.

What MarineTraffic Does Best

MarineTraffic has become the go-to tool for many in the maritime industry looking for detailed vessel tracking. If your focus is on knowing where ships are, here’s where MarineTraffic stands out:

Global Vessel Coverage: Real-time AIS tracking using terrestrial and satellite data for vessels worldwide.
Fleet Monitoring: Monitor multiple ships with customizable fleet lists and alerts (depending on your plan).
Historical Voyage Playback: View past voyages, routes, and port calls for analysis or compliance.
Vessel Technical Data: Access ship particulars, including IMO, MMSI, call sign, and more.

These features make MarineTraffic a strong choice for fleet operators, shipowners, and maritime enthusiasts who want to stay informed about vessel movements across oceans and ports.

Why MarineTraffic Isn’t Always Enough for Real-World Logistics

MarineTraffic excels at showing where ships are—but many logistics professionals need more than vessel dots on a map. In today’s volatile supply chains, knowing your cargo’s exact status is essential for making real-time decisions and keeping customers informed.

Here’s where MarineTraffic often falls short, especially for LSPs and shippers:

No Master B/L or Container-Level Tracking: MarineTraffic tracks vessels, not your specific shipment. You can’t see if your container has been unloaded, delayed in transshipment, or sitting at a terminal.
Limited Operational Insight: No direct visibility into port congestion, chassis availability, or customs clearance delays. Many users still rely on port websites and manual workarounds for this info.
No Predictive Tools: MarineTraffic doesn’t offer predictive ETAs, disruption alerts, or shipment risk forecasting—critical tools for proactive logistics management.
Extra Costs for Real Utility: To get satellite coverage, historical data, or multiple vessel tracking, you’ll need add-ons. These fees add up quickly for growing teams or complex operations.

“MarineTraffic is good for vessel location, but I can’t see where my containers are.”

“I found myself juggling port sites, cameras, and MarineTraffic just to get one shipment update.”

“Costs add up fast—satellite, analytics, vessel count—it’s all separate.”

“Sometimes I just want to know what’s stuck in transshipment, not just ship positions.”

As logistics challenges grow in 2025—trade disputes, port bottlenecks, and rising customer expectations—LSPs need more than just vessel tracking. They need shipment visibility that adapts to their operations and helps avoid costly surprises.

What Does MarineTraffic Really Cost to You?

The price of MarineTraffic depends not just on the plan you choose—but on how well it fits your operational needs.

If your goal is simply to track where a ship is, MarineTraffic might provide enough value at a relatively low monthly cost. However, if your business depends on managing shipments, not just ships, the value proposition shifts.

Do you need to track multiple containers tied to a single shipment?
Do you manage transshipments or work across multiple carriers?
Do your customers expect visibility into delivery timelines and updates?

As your visibility needs grow, so does the complexity—and cost—of trying to piece it together with tools focused solely on vessel location. The true cost isn’t just the subscription fee—it’s the potential for missed updates, delayed responses, and customer dissatisfaction in a fast-moving logistics world.

A Smarter Approach: Shipment Visibility Built for Logistics Teams

If your focus is on delivering results for your clients and managing logistics proactively, vessel tracking alone might not be enough. Today’s supply chains require:

Real-time shipment tracking, including vessel, container, and Master B/L data.
Predictive analytics that help you stay ahead of delays and disruptions.
Customizable dashboards and APIs to integrate with your systems.
Client-facing tools like real-time tracking widgets for better communication.

TRADLINX Ocean Visibility offers this broader perspective, helping logistics providers manage their shipments from port to port with clarity, flexibility, and control. It’s not about tracking more ships—it’s about tracking smarter, with the tools that align to your business goals.

Conclusion: Track Smarter, Not Just More

MarineTraffic is a powerful tool for vessel tracking—but in today’s logistics world, knowing where the ship is often isn’t enough.

If your success depends on knowing where your shipment is, what’s causing delays, and how to communicate with your clients in real time, it’s worth exploring tools designed for shipment visibility, not just ship location.

Tools like TRADLINX Ocean Visibility offer real-time tracking for vessels, containers, and Master B/Ls—plus predictive analytics and client-facing widgets—all built for logistics teams who want clarity, control, and efficiency in every move.

Before you decide, ask yourself: Do I want to track ships—or do I want to track my shipments?

Why overpay for visibility? TRADLINX saves you 40% with transparent per–Master B/L pricing. Get 99% accuracy, 12 updates daily, and 80% ETA accuracy improvements, trusted by 83,000+ logistics teams and global leaders like Samsung and LG Chem.