Vessel Characteristics data provides detailed information on the physical and operational attributes of maritime vessels. It is considered one of the foundational datasets in the maritime domain and includes vessel details such as:

• Vessel name

• Vessel type (e.g., tanker, container, bulk, passenger)

• Dimensions (length overall, beam, draft)

• Gross tonnage and deadweight tonnage (DwT)

• Year built

• Flag state (country of registration)

• Propulsion type and engine specifications

Coverage

Coverage spans the global merchant fleet and, in some datasets, includes non-commercial or auxiliary vessels. Key fields are typically available for:

• Active vessels in international trade

• Newbuilds and scrapped vessels (historical coverage)

• Vessels across major segments (tankers, bulkers, containers, etc.)

  
  

Coverage varies based on the expertise of the sources, larger providers have broad coverage across many vessel types, whereas niche providers have significant expertise in specific sectors.

Sources

Vessel characteristics data is compiled from a range of sources, including:

• Classification societies

• Flag state registries

• Shipyards and manufacturers

• Owner/operator disclosures

Methodology

Data is collected from authoritative registries and technical documentation, then normalised into structured fields.

• Track changes over time (e.g. reflagging, retrofits, ownership)

• Update records at varying intervals depending on the source and internal workflows

• Corroborate with other sources to confirm accuracy

Why This Data?

Vessel characteristics underpin a wide array of maritime workflows:

• Risk management (vessel age, condition, and flag status)

• Commodity trade analysis (capacity constraints, cargo compatibility)

• Business development and CRM (targeting vessel owners/operators by fleet profile)

• Routing, emissions, and regulatory compliance (based on engine type, tonnage, and build year)

Benefits:

• Enhances the accuracy and context of AIS, fixture, and port call data

• Supports segmentation, benchmarking, and fleet profiling