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MarineTraffic

Live positions of the world's merchant fleet, container ships down to tugs, most vessels with photographs taken by shore spotters.

Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.

How to get the most from it

MarineTraffic sits in Flight & Ship Tracking under Wander, filed as instant.

  • Just open it. It pays off within seconds, with nothing to read first.
  • It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
  • It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
  • No account needed — you can start without signing up.
  • Go in expecting something mesmerising and useful.

About this category: Aircraft, cargo ships, trains and satellites moving live on a map. Startling the first time you realise how much is in the air at once.

Good for

  • A five-second distraction
  • Watching something hypnotic for a while
  • Getting something practical done
  • A quiet break at your desk
  • Killing time on your phone
  • Trying it with zero commitment

MarineTraffic: quick answers

Is MarineTraffic free?

Yes. MarineTraffic is free to use and needs no account.

Do I need an account to use MarineTraffic?

No. You can use MarineTraffic without signing up for anything.

Does MarineTraffic work on a phone?

Yes. MarineTraffic works on phones as well as desktop browsers.

Is MarineTraffic safe for work?

Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.

How long does MarineTraffic take?

We file it as "Instant": Good within five seconds of loading.

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