# VesselFinder Scraper — Ship Particulars, Destination & ETA (`hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper`) Actor

Scrape ship data from VesselFinder by vessel name or IMO/MMSI: IMO, MMSI, callsign, type, flag, year built, length, beam, gross tonnage, deadweight, draught, course, speed, destination, ETA, last port, departure time and last position report.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [hiper soft](https://apify.com/hipersoft) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $0.0015 / vessel

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## VesselFinder Scraper: Ship Particulars, Destination, ETA and Voyage Data

**VesselFinder Scraper** extracts ship data from **VesselFinder**, one of the most popular **AIS vessel tracking** sites covering container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, cruise ships, ferries, tugs and fishing vessels worldwide. Search by **vessel name** (every matching ship) or look up exact **IMO or MMSI numbers**, and get the **vessel name, IMO, MMSI, callsign, ship type, flag, year built, length overall, beam, gross tonnage, net tonnage, deadweight, TEU, current draught, navigation status, course, speed, approximate position, time of last position report, destination port and ETA, last port and departure time**. Export to **CSV, Excel or JSON**. Ideal for **shipping and logistics companies, freight forwarders, commodity traders, port agents, maritime analysts and insurers**.

### What does VesselFinder Scraper do?

- 🚢 **Any vessel worldwide**: container ships, tankers, bulkers, cruise ships, ferries, tugs…
- 🔎 **Search by name**: all ships whose name matches (e.g. every "Maersk" vessel).
- 🔢 **Look up by IMO or MMSI** number.
- 🏷️ **Particulars**: callsign, type, flag, year built, length, beam, GT, NT, DWT, TEU.
- 🧭 **Voyage**: course, speed, draught, navigation status, last position report.
- 🗺️ **Destination and ETA**, **last port and departure time**.

### What data can you scrape from VesselFinder?

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity | Vessel ID, link, name, IMO, MMSI, callsign |
| Type | Ship type, flag |
| Particulars | Year built, length, beam, gross tonnage, net tonnage, deadweight, TEU |
| Voyage\* | Current draught, navigation status, course, speed, approximate latitude/longitude, last position report |
| Route\* | Destination, ETA, last port, departure time |

\* With **Full vessel details** turned on (default).

### Use cases for vessel data

- **Logistics and freight forwarding**: check where a ship is heading and when it arrives.
- **Commodity trading**: monitor tanker and bulk carrier destinations and ETAs.
- **Port agents and terminals**: plan for incoming vessels.
- **Fleet benchmarking**: compare particulars of fleets by owner name.
- **Maritime research and insurance**: build vessel databases with tonnage and age.

### How to scrape VesselFinder

1. Click **Try for free** to open VesselFinder Scraper in Apify Console.
2. Enter **vessel names** and/or **IMO or MMSI numbers**.
3. Keep **Full vessel details** on for voyage and route data.
4. Set **Max vessels** and click **Start**.
5. Download the vessels as **CSV, Excel or JSON**.

### Input

#### Example input

```json
{
  "vesselNames": ["Maersk", "Ever"],
  "imoOrMmsi": ["9928188"],
  "includeDetails": true,
  "maxItems": 200
}
```

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Vessel names** | Full or partial names; all matches collected. |
| **IMO or MMSI numbers** | Exact identifiers. |
| **Full vessel details** | Adds voyage, route and full particulars. |
| **Max vessels** | Stop after this many (0 = no limit). |

### Output

#### Vessel example

```json
{
  "vesselId": "9928188",
  "url": "https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9928188",
  "name": "MAERSK ACADIA",
  "imo": "9928188",
  "mmsi": "352002065",
  "callsign": "3E3754",
  "vesselType": "Container Ship",
  "flag": "Panama",
  "yearBuilt": 2022,
  "lengthM": 200,
  "beamM": 36.4,
  "grossTonnage": 42799,
  "deadweight": 49953,
  "currentDraughtM": 12.6,
  "courseDeg": 187.3,
  "speedKnots": 14.3,
  "positionReceived": "6 days ago",
  "destination": "San Antonio, Chile",
  "eta": "Oct 10, 09:00",
  "lastPort": "Rio Grande, Brazil",
  "lastPortDeparture": "Oct 2, 06:02 UTC"
}
```

#### Output schema

| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `vesselId`, `url`, `name`, `imo`, `mmsi`, `callsign` | string | Identity. |
| `vesselType`, `flag` | string | Type. |
| `yearBuilt`, `lengthM`, `beamM`, `grossTonnage`, `netTonnage`, `deadweight`, `teu` | number | Particulars. |
| `currentDraughtM`, `navigationStatus`, `courseDeg`, `speedKnots`, `approxLatitude`, `approxLongitude`, `positionReceived` | mixed | Voyage. |
| `destination`, `eta`, `lastPort`, `lastPortDeparture` | string | Route. |
| `search`, `scrapedAt` | string | Source info. |

### How much does it cost?

VesselFinder Scraper uses **pay-per-vessel** pricing: a small fixed price per vessel, with automatic discounts on higher Apify plans. See the **Pricing** tab for the exact price.

### More data

- [Collecting Cars Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/collectingcars-scraper): collector car auctions.
- [Bid on Equipment Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/bidonequipment-scraper): used industrial equipment.

### FAQ

**Is the position exact?**
Latitude and longitude are approximate (rounded) as publicly shown; use destination, ETA, course and speed for voyage tracking.

**Can I track a whole fleet?**
Yes. Enter the operator name (e.g. "Maersk") or a list of IMO numbers.

**What formats can I export?**
CSV, Excel, JSON, XML, HTML and RSS, or read the results through the Apify API.

**Can I integrate VesselFinder Scraper with other apps?**
VesselFinder Scraper can be connected with almost any cloud service or web app thanks to [integrations on the Apify platform](https://apify.com/integrations). It works with [Make](https://apify.com/integrations/make), [Zapier](https://apify.com/integrations/zapier), [Slack](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/slack), [Airbyte](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/airbyte), [GitHub](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/github), [Google Drive](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/drive) and [many more](https://apify.com/integrations), plus the [Apify API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2), JS/Python clients and MCP. Or use [webhooks](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/webhooks) to trigger an action whenever a run finishes.

**Is it legal to scrape VesselFinder?**
The scraper only collects publicly visible vessel information. You are responsible for using the data in line with VesselFinder's terms and applicable law.

### Related Actors

- [Bid on Equipment Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/bidonequipment-scraper)
- [Collecting Cars Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/collectingcars-scraper)

### Notes

Original clean-room implementation. Returns only public data. Not affiliated with VesselFinder.

# Actor input Schema

## `vesselNames` (type: `array`):

Full or partial ship names, e.g. Maersk, Ever Given, MSC Gulsun, Queen Mary. Every matching vessel is collected.

## `imoOrMmsi` (type: `array`):

Optional exact IMO (7 digits) or MMSI (9 digits) numbers, e.g. 9928188 or 352002065.

## `includeDetails` (type: `boolean`):

Open each vessel page for IMO, MMSI, callsign, tonnage, draught, course, speed, destination, ETA, last port and last position report.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Stop after this many vessels. 0 means no limit.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Not required for normal use.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "vesselNames": [
    "Maersk"
  ],
  "includeDetails": true,
  "maxItems": 50,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

The results as dataset items.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "vesselNames": [
        "Maersk"
    ],
    "maxItems": 50
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "vesselNames": ["Maersk"],
    "maxItems": 50,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "vesselNames": [
    "Maersk"
  ],
  "maxItems": 50
}' |
apify call hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,hipersoft/vesselfinder-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/b8srvcAV9lPoVslMn/builds/rku4nY3xMkWUCVbob/openapi.json