AIS, One Ocean

Global Maritime Traffic and the Footprint of Hurricane Irma This data visualization provides a comprehensive look at global marine traffic over a 30-day period, capturing the immense scale of human activity on the high seas. Powered by the Automatic Identification System (AIS)—a tracking mechanism used by ships to broadcast their position, speed, and heading—the map reveals the complex network of routes that span the globe. Beyond mapping normal operations, this particular 30-day window isolates a dramatic disruption: the passage of Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. The Color-Coded Global Fleets The map uses a distinct color scheme to categorize vessels by their primary function, allowing viewers to see how different sectors utilize the ocean: Dark Red: Represents shipping and cargo vessels. These massive container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers form the dense, continuous arteries connecting global economies. Yellow: Represents commercial fishing vessels. These are concentrated primarily along rich coastal shelves and specific oceanic upwellings. Pink and Yellow: Highlights recreational fishing vessels, which typically cluster much closer to shorelines and island communities. Purple and Light Red: Denotes vessels dedicated to transportation, including passenger ferries and regional transport networks. Global Corridors and Daily Pulses As the 30-day loop plays, two distinct patterns emerge across the global canvas. First, the favorite global shipping lanes stand out as bright, heavily traveled highways. Major choke points like the English Channel, the Strait of Malacca, the Suez Canal, and the Panama Canal glow intensely due to the concentrated volume of dark red cargo vessels.