A Study of Satellite AIS Data and the Global Ship Traffic Through the Singapore Strait

Abstract

This thesis investigates the quality and utility of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. AIS is primarily used as a tracking system for ships, but with the launch of satellites to collect these data new and previously untested possibilities are emerging. It is outlined how heuristics can be used to determine specific ship types on the basis of Satellite AIS data. This enables studies with AIS data to be conducted without the previously necessary use of commercial ship databases. The heuristics are used to determine the specific ship type of vessels trafficking the Singapore Strait, which shows how these methods can be employed. The ships sailing in the Singapore Strait are also tracked back to their origin, which shows a broader range for how Satellite AIS data can be employed. The thesis suggests that further work should use this type of data to, for instance do emission analyses for the ship traffic in Singapore Strait through a combination of the heuristics in this data and Satellite AIS data. A global or local study on the prevalence of slow steaming could also be conducted with Satellite AIS data, using the same methods used to analyse the traffic in the Singapore Strait. Heuristics can also be developed for a wider range of vessels and be tested on data from a longer time period. The thesis suggests that further work should use this type of data to, for instance do emission analyses for the ship traffic in Singapore Strait through a combination of the heuristics and these data. A global or local study on the prevalence of slow steaming could also be conducted with Satellite AIS data, using the same methods used to analyse the traffic in the Singapore Strait. Heuristics can also be developed for a wider range of vessels and be tested on data from a longer time period.