In the course QGIS vessel tracking you learn to use the QAIS plugin. This plugin is a messaging system which commercial vessels use to broadcast critical navigation information via a transponder. The plugin for reads and decodes AIS messages and displays live targets on the map layout. With a simple, commercially available AIS receiver, you can convert QGIS into a powerful maritime tool; tracking targets, capturing navigational data and setting geofences.
QGIS is a versatile open-source GIS platform that can seamlessly integrate maritime data, enabling users to monitor, analyze, and visualize vessel movements with precision. By combining QGIS with AIS (Automatic Identification System) data through specialized plugins, you can track ship positions, study maritime traffic patterns, and support operational decision-making. That’s why QGIS with AIS data is essential for professionals in maritime logistics, port operations, marine safety, environmental monitoring, and coastal management.
Using QGIS and the AIS plugin, you can import, filter, and manage vessel tracking data to gain insights into ship routes, speeds, behaviors, and operational zones. Its robust geospatial tools make it possible to convert large AIS datasets into clear visual overviews, analytical layers, and actionable outputs.
But QGIS isn’t only for map viewing. With processing tools and automation capabilities, you can clean AIS data, derive trajectories, detect anomalies, and create time-series analyses to understand vessel movements over hours, days, or months. Whether you’re monitoring traffic density, studying fleet activity, mapping environmental risks, or analyzing port congestion, QGIS with AIS gives you the power to turn raw tracking information into meaningful maritime intelligence.
This blended learning course helps you combine flexible self-study with guided sessions, allowing you to build hands-on skills that directly support real-world maritime analysis and decision-making.
This course introduces you to QGIS with a focus on maritime tracking using AIS data. You’ll learn to access, process, and interpret vessel movement data to address operational and analytical challenges in the marine domain.
You’ll begin with the QGIS interface, GIS fundamentals, and an introduction to AIS data structures. Then, you’ll practice importing AIS datasets, understanding key message types, managing timestamps, and working with point and line geometries.
Next, you’ll move into practical applications: reconstructing vessel tracks, analyzing traffic density, detecting behavioral patterns, and identifying restricted-area violations. You’ll also explore methods for visualizing real-time or near-real-time updates, creating heatmaps, and deriving speed, heading, and course-over-ground analyses.
Finally, you’ll learn how to integrate AIS data into broader maritime workflows, produce clear map outputs, and complete a hands-on project—such as analyzing vessel activity in a port area or along a shipping corridor.
By the end, you’ll be ready to work independently with QGIS and AIS data to perform vessel tracking, pattern analysis, and maritime decision-support tasks with confidence.
Why choose this QGIS Vessel Tracking course?
The blended learning format combines live instruction with self-paced modules, giving you the flexibility to build practical GIS and maritime analytics skills at your own rhythm. You’ll learn not just how to visualize AIS data, but how to transform it into valuable insights.
The course begins with a live session where expert trainers guide you through loading AIS data, exploring vessel attributes, and creating your first tracking maps. You’ll learn how to manage datasets, filter vessel types, and prepare your workspace for deeper analysis.
Then you’ll continue through the self-paced lessons, where you’ll practice building tracklines, analyzing movement behavior, generating density maps, and working with time-aware visualizations.
A second live session focuses on applying your new skills to a realistic marine scenario—such as monitoring port traffic, studying shipping lanes, or assessing environmental risks. During this session you’ll troubleshoot real challenges, refine outputs, and receive personalized feedback.
One of the strengths of this course is its emphasis on applied results. You’ll produce ready-to-use maps and analyses—track visualizations, density plots, anomaly detections, and vessel behavior reports—that can support maritime operations, research, and policy decisions.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to use QGIS and AIS data to support safer, smarter, and more efficient maritime decision-making.
You’ll receive 1-on-1 guidance. After signing up, our course coordinator will contact you to schedule your first session.
Do you have questions about the course content? Not sure if the course aligns with your learning objectives? Or would you prefer a private session or in-company training? We’re happy to assist—feel free to get in touch.
Yes. A good basic knowledge of QGIS is important.
You’ll work with sample AIS datasets provided in the course, including point data, vessel attributes, timestamps, and trackline reconstructions.
Yes, the skills you learn—such as handling time-aware layers and visualizing moving vessels—can be applied to both static datasets and real-time feeds. Â
Yes, the course includes hands-on exercises and a final project where you’ll analyze vessel activity and produce professional-quality outputs.
