FAQ
This site shows Russian ships. The site identifies a Shadow Ship through a variety of indicators, including its declared destination, vessel registration number, presence in an open ship registry, and patterns in course and speed—especially when observed in specific, high-risk locations. Additionally, any known interest or monitoring by law enforcement agencies contributes to flagging a vessel as suspicious or potentially illicit.
This site was created to make it easier to track and visualize the movements of the Russian Shadow Fleet. By presenting this data in an accessible format, it aims to raise awareness, promote transparency, and support researchers, journalists, and the public in monitoring maritime activity linked to Russia.
A Shadow Ship is identified using a combination of indicators, including its declared destination, vessel registration number, listing in an open Shadow Ship registry, and patterns in course and speed—especially when these patterns appear in specific high-risk locations. High-risk areas include sensitive zones such as underwater communication cables, gas pipelines, and other critical infrastructure.
Vessel data shown on this site is sourced from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Aisstream, which provides real-time AIS information.
The site doesn’t track the entire world. The tracked areas include the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Suez Canal. Location data is stored for up to two weeks.
Sometimes vessel tracks “jump” or form unusual shapes. This can be caused by problems with AIS data sources or when a vessel turns its AIS off and on. Odd tracks are especially common near Russia, a region known for AIS and GPS spoofing.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, the data may contain errors, omissions, or delays. Use of this site and its content is at your own risk. The site owner accepts no responsibility for any decisions, actions, or outcomes based on the use of this data.