AIS Technical Reference

Vessel Types & Cargo Codes

Complete reference to AIS ship type codes. Understand the numeric codes used to classify vessels in AIS transmissions.

Cargo Types

Passenger Types

Special Craft

Other Types

Understanding Ship Type Codes

Every vessel broadcasting AIS includes a ship type code in its static data (AIS Message Type 5 or 24). This 2-digit code identifies the type of vessel and, for cargo ships, indicates the category of hazardous materials being carried.

The codes range from 20-99 and are organized into ranges: 20-29 for wing in ground effect craft, 30-39 for fishing and service vessels, 40-49 for high-speed craft, 50-59 for special craft, 60-69 for passenger vessels, 70-79 for cargo vessels, and 80-89 for tankers.

How to Interpret Ship Type Codes

First Digit (Tens)

2x = Wing in ground
3x = Fishing, towing, diving
4x = High speed craft
5x = Special craft
6x = Passenger
7x = Cargo
8x = Tanker

Second Digit (Units) for Cargo/Tanker

x0 = All ships of this type
x1 = Hazardous category A
x2 = Hazardous category B
x3 = Hazardous category C
x4 = Hazardous category D
x9 = No additional info

Cargo Vessels & Tankers (Codes 70-89)

Code	Type	Description	Examples
70	Cargo, all ships of this type	General cargo vessel category	General cargo ships
71	Cargo, Hazardous category A	Carrying hazardous materials category A	Chemical tankers
72	Cargo, Hazardous category B	Carrying hazardous materials category B	Gas carriers
73	Cargo, Hazardous category C	Carrying hazardous materials category C	Oil tankers
74	Cargo, Hazardous category D	Carrying hazardous materials category D	Bulk carriers with harmful cargo
79	Cargo, No additional info	Cargo vessel without additional classification	Unspecified cargo
80	Tanker, all ships of this type	General tanker vessel category	Oil tankers, Product tankers
81	Tanker, Hazardous category A	Tanker carrying hazardous materials category A	Chemical tankers
82	Tanker, Hazardous category B	Tanker carrying hazardous materials category B	LNG carriers
83	Tanker, Hazardous category C	Tanker carrying hazardous materials category C	Crude oil tankers
84	Tanker, Hazardous category D	Tanker carrying hazardous materials category D	Product tankers
89	Tanker, No additional info	Tanker without additional classification	Unspecified tanker

Passenger Vessels (Codes 60-69)

Code	Type	Description	Examples
60	Passenger, all ships of this type	General passenger vessel category	Ferries, Cruise ships
61	Passenger, Hazardous category A	Passenger vessel with hazardous cargo A	RoRo passenger ferries
62	Passenger, Hazardous category B	Passenger vessel with hazardous cargo B	Vehicle ferries
63	Passenger, Hazardous category C	Passenger vessel with hazardous cargo C	Mixed cargo ferries
64	Passenger, Hazardous category D	Passenger vessel with hazardous cargo D	Passenger cargo ships
69	Passenger, No additional info	Passenger vessel without additional classification	Cruise ships, Ferries

Special Craft (Codes 50-59)

Code	Type	Description	Examples
50	Pilot Vessel	Vessel used for pilotage services	Pilot boats
51	Search and Rescue	Search and rescue vessel	Coast guard cutters, Rescue boats
52	Tug	Tugboat for towing and pushing	Harbor tugs, Ocean tugs
53	Port Tender	Vessel servicing ports	Supply tenders, Port authority vessels
54	Anti-Pollution Equipment	Vessel with anti-pollution capabilities	Oil spill response vessels
55	Law Enforcement	Law enforcement vessel	Police boats, Customs vessels
56	Spare - Local Vessel	Reserved for local assignment	Regional assignment
57	Spare - Local Vessel	Reserved for local assignment	Regional assignment
58	Medical Transport	Medical transport vessel	Hospital ships, Medical evacuation vessels
59	Noncombatant (RR Resolution No. 18)	Noncombatant vessel under UN Resolution	UN vessels

Other Vessel Types (Codes 20-49, 90)

Code	Type	Description	Examples
20	Wing in Ground (WIG)	Wing in ground effect craft	WIG craft, Ekranoplans
30	Fishing	Fishing vessel	Trawlers, Longliners, Seiners
31	Towing	Vessel engaged in towing	Tugs with tow
32	Towing, Length > 200m	Vessel towing with tow > 200m	Large ocean tugs
33	Dredging or Underwater Ops	Dredger or underwater operations	Dredgers, Diving support vessels
34	Diving Operations	Vessel engaged in diving operations	Diving support vessels
35	Military Operations	Vessel engaged in military operations	Naval vessels, Military support
36	Sailing	Sailing vessel	Sailboats, Tall ships
37	Pleasure Craft	Pleasure or recreational vessel	Yachts, Motor cruisers
40	High Speed Craft (HSC)	High speed craft	Fast ferries, Hydrofoils
90	Other Type, all ships	Other vessel type	Miscellaneous

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Vessel Types & Cargo Codes

Understanding Ship Type Codes

How to Interpret Ship Type Codes

Cargo Vessels & Tankers (Codes 70-89)

Passenger Vessels (Codes 60-69)

Special Craft (Codes 50-59)

Other Vessel Types (Codes 20-49, 90)

Related Resources

Navigation Status

AIS Message Types

Vessel Particulars API

AIS Data Explained

Filter Vessels by Type