BigOceanData
BigOceanData (operated by Maritime Cortex Limited) is a UK-based maritime software company providing a cloud-based platform that combines multi-source vessel tracking, ABB-powered route optimisation and maritime intelligence for fleet operators, ports, governments, insurers and maritime security providers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What BigOceanData does
BigOceanData, operated by Maritime Cortex Limited, is a London-headquartered maritime software company (founded 2016; the underlying business traces to BlueFinger Limited in the early 1990s) that sells a cloud-based maritime operations platform organised around three integrated pillars: Vessel Tracking, Route Optimisation and Maritime Intelligence. The platform fuses terrestrial AIS, satellite AIS, Inmarsat-C and Iridium position reports to deliver global vessel visibility across approximately 450,000 ships and 4,500+ ports, with add-on modules for Fisheries Vessel Monitoring (FVMS) and Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS). Route Optimisation, launched in April 2026, is built on the ABB Ability Vessel Routing API and provides weather-aware, vessel-specific voyage planning with fuel, emissions and ETA optimisation and ECDIS integration.
The company monetises primarily through annual subscription SaaS priced by fleet size (with bolt-on capabilities), supplemented by data services monetisation and white-label/reseller licensing arrangements. Go-to-market is enterprise sales-led with direct engagement, demos and quote-based pricing, supported by a global channel partner programme spanning resellers, data supply partners (Inmarsat, Orbcomm, GroundControl) and technology integrators (Cloudbridge, CMap, Datema, Elektronik Lab). BigOceanData reports a near-100% contract renewal rate and long-tenured relationships with enterprise customers including Maersk, Crisis24, VertomCory, Cory Brothers, Work Safety Boat, Diaplous Maritime Services and government fisheries agencies. The company is privately held, bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding rounds, and operates with 11-50 employees across London and Poole in the United Kingdom.
BigOceanData firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BigOceanData
- Legal name
- Maritime Cortex Limited
- Website
- https://bigoceandata.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BigOceanData (operated by Maritime Cortex Limited) is a UK-based maritime software company providing a cloud-based platform that combines multi-source vessel tracking, ABB-powered route optimisation and maritime intelligence for fleet operators, ports, governments, insurers and maritime security providers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BigOceanData industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Operations Platform (Vessel Tracking & Route Optimisation)
- NAICS
- Navigational Services to Shipping (48833), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ocean Container Visibility (Vessel, Container, Demurrage/Detention) (TLAEADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI), Maritime Single Window & Regulatory Reporting Systems (TLAHAOAB)
Keywords
Where BigOceanData is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
BigOceanData business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription-based SaaS: Core revenue model based on subscription fees for platform access. Subscription charges billed monthly, quarterly or annually with duration of one year. Additional vessels can be added during subscription period with pro-rata charges. Tiered pricing based on fleet size.
- Data Services: Revenue generated from processing and providing AIS data, vessel position reports, and maritime intelligence. Platform processes over 24 million vessel position reports daily.
- White-label/Reseller Licensing: Partners can white-label products for their own clients or offer as chargeable extras. Allows building tools as part of package or standalone offering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Fleet-based subscription tiers |
| Other | Annual | Bolt-on capabilities |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
BigOceanData product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BigOceanData is a cloud-based maritime operations platform that combines real-time vessel tracking, weather-aware route optimisation and maritime intelligence in a single integrated environment. It fuses terrestrial and satellite AIS with Inmarsat-C and Iridium data to provide global vessel visibility across roughly 450,000 vessels and 4,300+ ports, and offers bolt-on capabilities for fisheries VMS and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) management.
Product overview
BigOceanData is a maritime operations platform with a three-pillar architecture built around Vessel Tracking, Route Optimisation and Maritime Intelligence, all delivered as an integrated cloud-based platform. The core Vessel Tracking module provides real-time multi-source AIS visibility, behavioral analytics, voyage replay and SSAS integration. Route Optimisation, launched in April 2026, is a newer module powered by ABB Ability™ Vessel Routing that adds weather-aware voyage planning, fuel and cost optimisation, and ECDIS integration. Maritime Intelligence is the third pillar, providing port monitoring, risk exposure assessment, incident investigation and historical pattern analysis. An additional FVMS (Fisheries Vessel Monitoring System) module serves government and regulatory clients with dedicated Inmarsat and Iridium tracking solutions. All modules share a common data foundation and unified operational picture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Vessel Tracking Real-time vessel tracking powered by multi-source AIS combining terrestrial and satellite feeds with Inmarsat-C and Iridium scheduled reporting. Delivered for ship operators, fleet managers, ports, security providers and government agencies needing global coverage and AIS blackspot resilience; includes integrated SSAS, behavioural analytics, alerts/geofencing, port and anchorage visibility, voyage replay and fleet activity tracking.
- Route Optimisation Weather-aware route optimisation module powered by the ABB Ability Vessel Routing API. For ship operators and fleet managers running commercial vessels; enables route comparison against fuel, time, cost, emissions and ETA, supports optimal-speed routing, mid-voyage re-optimisation and ECDIS integration to keep ship and shore aligned on voyage decisions.
- Maritime Intelligence Operational, risk and historical intelligence module combining port activity, risk context and historical vessel data. For fleet operators, ports, insurers, risk managers and security providers; includes port and area activity monitoring, risk and exposure insight, incident investigation, historical pattern analysis, performance benchmarking, ETA/RTA with alerts, live port departures, port congestion monitoring and reporting dashboards.
- Fisheries Vessel Monitoring System (VMS / FVMS) Specialist shore-based monitoring solution for fisheries compliance and government regulatory agencies. Uses dedicated Inmarsat and Iridium tracking hardware; supports fishing fleet monitoring, catch reporting, zone and EEZ management, and data exchange with fishing authorities for IUU fishing deterrence and quota compliance.
- Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) Integrated Ship Security Alert System enabling security officers to manage ship security alerts and testing procedures, with real-time vessel tracking and monitoring enhanced during active alerts to support rapid and coordinated security responses. Designed for commercial ship operators and maritime security teams managing global fleets.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 100% contract renewal rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BigOceanData
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BigOceanData technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability5 records
Feature8 records
BigOceanData partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ABBcoreABB Ability™ Vessel Routing API powering BigOceanData's Route Optimisation capability. This technology partnership provides weather-aware routing with vessel-specific performance modelling across weather conditions, sea states and speed profiles. Enables route comparison, fuel efficiency calculations, and voyage optimisation.
- Diaplous Maritime ServicescorePartnership since 2020 providing core vessel tracking services and enhanced area monitoring solutions. Delivers real-time intelligence on marine traffic within designated regions for threat detection, operational planning, and incident response. Partnership renewed reflecting growing demand for integrated maritime security.
- InmarsatcoreInmarsat provides satellite communication services including Inmarsat-C position reporting integrated into BigOceanData platform. Supports scheduled position updates for vessels in areas with limited AIS coverage, enhancing global tracking reliability.
- OrbcommsupportingData supply partner providing satellite AIS and tracking data to strengthen the quality and depth of maritime data within the BigOceanData platform.
- CloudbridgesupportingCommercial partner extending maritime offering through reseller arrangement.
- CMapsupportingCommercial partner in maritime sector extending platform reach.
- DatemasupportingMaritime technology partner providing solutions to shipping industry.
- Elektronik LabsupportingTechnology partner delivering maritime solutions.
- GroundControlsupportingData and technology partner providing satellite communication solutions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BigOceanData competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Windward: AI-driven maritime risk and behavioural analytics provider for government, financial institutions and shipping - competing in the same Maritime Intelligence/anomaly detection space BigOceanData targets with its Behavioural Analytics feature.
- Pole Star Global: Maritime risk management and vessel tracking specialist focused on sanctions compliance, dark vessel detection and SSAS-style services - overlapping with BigOceanData's maritime security and SSAS use cases.
- VesselBot: Vessel performance and route optimisation platform leveraging weather routing and emissions modelling - direct overlap with BigOceanData's ABB-powered Route Optimisation pillar.
Direct peers
- FleetMon: AIS-based vessel tracking and maritime data provider serving commercial shipping, ports and analysts. Closely comparable to BigOceanData on subscription-based vessel visibility, fleet monitoring and port call intelligence.
- exactEarth: Satellite AIS data provider serving commercial maritime, government and fisheries monitoring applications. Comparable to BigOceanData in its satellite AIS-fed vessel tracking and fisheries VMS specialisation.
- Kpler: Maritime intelligence platform combining vessel tracking, port activity, commodity flows and trade analytics. Competitor for the Maritime Intelligence pillar and for risk/insurer segments BigOceanData serves (e.g., Crisis24).
- MarineTraffic: One of the most widely used AIS-based vessel tracking services globally, with port calls, vessel particulars and basic analytics. Competes head-on with BigOceanData's core Vessel Tracking offering for fleet operators and port visibility use cases.
- Spire Global (Spire Maritime): Public satellite data company whose Spire Maritime division provides global vessel tracking via proprietary satellite AIS, maritime weather, and route optimisation analytics - directly competing with BigOceanData across all three of its platform pillars.
Broad incumbents
- Lloyd's List Intelligence: Established maritime data and intelligence provider owned by Lloyd's List, offering vessel tracking, ownership, sanctions and trade data. Incumbent with broader portfolio and deeper regulatory data than BigOceanData's specialist niche.
- DNV (Maritime data services): Classification society with growing maritime data, fleet performance and emissions/CII advisory services. Competes indirectly with BigOceanData's Maritime Intelligence and emissions/regulatory compliance offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BigOceanData social profiles
Digital presenceBigOceanData financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BigOceanData leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BigOceanData funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BigOceanData M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BigOceanData
What does BigOceanData do?
BigOceanData is a cloud-based maritime operations platform that combines real-time vessel tracking, weather-aware route optimisation and maritime intelligence in a single integrated environment. It fuses terrestrial and satellite AIS with Inmarsat-C and Iridium data to provide global vessel visibility across roughly 450,000 vessels and 4,300+ ports, and offers bolt-on capabilities for fisheries VMS and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) management.
Is BigOceanData a public or private company?
BigOceanData is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BigOceanData founded?
BigOceanData was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BigOceanData based?
BigOceanData is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does BigOceanData make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription-based SaaS are the primary driver. The others are data Services and white-label/Reseller Licensing.
Who are BigOceanData's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Windward, Pole Star Global and VesselBot. Direct peers are FleetMon, exactEarth, Kpler, MarineTraffic and Spire Global (Spire Maritime). Broad incumbents are Lloyd's List Intelligence and DNV (Maritime data services).
Does BigOceanData have an API?
No public API is recorded for BigOceanData.
What industry is BigOceanData in?
BigOceanData's product category is Maritime Operations Platform (Vessel Tracking & Route Optimisation). Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEADAF, Ocean Container Visibility (Vessel, Container, Demurrage/Detention), with a secondary code of IMAJAJAE, Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS). Its NAICS code is 48833 and its SIC code is 3812.