Maritime Information Systems

What Maritime Information Systems does

Maritime Information Systems, Inc., doing business as MotionInfo, is a privately held U.S. operator of a distributed AIS and ADS-B tracking network headquartered in Orleans, Massachusetts. Founded in 1994, the company has spent more than 30 years building a network of 500+ fixed stations across coastal, inland, and airfield environments in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Its MotionInfo Network platform processes real-time vessel and aircraft data including identity, type, class, position, speed, and navigational status, exposing this via dashboards, structured data feeds, and APIs for integration into operational and command systems. Customers access data through subscription-based network arrangements and one-off deployment and integration services.

MotionInfo distributes its offering as four primary product surfaces: Marine Monitoring (vessel tracking, virtual navigation markers, AIS-based zone messaging), Aviation Tracking (aircraft activity, runway usage, and operational reporting for non-towered, regional, and international airports), Asset Protection (persistent monitoring and controlled messaging around pipelines, ports, offshore platforms, and energy assets), and StationKeeper (coastal AIS deployments that issue targeted speed and zone alerts to vessels in North Atlantic Right Whale habitat). The StationKeeper initiative, validated through partnerships with NOAA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and lighthouse organizations such as the American Lighthouse Foundation, has produced published pilot outcomes including majority vessel speed reductions during a 60-day Cape Cod Bay 2024 deployment.

The company's go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales (inquiry-based contact for aviation, marine, and infrastructure operators) with a host-network channel, where lighthouse operators, conservation agencies, and airports host station equipment in exchange for network access. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the company cites 25M+ tracked voyages and 2B+ AIS data points as evidence of network scale. Revenue model mechanics are subscription recurring (network access and data services) supplemented by professional services for station deployment and ongoing operational support. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or institutional investors are disclosed in the source material, and the company operates with a reported headcount of 1-10 employees, indicating a lean infrastructure-heavy model with capital likely concentrated in physical station assets and integration engineering rather than large sales or marketing teams.

Name

Maritime Information Systems

Legal name

Maritime Information Systems, Inc.

Website

https://motioninfo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maritime Information Systems (MotionInfo) operates a distributed AIS and ADS-B tracking network of more than 500 stations, delivering real-time vessel and aircraft monitoring data, controlled zone messaging, and integration APIs for aviation operators, marine operators, infrastructure asset owners, and marine conservation organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime and Aviation Surveillance Networks

NAICS

Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI), Harbor Master & Marine Traffic Control (VTS) (TLAHAFAA), Maritime Security Technology & Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Sensors) (BPAKALAI)

Keywords

• AIS vessel tracking
• ADS-B aircraft tracking
• Marine surveillance network
• Aviation activity monitoring
• Critical infrastructure protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Network Data Access: MotionInfo provides data access through dashboards, reports, and APIs configured to operational requirements. Access is provided through subscription-based network access arrangements, typically as part of station hosting agreements or standalone data service contracts.
2. Station Deployment Services: Coverage is established through deployed stations with new stations deployed where additional visibility is required. Revenue is generated through deployment and ongoing operational support services for network infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Maritime Information Systems (operating as MotionInfo) operates a global distributed AIS (Automatic Identification System) and ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) network of 500+ stations that delivers real-time vessel and aircraft tracking data, AIS-based messaging, and analytics to aviation, marine, infrastructure, and conservation operators. Access is delivered through dashboards, reports, and APIs, with specialized applications including StationKeeper for whale conservation, Aviation Tracking, Marine Monitoring, and Asset Protection.

Product overview

MotionInfo operates as a unified data infrastructure platform providing AIS and ADS-B network services. The core MotionInfo Network platform serves as the foundational infrastructure, while StationKeeper functions as the primary marine conservation application that leverages the network for whale protection. Supporting applications include Aviation Tracking for aircraft monitoring, Marine Monitoring for vessel activity, and Asset Protection for critical infrastructure monitoring. All applications share the same network infrastructure and are accessed through unified dashboards, reports, and APIs. AIS-based controlled messaging is integrated across marine and asset protection applications for direct vessel communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• StationKeeper: Real-time vessel monitoring and targeted AIS messaging system supporting North Atlantic Right Whale conservation efforts. Uses coastal station deployments to send speed alerts to vessels in protected whale habitats.

Products and services

• MotionInfo Network Global AIS and ADS-B data infrastructure providing operational monitoring, analytics, and system integration across marine, aviation, and infrastructure environments. The distributed network of 500+ stations supports real-time visibility and controlled messaging where approved, with data accessible through dashboards, reports, and APIs.
• StationKeeper Real-time vessel monitoring and targeted AIS messaging system supporting North Atlantic Right Whale conservation efforts. Deployed at fixed coastal sites including lighthouses, the system alerts vessels to slow down in protected whale habitats and enables direct communication within defined zones.
• Aviation Tracking Aircraft movement tracking system providing comprehensive data on ground and airspace activity, including identity, type, class, weight, and runway usage. Coverage extends beyond local ADS-B equipment through the MotionInfo network for non-towered, regional, and international airports.
• Marine Monitoring Vessel activity tracking and communication across managed waterways including coastal waters, inland waterways, and port environments. Supports vessel tracking with integrated AIS messaging, virtual navigation markers, zone management, and monitoring within conservation and seasonal restriction areas.
• Asset Protection Persistent monitoring and operational control around critical infrastructure including pipelines, ports, offshore platforms, and restricted areas. Provides vessel and aircraft activity tracking with zone-based awareness, proximity alerts, and real-time operational response.
• AIS-Based Messaging Controlled AIS-based messaging enabling direct communication with vessels operating within defined geographic areas. Supports real-time warnings, instructions, and enforcement of defined boundaries where approved by regulatory constraints.

Quantifiable outcome

• Majority of targeted vessels reduced speed during 60-day Cape Cod Bay 2024 pilot deployment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Marine Sanctuary FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership for StationKeeper system installation near Wassaw Island. The installation supports vessel awareness and whale protection efforts in critical North Atlantic right whale calving and feeding waters along the southeastern U.S. coast.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NOAA Fisheries for North Atlantic Right Whale conservation through AIS-based speed alerts. NOAA has launched AIS-based speed alerts that send real-time warnings to vessels entering NARW habitats. MotionInfo's StationKeeper system supports NOAA's regulatory speed restrictions and conservation efforts in protected whale habitats.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAW partnership for deploying StationKeeper AIS systems to alert vessels in right whale calving areas. IFAW has collaborated with MotionInfo on installations including Wassaw Island, supporting vessel awareness and whale protection efforts in critical NARW calving and feeding waters along the southeastern U.S. coast.
• American Lighthouse FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with American Lighthouse Foundation highlighting how historic lighthouses across Cape Cod and the Islands are serving new roles in ocean conservation, hosting modern AIS-based messaging systems that warn vessels about North Atlantic right whales.
• GADNR (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGADNR video content provided for StationKeeper whale protection initiative documentation. Referenced in NOAA Permit #26919 supporting NARW conservation efforts.
• East Hampton Town Marine MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with East Hampton Town Marine Museum to showcase how StationKeeper AIS technology helps protect North Atlantic Right Whales. The museum teaches visitors how real-time vessel tracking and citizen science tools like Whale Alert contribute to marine conservation.
• Friends of Seguin Island Light StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeguin Island Light joined MotionInfo's StationKeeper network, using AIS technology powered by solar energy to monitor vessel speeds in Casco Bay and alert ships to slow down in North Atlantic Right Whale protection zones.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FleetMon: FleetMon aggregates terrestrial and satellite AIS feeds to deliver real-time vessel tracking and historical analytics, comparable to MotionInfo's API and dashboard-based vessel monitoring services.
• MarineTraffic: MarineTraffic operates one of the largest terrestrial and satellite AIS receiver networks for vessel tracking and maritime intelligence, directly competing with MotionInfo's core AIS data subscription offering.
• ADS-B Exchange: ADS-B Exchange runs a community-fed ADS-B network offering unfiltered aircraft tracking data, overlapping with MotionInfo's ADS-B infrastructure for aviation surveillance and reporting.
• Flightradar24: Flightradar24 operates a global ADS-B receiver network providing real-time aircraft tracking, directly comparable to MotionInfo's aviation tracking service for non-towered and regional airports.
• SRT Marine Systems: SRT Marine Systems builds AIS-based vessel monitoring networks and messaging systems for maritime safety, closely aligned with MotionInfo's StationKeeper network infrastructure and AIS messaging capability.
• Pole Star Space Applications: Pole Star provides maritime vessel tracking, sanctions compliance, and fleet monitoring services via API, directly comparable to MotionInfo's enterprise maritime monitoring offering.

Broad incumbents

• ORBCOMM: ORBCOMM provides IoT and AIS-based asset tracking for maritime and industrial customers, making it a broader incumbent offering comparable vessel and infrastructure monitoring services.
• Spire Maritime: Spire Maritime provides satellite-based AIS data, weather routing, and maritime domain awareness to governments and commercial operators, overlapping with MotionInfo's maritime data subscription business at a global scale.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime delivers integrated vessel monitoring, navigation, and maritime domain awareness solutions, positioning it as a broader incumbent serving similar ports, energy, and infrastructure operators.
• exactEarth (Spire): Originally a satellite AIS provider, now part of Spire, exactEarth historically competed in maritime vessel tracking data services, making it a comparable incumbent in the AIS intelligence market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/motioninfo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maritime Information Systems