How to Track Oil Ships on MarineRadar?
In this article 5 sections
Oil ships play a major role in global trade. Every day, large tankers carry crude oil, refined fuel, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) across oceans. Because of their importance, many people want to monitor their movements in real time. Fortunately, MarineRadar makes this process simple and accessible.
In this guide, you will learn how to track oil ships on MarineRadar step by step, clearly and easily.
What Are Oil Ships?
Oil ships, also called tankers, are specialized vessels designed to transport liquid cargo. These ships are built with large storage tanks that safely hold oil or gas during long voyages.
There are different types of oil ships, including:
- Crude oil tankers
- Product tankers (refined fuel carriers)
- LNG carriers
- Chemical tankers
Because these ships follow international trade routes, tracking them can provide valuable insight into global energy movement.
Crude Tankers vs Product Tankers: What Shows Up on AIS
Crude and product tankers both carry AIS, so both appear on MarineRadar in the same way, with a live position, speed, course, destination and ETA. AIS identifies a ship as a tanker, but it doesn’t report what is in the tanks. There is no cargo grade or volume in the signal, so you work out crude vs product from the ship and its route.
Here is what to look at:
- Size. Crude tankers are generally the largest tankers afloat, while product tankers are smaller.
- Route. Crude tankers usually run long hauls between oil-loading regions and refineries, such as the Middle East to Asia. Product tankers more often carry refined fuels, such as diesel, petrol and jet fuel, from refineries to distribution ports on shorter trips.
- Vessel type. Tap the ship and check the type shown in its details, as in Step 3 below.
- Loaded or empty. If the details show the ship’s draught, a tanker riding deep is usually loaded.
Why Track Oil Ships?
Tracking oil ships is useful for many reasons. Oil tankers often travel through major shipping lanes and strategic canals. Watching their routes helps users understand global trade patterns.
- Energy market monitoring
- Supply chain observation
- Port traffic analysis
- Maritime awareness
How to track oil ships step-by-step
Step 1: Open MarineRadar
To begin tracking, open the MarineRadar website or mobile app. Once the live map loads, you will see vessels moving across oceans and coastal regions.
At first, the map may look busy. However, zooming in will make ship identification easier.
Step 2: Use the Search Function
The fastest way to track a specific oil ship is by using the search bar.
You can search by:
- Ship name
- IMO number
- MMSI number
After entering the details, MarineRadar will locate the vessel instantly.
Step 3: Identify Oil Tanker Icons
If you want to explore oil ships without a specific name, look for tanker vessel types on the map. MarineRadar categorizes ships by type, which helps distinguish tankers from cargo ships or passenger vessels.
Once you tap on a ship icon, you can confirm whether it is a:
- Crude oil tanker
- LNG carrier
- Product tanker
Step 4: Check Vessel Details
When you select an oil ship, MarineRadar displays detailed information, such as
- Vessel name
- Ship type
- Current speed
- Course and heading
- Current location
- Destination and ETA (if available)
These details help you understand where the tanker is going and how fast it is traveling.
Step 5: Follow the Ship’s Route
MarineRadar also shows route lines and movement trails. These visual tools help you track the oil ship’s journey.
- Direction lines indicate where the vessel is heading.
- Trail lines show where it has recently traveled.
Why Oil Ships May Temporarily Disappear
Sometimes, oil ships may appear frozen or vanish from the map. This can happen due to:
- AIS signal gaps offshore
- Reduced satellite update frequency
- Temporary transmission interruptions
Once the signal resumes, MarineRadar updates the vessel’s position.
Where Is This Oil Tanker Now? Search by Name or IMO
To see where a tanker is right now, search for it on the live map:
- Enter the ship’s name, IMO number or MMSI in the search bar. Use the IMO number where you can, because tanker names repeat across fleets and sister ships, while an IMO number belongs to one hull for life.
- Open the tanker to see its position, speed, course, destination and ETA.
- Read what it is doing. A steady speed on a straight heading means it is on passage, while near-zero speed beside a terminal usually means loading, discharging or waiting at anchor.
- Treat the destination with care. The crew enters it, and tankers often sail with a region or “for orders” until a discharge port is confirmed.
- Check the last update time. If a tanker looks frozen, it may be a normal signal gap. Our Tanker Tracker guide explains how to tell a normal gap from a ship gone dark.
Understanding Oil Trade Routes
Oil ships commonly travel along major global routes, including:
- Middle East to Asia
- Middle East to Europe
- United States to global markets
By tracking these routes on MarineRadar, you can learn about the trends in energy transportation around the world.
Conclusion
Learning how to track oil ships on MarineRadar allows you to explore one of the most important parts of global shipping. With live AIS tracking, clear vessel categories, and easy search tools, MarineRadar makes oil tanker monitoring simple for beginners and professionals alike.
Whether you are interested in maritime trade or energy logistics, MarineRadar provides a reliable way to follow oil ships across the world’s oceans.
Download MarineRadar: Vessel Tracker from the Google Play Store or App Store today and experience real-time ship tracking.
FAQs
Q1: Can I track all oil ships on MarineRadar?
Most oil ships can be tracked as long as they are transmitting AIS data.
Q2: Does MarineRadar show oil ship destinations?
Yes, destination and ETA appear when shared by the vessel.
Q3: Why do oil ships move slowly sometimes?
Speed may change due to weather, port congestion, or route adjustments.
Q4: Are LNG carriers tracked the same way as crude tankers?
Yes, both types transmit AIS data and appear on MarineRadar.
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