Ship types
What the type code says
AIS carries a two-digit ship-and-cargo type, typed in at commissioning and rarely checked since. Here is how the 99 codes break down, which ones we group together, and what is sailing under each right now.
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How to read a code
The tens digit is the family — 70s are cargo, 80s tankers, 60s passenger. For those families the units digit is a dangerous-goods qualifier: 1 to 4 declare IMDG categories A to D, 0 means “all ships of this type”, 9 means “no additional information”. Two ranges break the pattern deliberately: every code in the 30s and 50s carries its own distinct meaning instead.
Full breakdown, including the qualifier table:AIS ship type codes explained →
- CargoDry bulk, container, general cargo and ro-ro ships.codes 70–79
- TankerCrude, product, chemical and gas carriers.codes 80–89
- PassengerFerries, cruise ships and passenger craft.codes 60–69
- FishingVessels reporting as engaged in fishing.code 30Fishing vessel
- Tug & towTugs, pushers and vessels engaged in towing.codes 31, 32, 52Towing vessel · Towing vessel (tow over 200 m or over 25 m wide) · Tug
- Pleasure craftPrivate recreational vessels.code 37Pleasure craft
- SailingVessels under sail.code 36Sailing vessel
- High-speed craftHSC and wing-in-ground craft.codes 20–49
- ServicePilot, SAR, port tender, dredging, law enforcement and similar.codes 33–58
- MilitaryVessels reporting a military or law-enforcement type.codes 35, 55, 59Military operations · Law enforcement vessel · Non-combatant ship
- OtherTypes defined by the standard but outside the categories above.codes 90–99
- UnknownNo usable ship type reported.codes 1–39