Quickstart

This guide will get you all set up and ready to use the Action Intel API Platform. We will cover how to get started using our REST API and how to make your first API request. We will also look at where to go next to find all the information you need to take full advantage of our powerful maritime and barge transportation data services.

Choose your client

Before making your first API request, you need to pick which API client you will use. In addition to good ol' cURL HTTP requests, you can use any HTTP client in JavaScript, Python, PHP, or your preferred programming language. In the following example, you can see how to test the API with different approaches.

Note: You can use any HTTP client in your preferred programming language. cURL, JavaScript (axios/fetch), Python (requests), PHP (cURL functions), Go, Ruby - all work with our REST API.

Making your first API request

After generating your API key, you are ready to make your first call to the Action Intel API. Below is how to send a GET request to the Tow Tracker positions endpoint to get current vessel positions. Pass your API key in the x-api-key header.

curl -X GET "https://api.actionintelgo.com/tow-tracker/list-positions?mmsi=367584670" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"

[
  {
    "mmsi": "367584670",
    "vesselname": "CYNTHIA II",
    "owner": "ABC",
    "horsepower": 5000,
    "date_time_ct": "2025-08-18T05:27:51-05:00",
    "river": "MISSISSIPPI-LO",
    "mile_marker": 945,
    "reported_speed_knots": 4.0,
    "reported_nav_status": "Power Driven Vessel Pushing Ahead Towing Alongside",
    "direction": "Downbound"
  }
]

Try Barge AI Analytics

You can also access our Barge AI transit time analytics:

curl -X GET "https://api.actionintelgo.com/barge-ai/transit-time?river=Mississippi&owner=ACBL&start_date=2025-07-01&end_date=2025-07-15" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"

What's next?

Great, you're now set up with an API key and have made your first request to the API. Here are a few links that might be handy as you venture further into the Action Intel API Platform:

• Generate your API key from the dashboard
• Learn about Tow Tracker endpoints
• Explore Barge AI analytics
• Check out authentication and error handling

Available Endpoints

Tow Tracker API

• GET /tow-tracker/list-positions - Current vessel positions
• GET /tow-tracker/get-eta - Estimated time of arrival calculations

Barge AI API

• GET /barge-ai/transit-time - Historical transit time analytics

Rate Limits

Each organization is limited to 45,000 requests per month across all products. There are no free or pro tiers.