Updated periodically
IMO numbers for ships
An IMO is an international ship identifier. In this application, the public field is shown as an IMO only when it has the expected numeric format.
IMO numbers for ships
An IMO is an international ship identifier. In this application, the public field is shown as an IMO only when it has the expected numeric format.
When an IMO appears
Navios Acores shows an IMO only when the source provides exactly seven digits. This prevents administrative references from being presented as ship identifiers.
The absence of an IMO does not mean that the movement or ship is invalid; it only means that this field is not available in the public record that was read.
Codes that are not IMO numbers
The source may show call references, visit numbers, or other administrative codes. These values can be kept in raw data for diagnosis, but they are not published as IMO numbers.
Use the ship name, port, and date as additional context. Do not assume that two records are the same ship only because their text looks similar.
How to check a number
A valid public IMO field has seven digits. Read it together with the ship name and port call because the same ship can have several visits on different dates.
An IMO identifies the ship, not the voyage. It does not by itself confirm that an arrival happened, that a departure took place, or that the displayed time is still current.
When in doubt, compare the number and the other fields with the matching row at the official source. Do not use a call reference or visit number as a replacement for the IMO.
When the field is empty
Some public records do not include an IMO. This can result from a missing field, a reference that is not a ship identifier, or a limit in the information made available in the view.
Do not fill the number by inference. Use the visible data and confirm the ship identity before comparing movements or making a decision.
Format and context
The IMO number shown by the service has exactly seven digits. Leading zeroes, when present, are part of the value and should not be removed when comparing records.
A ship name can change form, include abbreviations, or have small spelling differences. The IMO helps distinguish rows but should be read together with the port, call, and date.
A call reference or visit number describes an administrative visit. Do not use it to fill an IMO or conclude that two calls represent the same ship.
Comparing two movements
To compare two movements, first check whether an IMO is present and matches. Then check the call reference, port, movement type, and published times.
Two rows with the same name are not necessarily the same visit. Two rows with different IMOs should not be merged just because they share a name or port.
When the fields are not enough, consult the official source and record the question with the date of the check. The local copy can be corrected or refreshed later.