The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a big data source with a wide range of applications. AIS-based data can also be used to track vessel movement, thereby making it a viable source in characterizing maritime shipping activities and events such as the March 2021 Suez Canal blockage. Using AIS-based data from the UN Global Platform and Movements and Vessel data from IHS Markit, we produce descriptive statistics of maritime activities for the Suez Canal before, during, and after the said blockage. The approach can be used to establish a standard workflow in characterizing any maritime-related activities.

JEL codes: F17, N77, C82