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Developer & API Terms

Last updated: 9 August 2026

Navtrac (navtrac.io) is operated by CITS LTD, Unit 7 Initial Business Centre, Wilsons Business Park, Manchester M40 8WN, United Kingdom. You can contact us at navtrac@citsltd.uk.

These Developer & API Terms ("API Terms") govern your access to and use of the Navtrac API and the Navtrac Developer Portal (together, the "API Service"). By creating a developer account or using an API key you agree to be bound by these API Terms, our Acceptable Use Policy, and our Privacy Policy. If you also use the Navtrac web application as a subscriber, the Terms of Service apply to that use separately.

1. Developer accounts

You must provide accurate information when registering. New developer accounts require activation by us before API keys become usable; we may decline or revoke activation at our discretion. If you register on behalf of a company, you confirm you are authorised to bind it to these API Terms.

2. API keys

  • API keys are issued through the Developer Portal and carry scopes that gate access to endpoint groups. Keys are shown once at creation and stored by us only in hashed form.
  • Keys are confidential. You must not embed them in client-side code, share them outside your organisation, or publish them. You are responsible for all usage under your keys, and must revoke and rotate any key you believe is compromised.
  • Each key may be revoked by you at any time from the Developer Portal, or by us under Section 7.

3. Plans, credits, and billing

  • Credits. Billable endpoints consume credits from your account balance. The credit cost of each endpoint is listed in the API documentation and may change with notice.
  • Plans and credit packs. Credits are obtained through API plans (recurring subscriptions) or one-off credit packs, at the pricing shown in your developer portal at the time of purchase. Pricing may change over time and may differ between customers; the price presented to you at checkout is the price that applies.
  • Payments. Payments are processed by Stripe. Plan subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
  • Exhaustion. When your credit balance is exhausted, billable endpoints return an error until credits are replenished. Credits have no cash value and are not transferable. Refunds are handled under our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

4. Rate limits

Each API key is subject to an hourly request limit, reported on every response via rate-limit headers. Requests over the limit are rejected with HTTP 429 and a Retry-After header. You must respect these signals; deliberately circumventing rate limits (for example by rotating keys or distributing requests to evade limits) is prohibited.

5. Acceptable API use

In addition to the Acceptable Use Policy, you must not:

  • resell, sublicense, or redistribute raw API data as a standalone dataset or competing data feed;
  • use the API to build a service whose primary value is re-serving Navtrac data without material added value;
  • cache or retain data beyond what is reasonably needed for your application's operation;
  • remove or obscure any attribution we reasonably require;
  • use the API for navigation, safety-of-life, or emergency-response purposes;
  • use the API for unlawful surveillance or tracking of individuals, or to facilitate sanctions evasion.

You may display and use API data within your own applications and internal workflows, and retain derived analytics, provided the underlying raw data is not made separately extractable by third parties.

6. Availability and changes

The API Service is provided on an "as is" basis without uptime guarantees. We version the API and aim to avoid breaking changes within a version; where breaking changes are necessary we will give reasonable notice through the Developer Portal or by email. Endpoints, scopes, credit costs, and rate limits may evolve over time.

7. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or revoke API keys or developer accounts, with notice where reasonably practicable, if: (a) you materially breach these API Terms or the Acceptable Use Policy; (b) your usage threatens the stability, security, or integrity of the Service; (c) your account has outstanding unpaid amounts; or (d) we are required to do so by law. Where the cause is remediable, we will endeavour to notify you and give you an opportunity to remedy it before termination. You may close your developer account at any time.

8. Data, disclaimer, and liability

API data is derived from AIS and public sources and may contain inaccuracies, gaps, or delays — see the Data Policy. Nothing in these API Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law. Subject to that, CITS LTD excludes all implied warranties and limits its aggregate liability arising out of the API Service to the amounts paid by you for the API Service in the 12 months preceding the claim, and excludes indirect or consequential losses.

9. Changes to these API Terms

We may update these API Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified by email or through the Developer Portal at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

10. Governing law

These API Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

11. Contact

Questions about these API Terms can be sent to navtrac@citsltd.uk or by post to CITS LTD, Unit 7 Initial Business Centre, Wilsons Business Park, Manchester M40 8WN, United Kingdom.