Learn how to install Global AI Ship Traffic in MSFS, choose the right ship density, find vessels and fix missing or duplicated AI ships.
To install Global AI Ship Traffic (GAIST) in Microsoft Flight Simulator, extract the download and copy every included package folder containing manifest.json into the active Community folder. Remove any older GAIST version first, restart the simulator, set Ships and Ferries above zero, then load near a busy coast or harbour.
Install Global AI Ship Traffic on PC
GAIST is a multi-package Community add-on rather than a conventional program with an installer. The supplied route package and ship model libraries must all be installed; copying only one component can produce empty seas or invisible vessels.
- Download the complete package. Use our GAIST ship-traffic download and installation notes, and check any instructions included with the archive.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator. Do not replace package files while the simulator is running.
- Remove the previous GAIST release. Delete or move its route and model folders out of
Community. Do not merge a new release into an old one, because obsolete schedules and duplicated models can remain behind. - Extract the archive outside the simulator. Do not place the ZIP, RAR or other compressed file directly into
Community. - Copy every required package folder. Opening each loadable package should reveal files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. If those files sit inside another identically named folder, you have created an extra folder level and MSFS may not load the package. - Start MSFS and enable maritime traffic. In MSFS 2020, the relevant control is normally under the general traffic settings. Menu grouping can differ in MSFS 2024, but the setting to find is Ships and Ferries or its equivalent maritime-traffic control.
Microsoft Store, Steam and customised installations can use different package locations. If you are unsure which folder is active, our MSFS Community-folder guide explains how to locate it and diagnose packages that are not detected.
How do I use GAIST after installation?
GAIST runs automatically when a flight loads; there is no traffic injector, external application or toolbar panel to start. Its vessels follow compiled routes and timetables, so they appear only where and when the supplied schedules place them.
Begin near a busy port, shipping lane or coastline rather than an isolated inland airport. Allow several minutes after loading for traffic and models to populate. A vessel may already be part-way along a route, so it will not necessarily be sitting at the route's departure harbour.
Global AI Ship Traffic is scheduled artificial traffic, not a live AIS feed. Changing real-time aircraft traffic, multiplayer or airline-traffic settings will not make GAIST ships appear.
Which traffic settings should I use?
Set Ships and Ferries above zero and begin around 5–10%; setting it to 100% is unnecessary and can add extra default traffic and processor load. Reload the flight after changing the setting if vessels do not begin appearing.
| MSFS setting | Effect on GAIST |
|---|---|
| Ships and Ferries | Controls scheduled ship traffic and must be above zero. |
| Leisure Boats | Controls the simulator's smaller generated boats; GAIST does not require a high value. |
| Live or real-time air traffic | Does not control GAIST vessels. |
If performance drops near a major harbour, lower Ships and Ferries first, followed by Leisure Boats. Large model libraries also increase initial loading time, but removing one of GAIST's required model packages can leave scheduled ships invisible.
Why is Global AI Ship Traffic not showing?
Most missing-ship cases come from the wrong Community folder, an extra nested directory, an incomplete model installation or the Ships and Ferries slider being set to zero.
- No ships anywhere: confirm that MSFS was not started in Safe Mode, verify the active Community location and make sure the route package is installed.
- Ships are invisible or untextured: reinstall all model or library packages supplied with the same GAIST release. Mixing files from different releases is a common cause.
- Duplicate ships: search for an older GAIST installation or another maritime package supplying the same schedules. Remove the obsolete route package rather than deleting random model libraries.
- Ships appear on land: this usually reflects a mismatch between a traffic route and the installed coastline or harbour scenery, not a failed installation.
- One location remains empty: try another busy shipping area and a different simulator time. GAIST does not place a vessel on every route continuously.
Does GAIST work in MSFS 2024 and on consoles?
GAIST can be installed manually on PC when the downloaded release supports the Microsoft Flight Simulator edition being used. MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 may have separate Community folders, so install it into the folder belonging to the simulator you actually launch.
Do not assume every older package is fully compatible with MSFS 2024; use the release documentation and replace rather than merge older files. Our overview of boat and ship traffic options in MSFS 2024 covers the edition's other traffic methods and limitations.
Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 do not permit users to sideload a downloaded Community-folder archive. A manually distributed GAIST package is therefore a PC installation unless that add-on is made available through the simulator's supported console content system.