Recently, various marine development initiatives, including offshore wind farms and marina port facilities, have been launched to enhance utilization of coastal waters. In addition, advancements in technologies for autonomous ships and wing-in-ground effect craft are progressing swiftly, increasing the complexity of maritime traffic. Accordingly, proactive policy development and research are needed to ensure safe navigation and decrease maritime accidents. The dynamic interplay between vessel traffic and geographical features in coastal waters necessitates spatio-temporal analysis. Factors such as currents, waves, and fog, along with vessel traffic services, play pivotal roles in managing maritime traffic. In this study, AIS data were used to quantitatively evaluate the distribution and utilization of maritime traffic in coastal waters using a grid cell approach. Furthermore, a suitability model for maritime traffic routes was developed, taking into account spatio-temporal operational and environmental characteristics. Results were compared to existing national maritime traffic route and offshore wind farm plans, providing valuable insights for the development of future maritime traffic networks.