In this paper we propose a novel methodology for target velocity estimation using Single Look Complex (SLC) SAR data in strip map acquisition mode. The algorithm decouples the azimuth and range velocity components, taking into account their inter-correlation, and uses two methodologies for retrieving the velocity vector: the az-imuth component is estimated by analyzing the displacement vector of the moving target generated by using different focused sub-apertures, while the range velocity is retrieved in the slow time frequency domain by estimating the antenna pattern effects induced by the target motion. The algorithm is particularly fit for the maritime environment monitoring and it was tested on simulated SAR SLC data.