Orca AI has secured $23M to push autonomous ship operations forward

Orca AI is an industry-leading AI-powered operational platform for ships founded by Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv, two naval technology experts. The pioneering platform recently raised $23 million in new funding led by OCV Partners and Mizmaa Ventures, bringing Orca AI's total funding to nearly $40 million. The investment will boost Orca AI's mission to propel the maritime industry toward a future of self-navigating vessels.

Orca AI's AI-powered system acts as a fully automated watchkeeper, that processes visual data from varied sources just as a human watchkeeper would, albeit more in an optimized, more time-efficient manner. Working in tandem, Orca AI and human watchkeepers can enhance navigational safety in even the most complex maritime traffic situations. Still, the goal is to make the AI-powered platform fully autonomous. In 2022, Orca AI was responsible for the world’s first autonomous commercial ship voyage in collaboration with NYK, and the company is currently developing the second phase of the autonomous ship technology it plans to roll out in 2025.

Meanwhile, Orca AI is used by some of the world's biggest shipping companies, including MSC, NYK, Maersk, and Seaspan, to optimize routes and eliminate unnecessary maneuvers. Consequently, Orca AI reduced close encounters by 33% and crossing events by 40% after being deployed for 15 million nautical miles. Orca AI-enhanced decisions have also resulted in savings of up to $300,000 per vessel annually on fuel costs and a 172,716 CO2-ton CO2 emissions reduction. Moreover, the platform can also boost vessel security and sensitive cargo protection by allowing personnel to anticipate and counteract drone and piracy attacks.

Orca AI claims that it will soon surpass 1,000 orders for its platform. With this new funding, the company plans to invest in technology, expand globally, and grow its team. As Orca CEO and co-founder Yarden Gross stated, the company is ushering in a "pivotal moment" for the maritime industry after it fell behind aviation, in terms of technological innovation. As Orca AI prepares for the next step in its journey, the company will continue to contribute to reducing maritime carbon emissions and optimizing the efficiency and safety of seabound operations.