Orca AI Secures $72.5 Million Investment to Revolutionize Maritime Navigation with AI Technology

Image Credits: Orca AI/LinkedIn

Orca AI, an innovative maritime technology startup from Israel, has successfully secured $72.5 million in Series B funding to enhance its artificial intelligence platform. This latest investment brings the total funds raised by the company to a noteworthy $111 million.

The funding round was spearheaded by Brighton Park Capital,with ongoing contributions from Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures. Previous investors like OCV Partners and Mizmaa Ventures also played important roles in earlier financing rounds.

Founded in 2018 by ex-Israeli Navy officers Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv,orca AI aims to revolutionize the conservative shipping sector through advanced artificial intelligence solutions. Their platform leverages computer vision and machine learning technologies to improve ship navigation—currently installed on over 1,200 commercial vessels.

At the heart of Orca AI’s system is an extensive visual database—the largest of its kind in maritime tech—covering more than 80 million nautical miles of footage collected from onboard cameras and sensors. This real-time cloud-connected data enables continuous learning for safer decision-making at sea.

The company’s AI tool identifies risks that might elude human observation, recommends alternative routes for avoidance, and enhances overall decision-making processes during voyages. notably, vessels utilizing Orca AI’s technology have reported a remarkable 54% reduction in close encounter incidents where ships come alarmingly close to one another.

Beyond safety improvements, orca AI emphasizes economic advantages as well; ships have reportedly saved around $100,000 annually on fuel costs while collectively avoiding approximately 195,000 tons of carbon emissions just last year through optimized routing strategies.

Major players within global shipping circles—including MSC and NYK—have begun recognizing the value of this platform as essential for operations in congested waters. in a groundbreaking move last year, Orca partnered with The Nippon Foundation alongside DFFAS (Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ships) to achieve what they claim was the first-ever commercial autonomous voyage globally.

Historically reliant on slow satellite communications that hampered real-time data sharing at sea, advancements like Starlink are now enabling faster internet access aboard ships. This leap forward substantially enhances the effectiveness of AI-driven navigation systems across vast oceanic expanses.

While already making waves within commercial shipping sectors, Orca is now eyeing opportunities within defense and security realms—a shift that could open doors for military applications given their founders’ naval backgrounds; collaborations with entities like the Israeli Navy are already underway but remain under wraps regarding specific future plans.

Reference: calcalistech