Orca AI raises $23m to develop its autonomous shipping solution

The Israel-based company aims to introduce autonomous features to vessels already on the water. In 2022, it powered the world’s first autonomous commercial ship voyage with NYK and is now working on the second phase of fully autonomous ship technology to be rolled out in 2025.

Orca AI said it’s platform can maximise voyage safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability for ships and fleets. The solution features a fully automated watchkeeper that processes visual information during navigation at sea, mimicking and enhancing human watchkeeping in real-time.

In 2023, there were over 2,500 significant marine incidents. In the same period – while working with global shipping companies including MSC, NYK, Maersk, and Seaspan – Orca AI said it reduced close encounters by 33 per cent and crossing events by 40 per cent across 15 million nautical miles.

Orca AI optimises operations to avoid unnecessary manoeuvres and speed drops, with the aim to reduce fuel burn and emissions. According to the company, these improved navigational decisions resulted in an average of $100 – 300k savings in fuel per vessel per year (3-5 per cent) and 172,716 tonnes of CO2 reduction last year.