Maritime tech startup Orca AI has secured around US$73M to finance further development of its artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform for semi-autonomous ship navigation and reducing accident risks.

Brighton Park Capital led the series B financing round with participation from existing investors Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures.

Orca AI said it will use these funds to expand its autonomous platform, add new capabilities, and enter new categories, including defense and security. This finance brings the total funding Orca AI has raised to US$111M with OCV Partners and Mizmaa Ventures also participating in previous rounds.

Orca AI provides greater situational awareness to bridge teams and masters on ships by combining visual displays from cameras and datasets with AI to identify risks and targets that cannot be spotted with the human eye. It provides information to crew that enables them to reduce the probability of collisions.

Orca AI’s technology improves operational decision-making and voyage safety. Analysis of 2024 data shows its alerts reduced close encounter events by 54%, thus improving overall safety and reducing associated accelerations. In turn, this led to an average of US$100,000 savings in fuel per vessel per year and total estimated reduction of 195,000 tons of CO₂ emissions in 2024.

“We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible when AI supports human decision-making at sea,” said Orca AI Co-Founder and CEO Yarden Gross. “Over the past two years, ships have become increasingly connected to the cloud, enabling large-scale data collection and unlocking the potential of AI.”

Orca AI has built what it estimates to be the world’s largest marine visual dataset, from over 80 million nautical miles of ship voyages, and this data is used to provide more insight and situational awareness to bridge officers.

“We are deploying advanced AI technologies that make vessels smarter, safer, and more automated,” said Mr. Gross. “Advancements in AI and connectivity are opening up new opportunities to enhance autonomous shipping, which will define the future of maritime operations.”

Several major shipowners and operators, including Mediterranean Shipping, NYK, Scorpio, and Seaspan, use Orca AI and high-speed connectivity on hundreds of vessels to reduce the risk of accidents and lower fuel costs.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites enable real-time data to be transmitted to Orca AI for route mapping, traffic monitoring, and sharing critical navigational information.