Orca AI Secures $72.5M for Autonomous Shipping Platform

The Rise of Autonomous Navigation and Orca AI's Funding

The market for autonomous navigation systems – where vessels utilize artificial intelligence for self-steering, leading to reductions in both fuel consumption and transit times – is experiencing substantial growth. Projections indicate this sector will exceed $11 billion in value by 2028.

Consequently, companies operating within this field are encountering favorable market conditions. Orca AI recently concluded a Series B funding round, securing $72.5 million in investment, with Brighton Park Capital leading the charge.

Existing investors, including Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures, also contributed to this funding success. To date, the London-based company has amassed over $111 million in funding, building upon a $23 million round completed in the previous year.

Driving Forces Behind the Investment

The primary catalyst for this new funding round is the increasing demand from the defense sector. Orca AI is strategically positioned to capitalize on this trend.

Established in 2018 by Yarden Gross (CEO) and Dor Raviv (CTO), Orca AI leverages AI-driven decision-making and autonomous functionalities for maritime vessels.

This is achieved through the application of a vast marine visual dataset, encompassing over 80 million nautical miles. Utilizing AI in ship navigation has the potential to dramatically decrease the incidence of collisions.

Furthermore, it allows ship crews to concentrate their efforts on other crucial aspects of the voyage.

Expanding into Defense and Leveraging Starlink

“While our core business remains within the commercial sector, with existing collaborations and proof-of-concept projects underway,” stated Gross to TechCrunch, “we are observing significant opportunities within defense.”

He further explained that navies globally are seeking more cost-effective assets capable of operating with greater efficiency and reduced human involvement. Orca AI has already secured its initial contract within the defense arena, with deployment on a naval vessel.

The company’s expansion is also being facilitated by the growing availability of Starlink. This allows for the real-time transmission of data to Orca AI, supporting route mapping, traffic monitoring, and the sharing of vital information.

“Starlink provides us with the ability to gather data at scale directly from ship sensors, which we view as a substantial opportunity,” Gross emphasized.

Demonstrated Savings and Competitive Landscape

According to a 2024 analysis, Orca AI’s alert system resulted in a 54% decrease in close-encounter events. This translates to an average fuel saving of $100,000 per vessel annually.

Other key players in the autonomous navigation space include Avikus (a subsidiary of Hyundai HD) and Sea Machines. These companies are also actively developing and deploying solutions for self-navigating ships.