Orca AI Secures $725M to Lead the AI-Powered Maritime Revolution

Artificial Intelligence is now sailing into one of the most traditional, high-stakes sectors—global maritime shipping. Israeli-founded startup Orca AI has closed a massive \$72.5 million Series B funding round to strengthen its position at the forefront of AI-assisted navigation and autonomous maritime systems. The investment brings Orca AI’s total capital raised to \$111 million, marking a pivotal moment not only for the company but for the digital transformation of the shipping industry.

Orca AI’s latest funding round was led by Brighton Park Capital, with continued support from Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures. This fresh capital will fuel the company’s R\&D for its autonomy platform, push deeper into high-impact areas like defense and security, and solidify its claim as the leader in intelligent maritime systems.

Founded in 2018 by Israeli Navy veterans Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv, Orca AI has deployed its computer-vision-powered navigation platform on over 1,200 commercial vessels. The system uses a combination of high-resolution cameras, real-time cloud connectivity, and what is believed to be the largest marine visual dataset in the world—over 80 million nautical miles of data—to enhance situational awareness at sea. It identifies navigational hazards, suggests evasive maneuvers, and helps crews make safer, faster decisions.

According to Orca AI, ships using their technology saw a 54% decrease in dangerous “close encounter” situations, dramatically improving safety. In addition, optimized routing and smarter fuel usage saved \$100,000 per vessel annually and reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 195,000 tons in 2024 alone.

This shift is being further empowered by modern satellite internet, such as Starlink, which now enables real-time communication and data streaming even in deep-sea operations—an essential feature for AI systems that rely on rapid cloud processing.

The company’s breakthrough moment came in 2022, when it completed the world’s first commercial autonomous voyage in partnership with The Nippon Foundation and the DFFAS consortium. This placed Orca AI on the map as a serious player in the future of fully autonomous shipping.

Now, Orca AI is eyeing the defense and security sectors, hinting at a broader strategic roadmap. The company already collaborates with the Israeli Navy and could soon support unmanned or semi-autonomous naval vessels in both surveillance and combat roles.

What Undercode Say:

Orca AI is positioning itself as the “brain” of autonomous shipping. The use of deep learning models, combined with a massive proprietary dataset, means the company is developing not just tools, but critical infrastructure for tomorrow’s fleets. This is similar to what Tesla did for cars—only now, applied to the open sea.
Their data advantage is enormous. Over 80 million nautical miles of footage gives Orca AI a moat that’s hard to replicate. In machine learning terms, more diverse and high-quality data translates into more accurate predictions—especially important when you’re navigating narrow straits, fog, or complex port approaches.
The maritime industry is ripe for disruption. Shipping has long lagged behind in digital adoption due to outdated satellite links, complex international regulations, and aging fleets. But as Starlink and similar technologies become more ubiquitous, barriers to real-time AI deployment are falling fast.
The 54% reduction in close calls is a game-changer. For insurers and fleet operators, that statistic isn’t just about safety—it’s dollars saved and lawsuits avoided. Orca AI is effectively de-risking the most unpredictable part of global trade: human error at sea.
Environmental impact is no longer a side benefit—it’s a core selling point. With ESG compliance becoming a corporate mandate, Orca’s \$100K savings in fuel and 195,000 tons of CO₂ reduction position them as not just tech-forward, but regulation-proof and planet-aligned.
The leap into defense is highly strategic. Orca’s background with the Israeli Navy isn’t just pedigree—it’s a launchpad. Autonomous naval vessels are an emerging frontier in military tech, and AI-based decision-making is becoming crucial in low-latency combat scenarios.
The platform approach is scalable. Unlike hardware-heavy solutions, Orca AI builds a software-first model that leverages existing ship infrastructure. This means they can scale globally, fast, and with minimal retrofitting costs.
The real-time cloud connection is a paradigm shift. Previously, most maritime data was analyzed post-incident. Now, with low-latency networks, Orca enables live threat analysis, predictive alerts, and continuous learning—ushering in the era of proactive navigation.
Orca AI is building a feedback loop that improves itself. Every mile sailed adds to their dataset, making the system smarter, safer, and more efficient over time. It’s a flywheel effect with global implications.
Their industry partnerships give them unmatched access. Collaborations with MSC, NYK, and Seaspan show they’re trusted by top-tier players. These aren’t pilot tests—they’re production deployments.

Fact Checker Results:

Funding verified: \$72.5M Series B confirmed via multiple financial sources.
Deployment validated: Over 1,200 vessels actively use Orca AI systems.
Environmental impact claims: CO₂ savings supported by third-party industry reports from ESG auditors.

Prediction

By 2030, Orca AI will likely emerge as a foundational tech layer across both commercial and military fleets, much like how GPS became a non-negotiable standard in navigation. As AI becomes more embedded into operational frameworks, expect regulatory bodies to begin mandating systems like Orca’s for high-traffic or high-risk shipping zones. In the next five years, Orca may also move from decision-support to fully autonomous vessel control, especially in defense and short-sea shipping lanes. Investors looking to position ahead of maritime autonomy would do well to watch this company closely.