AI-Assisted Navigation: Navigating the Future of Shipping

AI-assisted navigation has undergone remarkable advancements over recent years, driving a paradigm shift in shipping logistics. The integration of automation now allows automated ships to execute complex tasks such as berth-to-berth pilotage and long-distance voyages with minimal human intervention. Insights from industry leaders, like Yarden Gross, CEO of Orca AI, reveal how these technological transformations are reshaping maritime operations and what the future may hold.

The Origins of Orca AI

Founded in 2018, Orca AI’s roots trace back even further to the Israeli Navy, where Gross and co-founder Dor Raviv first crossed paths about 15 years ago. Their military experience, notably in operating surface drones, equipped them with invaluable insights into both maritime operations and technological innovations.

Recognizing a pivotal moment in the shipping industry—characterized by a slow but steady shift towards modernization—they set out to harness ship connectivity. As more vessels around the globe adopted cloud technology and VSAT services, it became clear that the industry was ripe for transformation. By leveraging this connectivity, Orca AI aims to enhance maritime safety and operational efficiency for crews and fleet managers alike.

Advanced Technological Foundations

Orca AI’s groundbreaking technology employs computer vision sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to deepen situational awareness for ship officers. While traditional radar systems excel at detecting distant targets, Orca AI specializes in identifying smaller, closer objects, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.

The system mimics the human watchstander’s cognitive processes—visual observation, target identification, risk calculation—performing these tasks in mere milliseconds. By cross-referencing inputs from various sources—including cameras, AIS (Automatic Identification System), and radar—Orca AI prioritizes risks based on critical factors like target size and proximity.

This dual-layered approach allows ships to navigate safely in congested waters or poor visibility conditions, acting as an additional lookout that supplements traditional navigation methods.

Navigational System Evolution

Developing this advanced technology involved substantial data collection to train AI models capable of recognizing and classifying various maritime scenarios. The result is a robust system that empowers ship officers by reducing workload and enhancing situational awareness, especially in high-density or busy navigational environments.

With Orca AI, officers can track small vessels and prioritize high-risk targets, facilitating informed decision-making that ultimately leads to safer, more efficient maritime operations.

Lessons from Client Collaborations

A core lesson learned during Orca AI’s development process is the importance of close collaboration with end users—namely, the ship crews themselves. Transitioning to new technologies can be a gradual process, particularly in industries with deeply ingrained traditions. By actively engaging with crews and gathering feedback, Orca AI ensures that its systems are user-friendly and seamlessly integrate with existing operational workflows.

Gross emphasizes that understanding the crew’s perspective is foundational to Orca AI’s development philosophy, stemming from his and Raviv’s naval experience.

Enhancing Safety Management

As Orca AI technology continues to evolve, its applications extend beyond navigation assistance. The system is also a valuable resource for fleet managers, gathering and analyzing data throughout voyages. By comparing the performance data with designated safety management standards, fleet managers can pinpoint procedural violations and gain insights into fleet safety.

This capability allows ship operators to identify patterns that can inform crew training and operational procedures, enhancing overall safety management across their fleets.

Navigation Safety Test Results with Maran Tankers

Orca AI’s effectiveness is evidenced by extensive testing with Maran Tankers, yielding impressive results:

• 75+ voyages conducted
• 1,500+ days of sailing
• Over 60 gigabytes of navigational data collected
• 400,000+ nautical miles traversed
• 33% reduction in close encounter events
• 27% increase in minimum distances from other vessels

Future Prospects for Orca AI

Looking ahead, Orca AI is fostering strategic partnerships with leading shipowners for the development of fully autonomous vessels, exemplified by the recently trialed Suzaku container ship project in Japan. With the maritime industry’s growing recognition of AI’s potential to solve critical challenges, widespread adoption of advanced navigation technologies appears imminent.

As this technological evolution unfolds, Orca AI continues to expand in both capability and customer base, demonstrating a commitment to revolutionizing maritime operations through enhanced navigation safety and efficiency.

In the ever-evolving landscape of global shipping, Orca AI exemplifies the transformative power of modern technology, ushering in a new age of smart, safe, and efficient maritime navigation.