As the Co-founder and CEO of Orca AI, Yarden Gross is at the forefront of driving smarter, safer navigation in the maritime industry. With a background in technology entrepreneurship, he co-founded Orca AI together with CTO Dor Raviv to bridge critical gaps in situational awareness at sea. In these answers Yarden shares how AI and computer vision are disrupting traditional ways of operating and shaping the future of maritime operations to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability.
What inspired you to co-found Orca AI, and what gap in the maritime industry were you aiming to fill?
“The idea for the technology was born from us recognizing that, unlike the aviation sector, the shipping industry lacked accessible and affordable situational awareness systems. Ships still rely heavily on human lookouts and radar, but visibility is often limited, and accidents happen even in fair weather. We saw a gap for a system that could augment human judgment, reduce navigational risk and ease the burden on bridge teams by giving them better tools to manage both high-traffic conditions, especially in low visibility, as well as long, monotonous voyages.”
How would you describe Orca AI’s mission in one sentence?
“Our mission is to make navigation safer and more efficient by combining AI and computer vision technologies to enhance human decision-making at sea.”
Can you walk us through how your system works onboard a vessel?
“Orca AI’s onboard system, called SeaPod, uses an array of cameras, sensors and proprietary AI algorithms to create a 360-degree real-time view around the ship. It detects, classifies and prioritises nearby targets (other vessels, buoys and obstacles) — even in low-visibility conditions like fog or night. Alerts sound only when necessary, helping crew avoid cognitive overload. Our shore-based platform Fleetview aggregates fleet data in real time, allowing shoreside teams to monitor operations, detect risks early and support crews with timely guidance when needed, as well as providing a platform for performance monitoring and training.”
What are the main problems Orca AI solves for shipowners and operators?
“We reduce collision risks, improve situational awareness and ease crew work burden and mental load by providing alerts and recommendations during navigation. Critically, our system helps prevent fatigue-related errors – whether from the stress of navigating busy shipping lanes or the mental drift that can occur during long, uneventful open-sea transits. By enhancing situational awareness we are also reducing the need for evasive manoeuvres and sudden changes in speed – so we can say we are enhancing overall operational efficiency through reduced fuel consumption and emissions.”
What are the most common human errors at sea today that your system helps prevent?
“Common errors include failing to detect smaller vessels, especially non-AIS targets like fishing boats; misjudging distances; and delayed reactions in high-density traffic. Fatigue plays a big role here – stress in congested areas and boredom on long hauls both degrade attention. SeaPod’s real-time alerts and decision support help maintain focus and reduce the burden on crews, catching things they might miss and giving early warnings without adding to alarm fatigue.”
How does Orca AI help bridge the gap between traditional navigation practices and the future of autonomous shipping?
“Our digital watchkeeper-SeaPod helps crews manage real-time navigation, while FleetView allows shore teams to maintain a constant, real-time visibility into the vessel’s navigation. These are foundational layers for future semi-autonomous and autonomous operations, where ships will need to combine human oversight with AI and machine learning technologies.”
Could you share a recent success story where Orca AI’s platform delivered measurable results?
“Yes. A great example is Seaspan Corp, one of the world’s largest containership owners. After an initial successful deployment of Orca AI’s platform, Seaspan decided to expand the use of our technology to 100 additional vessels. The decision was based on the measurable improvements they saw in navigational safety and operational efficiency (during 2023-2024, 35% increase in the minimum average distance between vessels in open waters; 37% decrease in close encounters; and annual fuel savings of $100,000 per vessel, preventing the release of 500 metric tons of CO2 per ship). By using Orca AI’s real-time situational awareness and decision support system, Seaspan reported enhanced bridge team performance, fewer close encounters and an overall boost in voyage performance — all contributing to safer operations across their fleet.”
What has been the feedback from captains and crews working with Orca AI technology on the bridge?
“Captains and crews say the system helps them feel more confident during challenging navigation scenarios – dense fog, darkness, harsh weather, when entering or existing ports and navigating congested waters. They also mention it is easy and intuitive to use.”
How close are we to full autonomy in commercial shipping, and what’s Orca AI’s role in that journey?
“Full autonomy is still years away, but vessels are already evolving toward smarter, semi-autonomous systems. Orca AI is enabling that progression by offering real-time situational awareness and decision support today. The incremental steps we’re helping the industry take – smarter bridges, data-driven shoreside support – will form the backbone of autonomous operations tomorrow.”
Do you believe AI-enhanced bridge systems will become mandatory or standard in future regulatory frameworks?
“Yes, we believe that, just like ECDIS became mandatory, AI-enhanced systems that reduce human error and improve safety will become a regulatory requirement. The technology is proving its value in real-world conditions, and the growing focus on safety and ESG compliance will accelerate this shift.”
How does Orca AI manage data collection and real-time decision support for bridge crews?
“SeaPod processes visual and navigational data locally onboard, ensuring fast, real-time decision support without dependency on satellite links. It sends relevant data to FleetView, allowing shore teams to have oversight and intervene if needed. This structure means that bridge crews are supported by clear, actionable information without being overwhelmed.”
How scalable is your solution across different ship types?
“Our system is highly scalable, and it is already installed on more than 800 vessels, with hundreds more in bookings. We have deployments across a wide range of vessels – tankers, container ships, ferries, offshore vessels – and the modular design of SeaPod means it can be tailored to fit different superstructure layouts and operational profiles.”
Does smarter navigation through Orca AI contribute to fuel efficiency and reduced emissions?
“A comprehensive audit we conducted, drawing on data collected across 27 million nautical miles sailed in 2024 by 733 vessels throughout 9,804 voyages – spanning tankers, containerships, bulk carriers and Ro-Ro vessels – identified a 54% reduction in close encounter events year-over-year in open waters per 1,000 nautical miles, as well as a 20% improvement in average minimum safe distance sailed. The reduction in safety events helped vessels equipped with Orca AI avoid unnecessary accelerations, which in turn lowered fuel consumption by 2% year-over-year to give a fuel saving of over 62,602 tonnes. This translates to a total estimated reduction of 195,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions in 2024.”
How does Orca AI fit into the industry’s broader efforts toward ESG compliance and sustainable operations?
“Safety, operational efficiency and environmental performance are key ESG pillars. Our platform helps shipowners and operators meet these goals by reducing accident risks, improving bridge team wellbeing and cutting emissions through more efficient navigation.”
Are you seeing growing demand in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Cyprus?
“Yes – we’re seeing increasing demand from shipowners in the Eastern Mediterranean, who are investing in smarter navigation solutions to stay competitive and compliant amid tightening safety and environmental regulations.”
How important are collaborations with shipowners, classification societies, or regulators in scaling Orca AI’s impact?
“They are crucial of course. We work closely with owners to fine-tune deployments, and partnerships with class and regulators help ensure our technology aligns with industry standards and evolving regulatory frameworks.”
What were the biggest challenges entering the maritime industry?
“One challenge was adapting to an industry that is inherently conservative and cautious about new technologies. It required not only demonstrating reliability and real-world results but also gaining the trust of stakeholders whose top priority is safety. To combat initial resistance, we also learned how important it is to demonstrate the value our platform provides not only to decision-makers but the guys on the vessel who will be using it every day.”
What advice would you offer to maritime stakeholders still hesitant about embracing AI-driven navigation?
“View AI not as a threat but as a tool to empower crews, reduce stress and improve operational outcomes. The technology is designed to complement human skills, not replace them. And if you aren’t exploring AI and automation options right now, you should be otherwise you’ll get left behind.”
What’s next for Orca AI in terms of product development or partnerships?
“We’re expanding the capabilities of SeaPod with even better detection algorithms and deeper integrations with fleet management systems via FleetView, and we’re working with leading shipowners and technology partners to accelerate smarter, safer semi-autonomous navigation.”
In one sentence, how would you define the future of safe and smart navigation?
“A future where AI-powered systems work alongside human crews to deliver safer, greener and more efficient and profitable voyages.”
source: cyprusshippingnews.com
