Intro
For decades, the maritime industry seemed anchored in tradition — giant vessels, slow processes, and paper-heavy systems. But tides are shifting.
With global trade expanding, carbon goals tightening, and logistics chains digitizing, shipping is becoming as much about software as it is about seawater.
2025 marks a turning point: startups are reinventing how ships are built, routes are optimized, emissions are tracked, and ports communicate. Investors have noticed — and capital is flowing into ventures that merge sustainability with scale.
Here are ten maritime transport companies leading that transformation — and how they’re funded to reshape global logistics.
1. Orca AI (Israel) — “The Autonomous Eyes of the Sea”
What they do: Orca AI builds intelligent navigation and safety systems for ships using vision-based technology to reduce human error and collisions.
Founder(s): Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv
Funding: $23M Series B (2024)
Backed by: OCV Partners, MizMaa Ventures, and OurCrowd
Next moves: Expanding their fleet coverage and integrating emissions data into autonomous navigation models.
2. ZeroNorth (Denmark) — “Data for Greener Voyages”
What they do: A spin-off from Maersk Tankers, ZeroNorth uses AI and analytics to optimize vessel performance and reduce emissions.
Founder(s): Søren Meyer
Funding: $50M raised in 2025
Backed by: PSG Equity and A.P. Moller Holding
Next moves: Expanding partnerships across global fleets and integrating carbon credit tracking for charterers.
3. Smart Ship Hub (Singapore) — “IoT for the Open Seas”
What they do: Smart Ship Hub provides a platform for real-time vessel monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational optimization.
Founder(s): Joy Basu
Funding: $25M Series A (2024)
Backed by: Motion Ventures and Rainmaking
Next moves: Deploying autonomous data centers at ports and launching fleet-wide decarbonization analytics.
4. Portcast (Singapore) — “Predictive Visibility for Global Trade”
What they do: Portcast offers AI-driven forecasting for cargo delays, port congestion, and shipment arrival times.
Founder(s): Nidhi Gupta and Lingxiao Xia
Funding: $18M Series A
Backed by: Newtown Partners and Wavemaker Partners
Next moves: Expanding coverage to inland logistics and integrating satellite-based tracking.
5. Bound4Blue (Spain) — “Wings for Ships”
What they do: Bound4Blue develops wind-assisted propulsion systems that reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for cargo ships.
Founder(s): Cristina Aleixendri, David Ferrer, and José Miguel Bermúdez
Funding: €22M Series B (2024)
Backed by: GTT Strategic Ventures and EIT Climate-KIC
Next moves: Scaling installations across European fleets and partnering with shipyards for retrofit programs.
6. Greywing (Singapore) — “Crew Changes Made Smart”
What they do: Greywing automates maritime crew change operations, flight booking, and visa workflows using AI-driven logistics.
Founder(s): Nick Clarke and Hrishi Olickel
Funding: $2.5M Seed Round
Backed by: Motion Ventures and Y Combinator
Next moves: Rolling out integrations for port agents and expanding into full logistics automation for shipping firms.
7. EyeGauge (France) — “From Engine Room to Dashboard”
What they do: EyeGauge digitizes vessel machinery by capturing real-time data from analog gauges, providing insights without new hardware.
Founder(s): Alex Izosimov and Vitaly Saveliev
Funding: €4M Seed (2024)
Backed by: Plug and Play Ventures and ShipNext
Next moves: Scaling sensorless monitoring systems across Asia-Pacific fleets.
8. Fleetzero (USA) — “Electric Cargo Ships on the Horizon”
What they do: Fleetzero builds electric cargo ships and modular battery containers for sustainable mid-range shipping.
Founder(s): Steven Henderson and Mike Carter
Funding: $15M Seed Round
Backed by: Y Combinator and Flexport Fund
Next moves: Launching pilot routes across U.S. coastal trade lanes and scaling battery-swap infrastructure.
9. Seaber (Finland) — “AI Scheduling for Bulk Shipping”
What they do: Seaber’s SaaS platform automates voyage planning and scheduling for bulk and tanker shipping, improving profitability.
Founder(s): Sebastian Sjöberg and Antti Ropponen
Funding: $16M Series A (2025)
Backed by: Lifeline Ventures and NordicNinja VC
Next moves: Integrating carbon-intensity metrics and expanding into North America.
10. OneOcean (UK) — “Compliance Meets Intelligence”
What they do: OneOcean digitizes navigation compliance, document management, and voyage planning for global shipping fleets.
Founder(s): Martin Taylor
Funding: $40M Series B
Backed by: NorthEdge Capital
Next moves: Merging compliance and ESG tools, expanding across global maritime hubs.
How to Spot the Right Maritime Partner
Every successful maritime startup carries three traits:
- Adaptability: They merge old-world shipping systems with modern data frameworks.
- Partnership readiness: They’re open to collaboration with logistics, tech, and port players.
- Sustainability focus: Every innovation must reduce cost and carbon.
Whether you’re a maritime operator, investor, or logistics leader, 2025’s winners are those aligning efficiency with responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Maritime transport is rewriting its legacy — from paperwork to predictive systems, from oil tanks to electric batteries, from slow coordination to live intelligence. The waves are digital now.
At McArrows, we’ve been watching this transformation up close — helping tech-first and logistics-driven companies craft their positioning, scale their message, and enter new markets with clarity.
If your company is building the next breakthrough in global transport, we can help shape your product, marketing, and growth narrative to match the scale of your ambition.
Let’s chart your next course — together.
