Orca AI and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and deploy autonomous vessel technologies, with the aim of providing integrated systems for navigation, berthing, and speed control for both newbuild vessels and the retrofit market.
The collaboration will combine SHI’s existing autonomous technologies with Orca AI’s maritime operations platform. As part of the agreement, Orca AI will incorporate SHI’s onboard systems, like its SVISION berthing assistance and autonomous speed control, into its own platform.
In parallel, SHI will integrate the Orca AI platform as standard on newbuild vessels equipped with the Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) package.
The companies say that they intend to use large-scale fleet data collected over time to improve real-time decision support, adaptive navigation, and continuous performance optimisation.
“Bringing together SHI’s deep expertise in vessel design and integration with our AI-driven situational awareness platform creates a practical path to scaling autonomous capabilities – from newbuild vessels to existing fleets,” said Yarden Gross, CEO and Co-founder of Orca AI.
“This partnership enables both companies to accelerate innovation and deliver tangible value to the industry.”
Orca AI currently has approximately 1,200 vessels operating with its SeaPod lookout assistant, which uses computer vision to detect and track navigational risks.
“Enhancing our business portfolio and advancing technologies through AI-based autonomous navigation is a key competitive factor for the future of the shipbuilding industry,” said Kim Hyun-Jo, Head of SHI’s Research Institute.
“Through this collaboration, we will actively pursue technological leadership by internalising differentiated autonomous navigation technologies and expanding our platform strategy.”
