Ashdod Port Company has invested $650,000 in Azimut.ai, an Israeli startup that uses AI to deliver real-time detection, classification, and tracking of maritime vessels.
The investment was confirmed following completion of a successful proof-of-concept (POC) carried out by the Port’s Maritime Technology Hub, Blue Ocean CVC.
Azimut.ai’s AI-powered Albatross system is claimed to be able to detect and track vessels when traditional systems such as radar or AIS are unavailable. The technology aims to convert any camera into a ‘smart visual radar’, combining data from multiple cameras and sites into a single maritime awareness map.
The software’s machine learning functionality learns patterns of behaviour across the site over time, automatically adapting and alerting on suspicious activities.
During the pilot at Ashdod Port, a detection range of up to 7,000 metres was established for vessel targets using standard day cameras. 464 targets were detected and documented over the course of the evaluation period, with 100% accurate identification of innocent vessels and no false positives recorded.
Azimut notes that detection of swimmers’ heads and small targets significantly improved after AI training on nighttime conditions, and effective filtering of non-relevant targets, including birds, minimised unnecessary alerts to fewer than 2 false alarms per hour.
The company says that Albatross is currently being deployed at ports, offshore infrastructure facilities, and environmental and security organisations.
The Maritime Technology Hub acts as Ashdod Port’s innovation and investment arm , currently supporting around 100 startups annually across various technology sectors.
