The number of companies using artificial intelligence has almost doubled over the past year, reflecting the rapid integration of AI technology in maritime products and operations. The flagship founder, Global Maritime Tech Startup Map 2024, highlights the mergers or acquisitions from the 2023 Global Maritime Startup Map over the past year.
This represents over 10% of the total companies on the list. This is a huge number and offers promising prospects for other ventures. The flagship founder recorded a notable trend between these acquisitions and mergers.
- Data, Analytics, or IoT Solutions Merge with Technology Platforms – Companies that provide data, Analytics, or IOT solutions have generally established that they will merge with technology platforms to enhance their collective delivery. The flagship founder combined Alpha Ori with Zeronorth's platform with high frequency data to highlight the Alpha Ori, which merged with Zeronorth in October 2023. The merger aims to provide shipping companies with sustainable solutions to reduce emissions and optimize global trade. Another example is the acquisition of Dandocs by Ocean Technologies Group in March 2024. It supports the Ocean Technologies Group's strategy to strengthen its maritime business by integrating its specialized regulatory expertise.
- Large companies acquiring companies that provide subservices – another trend is that companies with large client bases that expand their services. They acquire companies with specialized products to enhance their overall services, such as Mintra won Seably and Wellatsea. This reflects a strategy to expand digital learning and human capital management solutions in the maritime and energy sectors, resulting in rapid growth in market share. And there is the merger of Navtor and Voyager Worldwide, combining maritime technology solutions to enhance the safety, efficiency, compliance and operational performance of shipping companies.
AI Technology
The report found that the growing number of startups listed is using AI technology. “In 2025, 45% of featured startups reported using AI using AI from 27.5% the previous year. However, AI integration is not evenly distributed across the business segment. The “Status and Maintenance” category stands out. We have been using AI for the past three years, indicating that this segment is being converted particularly quickly (56% of startups in this category have integrated AI). ”
AI adoption rates in other regions, such as “procurement.” 28%. “Ports and Docks” – 40%. and “Crew and crew management” – 33%. This suggests that the field is difficult to tackle artificial intelligence or its potential for innovation is not exhausted.
Funding and Geographical Trends
Additionally, the report says the maritime technology startup has raised approximately US$234 million in the disclosed funding round. This is an increase of about 73% compared to the previous year, when the total total reached around USD 135 million. (Important note: Not all funding rounds are publicly available; flagship founders use only publicly available data. Actual figures are likely higher, especially in early stage startups.) The increase is greatly driven by several major late funding rounds that raised USD 72.5 million in the recent Series B round.
The flagship founder emphasizes that Singapore, the UK, Germany and the US continue to dominate the world's maritime startup landscape, accounting for more than half of listed companies. “One of the outstanding trends is Greece growth, with the number of Greek startups on the map increasing from 9 to 14, potentially indicating the Mediterranean strengthening innovation ecosystem.
We shared another notable trend: clustering of regional themes. “The UK continues to recognize its position as a global finance hub. Almost half of all startups in the finance and insurance category are based there. There is about a third of all startups in the charter and trading category. Continental Europe is leading green technology and decarbonization.
Other regions show a high degree of diversity. For example, Singapore not only has the highest total number of startups (30), but also leads the number of eight representative categories, each with the US and Germany.
Classification
For the 2024 edition of the Global Maritime Tech Startup Map, the flagship founders include 149 software startups and scale-ups operating in the maritime industry. The selection criteria remain strict, with companies being established within the last decade (since 2014), focusing solely on software (except hardware) and requiring that they operate independently, not consolidated, merged or spun, rather than general logistics, rather than general logistics. It was not included in the 16 companies that were acquired or consolidated within the last year, and was on the 2023 map.
The flagship founder divided the company into ten major categories: finance and Insurtech. Charters & Commercials (Freight Transport Trends); Communication and Information; Condition and Maintenance; Crew & Crew Logistics; Nautical Optimization and Performance (Wrapping the Weather); Ports & Docks; Cybersecurity; Bunkers & Lubricants; and Greentech and Decarbonization.
It should be noted that many companies do not fit only into one category and may offer several services that enable them, for example, both “Communication and Information” and “Greentech & Deconobonization”. Therefore, each company is placed in the most applicable category.
