The Orca AI platform has achieved official Technology Qualification (TQ) from ClassNK, the Japanese classification society, confirming that its real-time AI and computer vision meet the performance requirements for autonomous navigation.
This recognition underlines its role within the DFFAS+ (Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus) project, a major Japanese initiative led by MTI, part of the NYK Group.
Orca AI provides full-surround situational awareness through three SeaPod lookout units equipped with high-sensitivity RGB and thermal cameras, delivering a seamless 360-degree field of view around the vessel.
The system enables detection of overtaking vessels, piracy threats, and line-of-sight obstacles such as cranes and wind rotor sails, while transmitting tracked data in real time to the autonomous navigation system.
Object detection via image recognition was a key requirement for safe autonomous operations.
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The DFFAS+ consortium, involving 51 companies, is part of the Nippon Foundation’s MEGURI2040 program and aims to advance technology, standardise systems, and strengthen Japan’s commercial competitiveness in autonomous shipping.
This marks the second collaboration between MTI and Orca AI, following a successful autonomous voyage trial near Japan’s east coast three years ago.
Dr. Hideyuki Ando, Director of MTI, said: “We are pleased that the Genbu, flagship vessel of DFFAS+, has successfully obtained both the Automatic Navigation Vessel Notation from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) and the Autonomous Vessel Certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan). We would like to express our sincere gratitude for Orca AI’s continued support and cooperation, which contributed significantly to achieving this milestone.”
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Capt. Jun Nakamura, Manager, Autonomous Ship Team, MTI, added: “ClassNK’s Technology Qualification is a key step in moving autonomous vessel operations from trials to practical deployment. This qualification confirms that Orca AI’s perception capability is a validated source of real-time perception data for autonomous navigation systems.”
Dor Raviv, Co-Founder and CTO of Orca AI, said: “After extensive collaboration with ClassNK and deep technical work across areas such as perception accuracy, sensor fusion, and benchmarking, we are proud to receive this recognition. The TQ confirms that this capability is suitable for the demands of real-world autonomous operations.”
In December 2025, Orca AI signed a multi-year agreement with Gram Car Carriers to implement its AI-powered navigational safety and fleet analytics platform across GCC’s 22 owned vessels.
For more information:
Orca AI – https://www.orca-ai.io/
