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The maritime sector is undergoing its most significant technological transformation in decades. From carbon-cutting propulsion systems to AI-driven navigation, emerging companies are challenging legacy models and reshaping how ships are built, operated, and maintained. These 50 startups are securing funding, landing commercial deals, and driving real-world impact, setting the pace for what the industry will look like in 2026.
⚠️ Important At Ship Universe, we strive for accuracy and up-to-date information in all our reports. However, due to the fast-moving nature of the maritime innovation space, there may be occasional errors, omissions, or changes in funding rounds, partnerships, or company status. We encourage readers to visit each company’s official website for the latest details. If you spot a mistake or have an update to share, we welcome corrections.
1️⃣ Saronic 🇺🇸
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2022
Autonomous vessel platforms for defense and commercial ports
Launched Port Alpha autonomous-shipyard program
$600M Series C
Scaling from military contracts into high-value commercial port automation
2️⃣ Blue Water Autonomy 🇺🇸
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2024
Fully autonomous surface vessels for naval and offshore applications
Exited stealth mode with next-gen unmanned ship prototype
Undisclosed seed round
Positioned to compete in emerging autonomous naval fleet tenders
3️⃣ Maritime Robotics 🇳🇴
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2018
Uncrewed surface and aerial vehicles for maritime survey and monitoring
Secured $12M growth capital to expand production
$12M Growth Round
Growing defense and offshore survey contracts in Europe and Asia
4️⃣ Orca AI 🇮🇱
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2018
AI collision-avoidance and navigation optimization for commercial fleets
Raised $72.5M Series B for global expansion
$72.5M Series B
Adoption by major container and tanker operators positions it as a leader in AI navigation
5️⃣ Amogy 🇺🇸
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2020
Ammonia-to-power systems for zero-emission shipping
Raised $80M to scale commercial modules
$80M Series B
Poised for first commercial vessel deployments using ammonia fuel
6️⃣ Seabound 🇬🇧
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2021
On-board carbon-capture retrofit modules
Full-scale trial on Hartmann cement carrier set for Q4-2025
US $6.8 M seed + £1.2 M UK grants
First commercial CCS unit sailing before IMO carbon levies bite
7️⃣ Norsjór 🇳🇴
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2021
Sub-sea laser hull-cleaning robots
Five pilot units slated for deployment autumn 2025
≈ US $100 k Innovation Norway grant + seed (undisclosed)
Laser-only cleaning avoids runoff and cuts fuel-burn ≈ 8-12 %
8️⃣ GT Wings 🇬🇧
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2022
“AirWing” automated jet-sail propulsion
Won £1 M CMDC-6 grant, Jul 2025
£1 M government grant
Sea trials on short-sea ro-ro booked for 1H-2026
9️⃣ Econowind 🇳🇱
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2016
VentoFoil suction-wing sails
€1 M Invest International capital to scale XL foils (Feb 2025)
€1 M growth funding
Targeting 30 % fuel savings on bulkers & MPPs, backlog into 2026
🔟 WingTek 🇬🇧
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2020
Foldable wing-rig propulsion for tankers & bulkers
£2.2 M Innovate UK CMDC-3 grant (Mar 2024)
£2.2 M grant
Full-scale rig sea trials booked for 2026 North-Sea shuttle
1️⃣1️⃣ Value Maritime 🇳🇱
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2017
Modular carbon-capture scrubbers (CCS)
Masterplan 2024 grant to install CCS on LNG vessel (Jan 2025)
ME2CC grant (amount undisclosed)
EU ETS cost-avoidance drives CCS retrofits across LNG fleets
1️⃣2️⃣ CyberOwl 🇬🇧
Founded
Core Focus
Latest Milestone
Funding
Why Watch in 2026
2016
OT-centric cyber-risk monitoring (Medulla)
6th annual “CyberSecure at Sea” conference, Athens (May 2025)
Gained traction with global ship owners for cost savings and tech-savvy insights
Bootstrapped
Combines editorial experience with interactive calculators & in-depth guides
From AI navigation and carbon-capture retrofits to autonomous ferries and blockchain-driven supply chains, the innovation happening across the maritime world is nothing short of extraordinary.
At Ship Universe, we believe in celebrating the builders, those creating real solutions for real problems at sea and in port. This list isn’t about hype. It’s about what’s gaining traction, what’s being deployed, and what’s ready to scale in 2026.
If your startup didn’t make the list but should have, or if you’re an investor, partner, or operator working with a standout company, we want to hear from you.
