DockTech

DockTech is an Israeli startup that has developed an innovative digital twin technology to optimize operations and increase efficiency in the maritime shipping industry. The company's solution utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis to create a virtual representation of the seabed and waterways in ports and rivers. By collecting bathymetric (depth measurement) data from sensors mounted on tugboats and other harbor vessels, DockTech generates real-time insights and forecasts about waterway conditions.

The digital twin technology enables stakeholders, such as port authorities and shipping companies, to track waterway depths and understand how silting patterns affect navigation safety and cargo transport. This information helps in making data-driven decisions regarding draft restrictions, allowing for more efficient loading of vessels while adhering to safety regulations. DockTech's solution also supports better resource allocation for dredging operations, reducing unnecessary costs by identifying critical areas that require intervention.

DockTech's technology has been implemented in over 25 ports across multiple countries, including the US, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Australia, Germany, Romania, Spain, and Israel. In December 2021, the company signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Santos Port Authority in Brazil, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of its solution in Latin America's largest port facility.

In September 2023, DockTech celebrated another milestone by signing an agreement with Portos RS, a Brazilian port authority responsible for managing the ports of Rio Grande, Pelotas, and Porto Alegre. This marked the first time a Brazilian port authority had signed an agreement with a foreign startup offering seabed monitoring solutions.

Key customers and partnerships

DockTech has formed partnerships with various port authorities, terminal operators, and shipping companies worldwide to implement its digital twin technology. In Brazil, the company has collaborated with Wilson Sons, the largest port-shipping logistics operator in the country. Wilson Sons has been making its fleet of tugboats available to collect depth data in ports along the Brazilian coast for over three years, enabling DockTech to monitor waterway conditions accurately.

In the US, DockTech has initiated a collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers and its Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), exploring the potential deployment of the digital twin technology on Corps vessels to enhance operations along the Mississippi River.

Furthermore, DockTech has received investment from Cultivation Capital, a St. Louis-based venture capital firm focused on geospatial technology companies.