DockTech has operations in five countries so far
DockTech, a start-up which uses digital twin technology and data analysis to track waterway depth, has completed a new US$2.5m investment round, with participation from Wilson Sons and venture capital funds.
Founded by former Israeli Navy officer Uri Yoselevich, the solution uses bathymetric (depth measurement) data collected by tugs and other harbour vessels to create a virtual representation of the seabed of ports and waterways.
It consists of real-time tracking of waterway depth and understanding how the silting pattern of ports can affect shipping and cargo transport safety.
The latest investment round saw Brazilian maritime logistics operator Wilson Sons increase its minority stake in Dock Tech, while venture capital funds theDOCK (Israel) and Cultivation Capital (USA), as well as some retail investors also participated.
The funds raised will support the start-up in the development of new applications, commercial prospecting and will help scale up the product.
Yoselevich stated: “Over the last few months, DockTech has received positive feedback and a lot of input to bring its product to the current stage.
“The latest tests in Brazil, our biggest market today, and in other parts of the world, show us that the insights generated by our technology help ports in the daily management of operations.”
He continued: “If we can, with this technology, avoid unnecessary costs through more assertive dredging planning, and allow greater volumes of cargo loading onto ships, for example, we will be fulfilling our purpose.”
The start-up has operations in five countries, with 95 vessels monitored in 35 locations.
In addition to monitoring Brazilian ports using Wilson Sons’ 80 tugs, it operates in the United States (Tampa Bay), Colombia (Barranquilla), Romania (Danube) and Israel (Ashdod and Danchor).
In December 2021, Wilson Sons and DockTech signed a cooperation agreement with Santos Port Authority (SPA) for the use of the technology in Santos.
Since then, the start-up has signed letters of intent with several other Brazilian ports including CODESA, Praticagem do Rio de Janeiro, Porto do Açu and Portos RS.
Yoselevich added: “The global port infrastructure does not yet have any instruments capable of monitoring in real time the depth of shipping lanes and access to berths.
“Our solution makes it possible to perform this measurement dynamically while avoiding operating draft restrictions, one of the biggest pains in the port industry.”
Eduardo Valença, digital transformation director at Wilson Sons, said: “With the technology developed by DockTech, we scan the seabed for variations and collect data in real time, 24 hours a day.
“This is to avoid ship draught restrictions and increase shipping safety, also allowing the optimisation of dredging investments in Brazilian ports.”
