AI startup bags funding from impact heavyweights to slash shipping emissions: 'It's a real blind spot'

Shipping is responsible for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions. And larger vessels especially, are notoriously difficult to decarbonise.

Instead, Cetasol is targeting smaller and mid-sized ships – nearly 90% of the world’s fleet. The company claims its AI software can reduce the amount of fuel these boats use by 10–25%.

It's an incremental saving, but one the company argues can support both cost savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

“AI can have a massive impact across industries, and what stood out with Cetasol was how quickly their solution delivers results – you can see change from day one,” says Susanne Najafi, founding partner at Backing Minds.

AI at the helm

The system makes ships run more efficiently by collecting live data from the vessel and comparing it with a virtual copy – or digital twin – of the ship. This allows the iHelm to give captains instant advice on how to operate more efficiently, while also showing managers how the whole fleet is performing.

Founded by CEO Ethan Faghani, Cetasol emerged from Gothenburg’s maritime technology ecosystem and has already conducted pilots with commercial vessels.

"It’s not a crowded market, and Cetasol is already thinking globally, with conversations happening in places like Canada and Singapore," says Najafi "That ambition really impressed us."

The round comes hot on the heels of the closing of Shift4Good's new mobility fund earlier this year. The fund allocates €220m to go towards what the VC calls "transformative startups" working across the transport sector.