Windward acquires Azimut.ai, adding visual intelligence layer to maritime AI platform

Maritime AI company Windward has acquired visual intelligence startup Azimut.ai, adding camera-based vessel identification and tracking to its platform. The technology uses cameras at ports and chokepoints to detect vessels even when tracking systems are off. Windward plans to integrate visual data with ownership, sanctions, and behavioral analytics for government and commercial users.

Maritime AI company Windward has acquired visual intelligence startup Azimut.ai, adding camera-based vessel identification and tracking capabilities to its platform. The acquisition introduces a visual sensing layer that uses cameras deployed at ports and maritime chokepoints to detect, classify, and identify vessels in real time, even when traditional AIS signals are unavailable or deliberately switched off. The system can "fingerprint" ships and calculate their location, course, and speed from video feeds. Windward plans to integrate these visual detections with vessel ownership information, sanctions data, cargo intelligence, and behavioral analytics to create a broader operational picture for government and commercial users. The move comes as maritime operators face growing challenges from vessels that disable tracking systems. Windward CEO Ami Daniel described the acquisition as the first step toward building a proprietary visual intelligence layer, saying, "Owning these assets outright gives our customers a level of awareness and preparedness no one else can match." The system is designed with privacy protections, providing intelligence outputs rather than raw images. Windward plans to expand its camera network through partnerships with port operators. No financial terms were disclosed.