- Azimut.ai technology can detect vessels that have gone dark to avoid detection
- Windward plans to deploy cameras at ports and maritime chokepoints
- Customers will receive vessel analytics rather than raw camera footage
Windward has acquired maritime visual intelligence company Azimut.ai to expand maritime intelligence capabilities and add another source of vessel information for its customers in the public and private sectors. Windward said Tuesday the purchase is its first venture into sensors mounted on ships and on the ground, giving its multi-source offering an optical layer.
What Does Azimut.ai Bring to Windward?
The optical sensing capability is designed to recognize ships and capture their distinguishing signatures in real time at ports and chokepoints, including vessels that have gone dark to avoid detection. Windward plans to station cameras along key sea routes and chokepoints as part of the effort.
According to Windward, vessel tracking today draws on signals such as Automatic Identification System transmissions, radio frequency data and satellite imagery. These sources have limitations. Some ships do not transmit signals, while systems that rely on cooperation or suitable conditions can be disabled, jammed or disrupted by adverse weather.
Windward said customers will not receive raw images or videos. The system is designed to analyze vessel activity rather than to identify or verify people. The company added that it designed the system with privacy and security in mind.
How Does the Deal Fit Windward’s Strategy?
The acquisition extends Windward’s all-source approach into what the company calls a proprietary sensor and visual-proof layer.
Each visual sighting will be matched against Windward’s existing behavioral intelligence and risk layers, as well as cargo, sanctions and ownership records. The goal is to give users an assessment they can explain and act on.
Windward CEO and Co-Founder Ami Daniel described the acquisition as the company’s “first step in building a proprietary visual intelligence layer.” He said owning the sensors outright would give customers unmatched awareness and preparedness. Daniel also called on maritime stakeholders and others pursuing safer, more secure oceans to sign on as site partners.
The company said partnership is one of three layers underpinning its business, alongside its multi-source datasets and its Maritime AI, which handles tasks such as anomaly detection, vessel verification and behavioral pattern recognition.
Windward has previously teamed with other companies to strengthen its maritime domain awareness capabilities. In April, the company and Vantor began integrating Vantor’s Sentry persistent monitoring system with Windward’s Maritime AI to enable continuous, automated tracking of maritime activity worldwide. Sentry applies AI-driven fingerprinting to establish persistent vessel identities from imagery, enabling operators to continue monitoring ships when tracking systems are disabled.
Windward also previously collaborated with HawkEye 360 to integrate space-based RF data into its maritime intelligence platform, helping law enforcement groups, financial organizations and maritime insurers enhance their maritime domain awareness.
What Is Windward?
Windward is a maritime AI company that provides multi-source intelligence for maritime operations. It combines AIS data, remote sensing signals, proprietary AI models and generative AI to give defense and intelligence agencies, law enforcement and commercial customers a view of global maritime activity.
In June, the company appointed retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert Sharp as chief maritime intelligence officer. Sharp, a two-time Wash100 Award recipient, works directly with Daniel to guide Windward’s intelligence strategy and expand engagement with government, defense, national security and commercial clients.
A 34-year Navy veteran, Sharp led the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency from 2019 to 2022. He also commanded the Office of Naval Intelligence and directed the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office.
