Start-up technology firms Fidelis AI and Lorefully have been selected to trial their solutions on site alongside established companies in the maritime sector.

The two companies were welcomed on to the Transport Accelerator: Maritime 2025 as part of a cohort of seven SMEs in September.

Fidelis AI will run a trial of its AI-powered 3D-simulation technology with Serco and Portsmouth International Port in parallel, to efficiently assess autonomous systems development against business goals within representative use cases and environments in the maritime sector, including defence and autonomous systems in ports.

"This is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate how our AI simulation technologies can drive efficiency and enhance autonomous systems development,” says Fidelis AI Chief Executive, Dr Abanoub Ghobrial.

“These trials will provide strong external validation of Fidelis AI, laying the foundations for deeper commercial relationships, broader adoption across the maritime industry, and a major milestone in our roadmap; contributing towards safer and more scalable autonomy in the UK and beyond."

Lorefully will team up with the National Shipbuilding Office to develop its AI platform to help capture and share critical operational knowledge from frontline teams and communities; creating insights to improve decision making to keep people safe and systems running smoothly.

“We are thrilled to be working with Connected Places Catapult and the National Shipbuilding Office to investigate the critical challenge of skills within the shipbuilding sector,” says Lorefully Chief Executive, Dr Amrit Chandan. “This is a vital sector for the UK, and we are pleased to contribute towards helping to grow the industry using our technology.”

Funded by Innovate UK, the Transport Accelerator: Maritime programme supports SMEs with pioneering solutions that could be applicable to maritime and the wider transport sector. Previous participants on Connected Places Catapult’s Maritime Accelerator – the predecessor to this programme – have gone on to raise over £24m in private investment as a result of the programme.

"Increasingly advanced technologies are being developed in maritime, which presents a huge opportunity for the UK to present itself as a frontrunner in this sector.

“Our maritime-focused accelerators have tracked the rise of innovation in the sector, and the latest cohort has yielded two companies developing tailored solutions which harness artificial intelligence to drive informed decision making. We look forward to seeing these two solutions proceed to real world trials."

Connected Places Catapult’s Aviation and Maritime Director, Arthy Ravichandran

Find out more about the Transport Accelerator: Maritime.