London-based Sedna Communications, a leader in maritime communication technology, has secured $10 million in debt financing from CIBC Innovation Banking to expand its AI-driven platform and accelerate growth. The company is tackling one of the shipping industry’s most persistent pain points: email overload.
Despite being the backbone of global trade, the maritime sector continues to rely heavily on traditional email for critical communications—a system that often leads to delays, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities due to its unstructured nature.
Turning Emails Into Operational Intelligence
Founded in 2017 by Bill Dobie, a veteran in marine software innovation, Sedna was designed to transform how global shipping and supply chain companies manage communication. Its platform uses artificial intelligence to extract actionable insights from high volumes of email traffic, integrating key data like vessel names and cargo details directly into operational systems such as SAP and Veson Nautical.
This AI-first approach streamlines workflows, reduces noise, and enables teams to collaborate more effectively—all within a unified workspace.
“We’re not just improving communication,” said Robert Scott, Sedna’s CFO. “We’re helping companies operate smarter by turning email into a source of real-time intelligence.”.
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Measurable Impact on Productivity
Sedna’s clients, which include port agents, brokers, charterers, and vessel operators, have reported significant productivity gains:
- 10 hours saved per user per week
- 80% boost in team efficiency
- 200% increase in operator capacity
The platform has quickly become the go-to solution for maritime email management, further strengthened by Sedna’s 2024 acquisition of Nordic IT, a specialist in high-volume email solutions.
Backing from CIBC Innovation Banking
The $10M financing will support Sedna’s global expansion, further AI model development, and deeper integration with partner platforms across the maritime tech stack.
“Sedna’s technology is solving a vital challenge in global trade,” said Sean Duffy, Managing Director, UK & Europe at CIBC. “Their ability to deliver the right information to the right people, at the right time, is transforming the way this industry operates.”
A Vision for the Future of Maritime Tech
With this new funding, the company is doubling down on its mission to drive efficiency and transparency across the global supply chain. As the sector evolves, Sedna aims to remain at the forefront, enabling faster, smarter decisions through next-gen communication tools built for the real-world complexities of global trade.
“In a time when speed and precision matter more than ever,” said Scott, “this investment gives us the momentum to scale our impact and redefine communication for the maritime world.”
