Singapore-based venture capital firm Motion Ventures has invested in maritime cybersecurity startup Cequra, signalling a shift in focus towards tools that go beyond traditional cyber defence and instead help crews make decisions when systems become unreliable or conflict with each other.
The move comes at a time when shipping is facing a growing mix of cyber and physical risks. GNSS spoofing, AIS manipulation, cyberattacks and even drone-related threats are increasingly overlapping across key global shipping routes, making navigation and situational awareness more complex than before.
Cequra is developing what it calls a “cyber-physical decision infrastructure layer”, designed to sit above existing onboard systems. The idea is to combine navigation, cyber and connectivity data into a single operational view for both ship crews and shore-based teams.
According to Shaun Hon, founder and general partner at Motion Ventures, the direction of travel is clear as vessels become permanently connected.
He notes that maritime security is now evolving from individual systems towards a vessel-wide approach, where the key value lies in the ability to interpret multiple data streams at once.
Hon also believes the next few years will define a new category of maritime technology, one that sits above existing IT, OT and GNSS systems and becomes the reference point operators rely on when uncertainty arises.
Cequra’s approach reflects this shift. As ships become more digitally integrated through satellite connectivity, remote access tools and fleet management platforms, the traditional separation between IT and operational systems is becoming less clear.
The startup’s platform is designed to continue operating even in degraded environments, including situations where GPS signals are manipulated or satellite links are disrupted.
For Cequra chief executive and co-founder Andrew Sallay, the priority is no longer just detecting cyber threats, but helping operators understand what information can actually be trusted when systems provide conflicting signals.
He describes the future of maritime cybersecurity as a decision-making layer, rather than just a monitoring tool.
The investment also comes as regulators increase pressure on the industry to demonstrate real cyber resilience. New IACS requirements, along with emerging US Coast Guard rules, are pushing operators beyond compliance checklists and towards proving they can maintain operational continuity during real incidents. Motion Ventures itself is backed by major maritime players including Wilhelmsen, Stolt-Nielsen and MOL PLUS, reflecting growing industry interest in technologies that strengthen both cyber defence and operational decision-making at sea.
