By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News | April 2, 2025
Seattle-based maritime logistics startup OpenTug has raised $2.2 million in a fresh funding round led by New York venture firm TMV, reinforcing its mission to transform marine freight operations through digital innovation.
Founded in 2019, OpenTug develops software that streamlines logistics across inland and coastal waterways, offering a modern solution for barge shipping, tugboat scheduling, and cargo tracking—sectors that have long relied on outdated processes.
Bringing Tech to the Tugboat Economy
At the core of OpenTug’s platform is a suite of tools that simplifies booking, quoting, and tracking for marine freight operators. By digitizing these traditionally manual tasks, OpenTug empowers customers to maximize vessel utilization and reduce logistical inefficiencies in the maritime freight ecosystem.
CEO Jason Aristides, who previously served as an operations analyst at Curtin Maritime Corp, is joined by COO Michael Baldwin, formerly of Amazon Web Services, and CTO Luciano de la Iglesia, a data science expert who spent time at Microsoft. Together, the founding team blends maritime operations insight with big-tech expertise.
“Waterborne freight has enormous potential for efficiency, but it’s been left behind in the digital transformation,” said Aristides. “Our goal is to make marine logistics as agile and transparent as trucking or air freight.”
A Rising Star in Seattle’s Supply Chain Scene
With this latest investment, OpenTug’s total funding reaches $5.3 million. The company joins a growing cluster of Seattle-based startups tackling various aspects of supply chain and logistics technology.
While the broader logistics industry has seen a surge in digitization—from autonomous warehouse robots to AI-driven route planning—marine freight logistics remains one of the final frontiers, especially on America’s inland waterways and coastal routes.
OpenTug’s customers include barge operators and tug services that play a critical role in moving commodities like grain, petroleum, and industrial equipment. The platform offers a centralized solution for coordinating operations that traditionally involve phone calls, faxes, and spreadsheets.
A Market Ripe for Disruption
The U.S. marine freight sector transports hundreds of millions of tons annually, yet digital adoption has lagged behind other modes of transport. OpenTug aims to close that gap by offering real-time visibility, capacity discovery, and automated logistics coordination for maritime operators.
Industry analysts note that growing concerns around port congestion, sustainability, and fuel efficiency are pushing shippers to explore alternative routes—including waterways. Platforms like OpenTug could help optimize underutilized capacity and improve emissions efficiency, especially as policymakers encourage multimodal transport solutions.
Next Phase: Scaling Across Waterways
OpenTug plans to use the new funds to expand its engineering team, accelerate product development, and scale customer acquisition along major waterborne trade corridors in North America.
TMV, the lead investor in this round, has a track record of backing mission-driven startups in logistics, supply chain, and climate tech.
“OpenTug is building the connective tissue for the blue economy,” said a spokesperson for TMV. “We believe they’re well positioned to digitize a sector that’s long overdue for innovation.”
Maria Kalamatas covers emerging tech in global logistics and supply chain transformation. Follow her work at The Logistic News for industry insight and updates on the future of freight.
