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Maritime · head to head

Bearing AI vs Portcast

Bearing AI logo

Bearing AI

Maritime

Machine learning vessel performance models for voyage and commercial decisions, embedded in partner platforms

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Portcast logo

Portcast

Maritime

AI-powered container tracking and ETA

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bearing AI bearing increasingly reaches customers embedded in partner platforms such as StormGeo, so the contract, support path and commercial relationship may be with the partner rather than with Bearing.; Portcast pricing not published on homepage or dedicated pricing page
  • They diverge on capability: Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Portcast covers Predictive ETAs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bearing AI and Portcast actually diverge.

Attributes where Bearing AI and Portcast differ
AttributeBearing AIPortcast
Starting priceOn request$500/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Cloud, APIWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2018

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maritime).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bearing AI

  • Vessel-specific consumption models
  • Speed optimisation
  • Emissions forecasting
  • Voyage evaluation
  • AIS-derived data
  • Weather-aware routing inputs
  • Fleet benchmarking
  • Partner platform embedding

Only in Portcast

  • Predictive ETAs
  • Container tracking
  • Exception alerts
  • Port congestion data
  • TMS platforms
  • ERP systems
  • Shipping lines
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bearing AI

  • A chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption tablenot Portcast
  • Projecting a vessel CII rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to itnot Portcast
  • Identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routingnot Portcast
  • Feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an APInot Portcast

Portcast

  • Real-time container and air cargo tracking across carriersnot Bearing AI
  • Predicted ETAs and delay forecasting for ocean freightnot Bearing AI
  • Port congestion monitoringnot Bearing AI
  • Auditing freight invoices automaticallynot Bearing AI
  • Feeding predicted arrival data into a TMS or ERPnot Bearing AI

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bearing AI

  • Bearing increasingly reaches customers embedded in partner platforms such as StormGeo, so the contract, support path and commercial relationship may be with the partner rather than with Bearing.
  • Model accuracy depends on the volume and honesty of historical voyage data, and fleets with sparse or inaccurate noon reporting get materially weaker vessel-specific models.
  • It is a modelling layer rather than a voyage management system of record, so it must be bought alongside a platform that handles the operational workflow.
  • As a venture-funded specialist with a small headcount, its long-term independence is uncertain, and a modelling layer inside someone else product is a fragile position if a partnership lapses.
  • Nothing is published on pricing or fleet size thresholds, so small owners cannot tell whether they are a viable customer without entering a sales process.

Portcast

  • Pricing not published on homepage or dedicated pricing page
  • No free tier or trial information disclosed
  • Features and billing model not detailed publicly

Pricing, plan by plan

Bearing AI

On request
  • Bearing AI$undefined/year
    • Priced per vessel per year on annual agreements
    • Often purchased indirectly as a component of a partner voyage optimisation service
    • Model onboarding requires historical voyage data supplied by the customer

Portcast

$500/month
  • Professional$1500/month
    • AI-powered ETAs
    • Container tracking
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Bearing AI if

  • You need vessel-specific consumption models.
  • You work on Web, Cloud, API.
  • You also want speed optimisation.
Bearing AI review

Choose Portcast if

  • You need predictive etas.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want container tracking.
Portcast review

Questions people ask

Is Bearing AI or Portcast better?
Neither clearly leads. Bearing AI starts at On request and Portcast at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bearing AI or Portcast?
Bearing AI starts at On request and Portcast at $500/month.
Does Bearing AI or Portcast run on more platforms?
Bearing AI runs on Web, Cloud, API. Portcast runs on Web, Api.
What is Bearing AI best used for?
Bearing AI is most often used for a chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption table, projecting a vessel cii rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to it, identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routing, feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an api. Of those, a chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption table and projecting a vessel cii rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to it are not what Portcast is typically brought in for.
What can Bearing AI do that Portcast cannot?
Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Speed optimisation, Emissions forecasting, Voyage evaluation. Portcast covers Predictive ETAs, Container tracking, Exception alerts, Port congestion data.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bearing AI: Can I buy Bearing AI directly?

Yes, but a growing share of its distribution is through partners such as StormGeo, where the models are embedded in that vendor voyage optimisation service.

Portcast: Where can I find Portcast pricing?

Portcast does not display pricing information on their website. They direct inquiries to Book a demo or Get in Touch options on their homepage for pricing and plan details. Source: https://www.portcast.io

Source
Bearing AI: Does it replace a voyage management system?

No. It is a performance modelling layer that feeds commercial and operational decisions made in another system.

Portcast: Does Portcast offer a free trial or demo?

Portcast emphasizes booking a demo as the primary way to learn about features and pricing. No free tier details are described on their homepage. Source: https://www.portcast.io

Source
Bearing AI: What data does it need?

Historical voyage data, noon reports and AIS positions, plus weather history. Data quality drives model quality directly.

Portcast: Is Portcast supply chain visibility software priced per user or by usage?

Portcast does not disclose their pricing model publicly. Contact their sales team through their website's demo booking or contact form to discuss per-user, usage-based, or other billing options. Source: https://www.portcast.io

Source
Bearing AI: Does it cover CII?

Yes, it projects CII ratings from the learned vessel model rather than from nominal consumption figures.

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