This I-Corps project is based on the development of an intelligent maritime navigation system that helps ships avoid fuel-wasting ocean conditions by optimizing routes in real time. The global shipping industry spends over $150 billion annually on fuel, with more than 20% lost due to inefficient routing through encountering waves. This technology offers a solution using autonomous, low-cost ocean sensors to collect real-time wave data and deliver smart route guidance through an intuitive software application. The system enables up to 6–10% fuel savings per trip, potentially cutting $10–14 billion in costs annually and reducing global emissions by 3%. This saving is equivalent to removing 12 million cars from the road. The technology may provide real-time marine data that may benefit cargo shipping companies, marine tour operators and soil barge operators as well as smaller operators such as yacht and tour boat companies. Additionally, scientists, the offshore wind industry, and the ocean wave power sector, may benefit from using these predictions and models. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a real-time, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ocean forecasting and routing system for maritime navigation. Despite advances in ocean modeling, limited real-time wave data and sparse satellite coverage continue to hinder routing accuracy and fuel efficiency. Th