AP Moller Maersk has turned to a Tel Aviv start up accelerator in its drive to shake up maritime logistics.

The Danish conglomerate has been hitting the headlines recently with its announcements about taking more control of the complete container logistics chain. As part of this the company is looking for startup clusters to help, with its latest move to partner with theDOCK Innovation Hub based in Tel Aviv. TheDock is one of a growing number of start-up cluster accelerator helping entrepreneurs with innovative ideas push ahead with their plans.

“Digital innovation and partnering with software companies of all sizes including startups to accelerate our product roadmaps play key roles in delivering that ambition,” said Ibrahim Gokcen, Chief Digital Officer for A.P. Moller Maersk in a statement.

In the statement theDock, co created by Hannan Carmeli and Nir Gartzman, said they see innovation as a strategic necessity for any organization, particularly the maritime and logistics sectors.

“The logistics domain presents an ocean of opportunities for innovation following decades of conservative evolution,” the company wrote. “Today, executives in newly established roles of digital and innovation officers, promote “open innovation” as means of encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and breakthrough innovation. These activities typically include promoting specific maritime challenges through events such as meetups and hackathons as well as scouting for creative ideas.”

According to Maersk the company is looking for opportunities to co-create what it calls “the next Unicorn in logistics” within the areas of fighting food waste, enabling trade, securing supply chains and next generation logistics. It said it will be using theDock to help identify the right companies to work with in achieving those goals

For theDock, the attention of one of the largest logistics and ship owning companies is welcome.

“We are privileged to partner with a global shipping leader such as Maersk. We are determined to harness local talent and Israel’s creative technologies to benefit the overall maritime sector,” said Carmeli. “We have no doubt of the win-win prospects for both Maersk as well as Israeli entrepreneurs.”