What VAF Instruments does

VAF Instruments B.V., headquartered in Dordrecht, Netherlands, with a regional office in Seoul, South Korea, is a manufacturer of specialized maritime measurement systems serving global commercial shipping. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Aalberts Group, the company counts among its customers the world's largest container lines (CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC, HMM, Seaspan), cruise operators (Carnival, Costa, Hurtigruten), shipbuilders (Damen Shipyards), and engine/OEM partners (Wärtsilä, Berg Propulsion). VAF addresses fuel consumption measurement, propulsion efficiency optimization, and automated compliance reporting for shipping operators facing EU-ETS, CII, EU-MRV, IMO DCS, FUEL EU, and EEXI regulations, and positions itself as a one-stop-shop solutions provider across the full vessel lifecycle.

VAF's product architecture combines onboard hardware sensors with data acquisition systems and a cloud platform. Core sensor technologies include the T-Sense optical torque meter (maintenance-free, non-contact optical measurement eliminating strain gauges), the TT-Sense torque and thrust meter, the AQ-Rate Coriolis mass flowmeter (offering 0.4% high-precision and 0.15% ultra-high-precision variants for LNG, methanol, and HFO), VISCOSENSE viscosity and density sensors, and PT2 positive displacement flowmeters. The SPU-3 signal processing unit aggregates inputs from up to 12 flowmeters alongside GPS, speed log, and auxiliary signals and consolidates them into a single Ethernet feed, while the PEM-4 propulsion efficiency monitor provides onboard touchscreen visualization. The IVY cloud platform consolidates this high-frequency data into a fleet view tracking 40+ vessel-level KPIs, with API integration to third-party BI tools. Compliance-specific products include the ShaPoLi shaft power limiter (EEXI) and the OILCON Mark 6 oil discharge monitoring system, the latter based on a patented multiple scattering measurement technique.

VAF generates revenue through a blended model spanning hardware sales (sensors and data collection systems), subscription/cloud fees for the IVY performance monitoring platform, professional installation and commissioning services, and service-level agreements that deliver 24/7 operational support across a vessel's lifetime. Distribution combines a global agent network of authorized Sales & Service Agents, Sales Agents, and Service Agents with direct enterprise sales to shipyards for newbuild installation and to operators for retrofit projects. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company holds an extensive portfolio of maritime class society certifications, including DNV, Lloyd's Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas, and USCG approvals, which function as a meaningful barrier to entry in regulated vessel newbuild and refit workflows.

Name

VAF Instruments

Legal name

VAF Instruments B.V.

Website

https://vaf.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Short description

VAF Instruments B.V., a Netherlands-based maritime measurement specialist and Aalberts Group subsidiary, manufactures optical sensors, flowmeters, and the IVY cloud platform for propulsion performance monitoring and regulatory compliance on commercial vessels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Sensor Manufacturing

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Propulsion Control, Monitoring & Automation (ECS, PMS interface) (IMAJAHAH), Propulsion Integration, Commissioning & Testing (Factory/sea trials, alignment) (IMAJAHAM)

Keywords

• Maritime sensor manufacturing
• Propulsion performance monitoring
• Fuel flow measurement
• Torque thrust meters
• Environmental compliance reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

Dordrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of maritime measurement sensors including Coriolis flowmeters, positive displacement flowmeters, viscosity sensors, torque meters, and thrust meters. Hardware forms the foundational layer of the measurement infrastructure.
2. Data Collection Systems: Sale of data collection hardware including SPU-3 signal processing units and PEM-4 propulsion efficiency monitors. Systems integrate multiple sensor inputs and provide visualization capabilities.
3. Software & Cloud Services: VAF IVY® cloud-based propulsion performance monitoring solution providing automated reporting, fleet comparison, and KPI tracking. Supports compliance with environmental regulations including EU-ETS, CII, EU-MRV, and IMO DCS.
4. Installation & Commissioning: Full installation and commissioning services for sensors and data collection systems on vessels.
5. Service Level Agreements: Ongoing operational support and maintenance services through various service level agreements for the lifetime of vessels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VAF Instruments designs and manufactures high-technology maritime sensors (Coriolis and positive displacement fuel flowmeters, optical torque and thrust meters, viscosity/density sensors) and high-frequency data collection hardware (SPU-3, PEM-4, IPC) for ship propulsion performance monitoring. It complements this hardware with the IVY® cloud platform providing automated regulatory reporting (EU-ETS, CII, EU-MRV, IMO DCS, FUEL EU) and fleet analytics, plus installation, commissioning, and lifetime service-level agreements for vessel operators.

Product overview

VAF Instruments provides a comprehensive maritime performance monitoring portfolio combining advanced sensors with cloud-based data management. The core offering consists of: (1) Sensor Technologies including Coriolis mass flowmeters (AQ-Rate®), positive displacement flowmeters (PT2), viscosity sensors (VISCOSENSE®), torque meters (T-SENSE®), and thrust meters (TT-SENSE®) for fuel consumption and propulsion measurement; (2) Data Collection Hardware including the SPU-3 signal processing unit and PEM-4 propulsion efficiency monitor for high-frequency data acquisition; (3) IVY® cloud platform for fleet performance monitoring, automated regulatory reporting (EU-ETS, CII, EU-MRV, IMO DCS), and fleet comparison with 40+ KPIs; (4) Compliance Solutions including ShaPoLi for EEXI compliance and OILCON® MARK 6 for oil discharge monitoring. The portfolio supports vessel performance optimization, environmental compliance, and operational cost reduction across the maritime industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IVY: Cloud-based propulsion performance monitoring and reporting solution for fleet management
• ShaPoLi
• Vento
• OILCON
• VISCOSENSE
• T-SENSE
• TT-SENSE
• AQ-RATE
• PEM
• SPU

Products and services

• VISCOSENSE® & VISCOSENSE®3D Viscosity and density sensors providing viscosity measurement (VS3) and combined viscosity and density measurement (VS3D) for optimizing combustion and preventing engine damage on marine engines.
• PT2 Positive Displacement Flow Meter Long-term proven maritime positive displacement flowmeter with low pressure drop, compact design, and wide flow range measurement capability for marine fuel measurement applications.
• Coriolis Mass Flow Meter (AQ-Rate®) Coriolis mass flowmeter providing direct mass flow measurement (kg/h) with high measuring range and obstruction-free design, available in HP (0.4%) and UHP (0.15%) accuracy versions; applicable for LNG, methanol, and HFO.
• T-SENSE® Optical Torque Meter Maintenance-free optical torque meter for measuring torque, power, and RPM on ship propulsion shafts, with SFOC capability and optical sensor technology that eliminates strain gauges and physical contact with rotating shafts.
• TT-SENSE® Torque & Thrust Meter Torque and thrust meter providing comprehensive propulsion measurement and classification of propeller and hull efficiency, with connectivity to other onboard sensors for real-time propeller efficiency analysis.
• VAF ShaPoLi Shaft Power Limiter Shaft Power Limiter system for EEXI compliance that works across engine makers with actual power use available instantly on the bridge.
• SPU-3® Signal Processing Unit High-frequency data collection unit supporting up to 12 flowmeter inputs and 8 consumers, consolidating data from flowmeters, torque sensors, GPS, speed logs, and auxiliary systems into a single Ethernet output, built to IP65 standards for engine room environments.
• PEM-4® Propulsion Efficiency Monitor Touchscreen propulsion efficiency monitoring system providing real-time visualization of vessel propulsion performance, fuel efficiency, shaft power, torque, RPM, vessel speed, thrust, and efficiency indicators via dashboards, diagrams, and KPIs.
• VAF IVY® Cloud Propulsion Performance Platform Cloud-based propulsion performance monitoring solution providing automated MRV, IMO DCS, EU-ETS, and CII reporting, fleet comparison, 40+ vessel KPIs tracking, and integration to third-party BI tools via API.
• OILCON® Mark 6 Oil Discharge Monitoring & Control System Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System using a patented multiple scattering measurement technique for continuous online monitoring of discharge water during de-ballasting operations; compliant with MARPOL requirements MEPC 108(49) and 240(65) for biofuel requirements.
• VAF Vento Wind Monitoring Solution Wind monitoring solution for real-time measurement and verification of wind-assisted propulsion system performance, providing verified fuel savings and emissions reduction with compliance to IMO and FuelEU regulations.
• Installation, Commissioning and Service Level Agreements Full installation, commissioning, and ongoing operational support services delivered through service-level agreements for VAF sensors and data collection systems on commercial vessels, backed by a 24/7 global sales-and-service agent network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fuel savings of up to 20% through propulsion performance optimization
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Berg PropulsioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAF supplies sensors for Berg Propulsion wind-assisted propulsion systems installed on Airbus Ro-Ro vessels. This partnership demonstrates VAF's capability to provide measurement solutions for innovative propulsion technologies.
• NorsepowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAF Vento product is designed to measure and verify the performance of Norsepower and other wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), enabling operators to quantify fuel savings and demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaf-instruments-bv
• Xx.com/VAF_Instruments

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VAF Instruments