Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias

What Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias does

Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN) is a Spanish public consortium established in 2007 through an agreement between the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the Government of the Canary Islands. It operates as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) that constructs, equips, and operates a multi-facility marine research platform located off the coast of Gran Canaria. PLOCAN serves public and private research institutions, universities, and government agencies requiring access to deep-water ocean environments, marine autonomous systems, and standardized ocean observation data.

PLOCAN's offering is organized around five infrastructure pillars: an offshore platform providing access to depths up to approximately 600 meters; the ESTOC oceanic node 60 nautical miles north of Gran Canaria at 3,670 meters depth; a cabled multidisciplinary ocean observatory integrating EGIM and FerryBox monitoring systems; the VIMAS autonomous vehicle fleet (gliders, ROVs, ASVs); and onshore facilities comprising 400 m² of workshops, a wet laboratory, and a control room. Around these, the consortium sells technical services including data delivery, hosting/test-site access, marine operations, and oceanographic laboratory services, and runs educational programs such as the EDUROVs underwater robotics workshops and the annual Glider School.

PLOCAN's business model is hybrid: core funding flows from the two government sponsors plus competitive EU research programs (Horizon Europe, INTERREG, EMFAF, NextGenerationEU), while incremental revenue comes from published access fees for facility use (€173.61–€1,083.96 per day for continuous use; €177.00–€4,597.50 per day for working-hours access) and billed technical services. The consortium participates in European research networks including EMSO, Euro-Argo, and ICOS, and coordinates the Red BEAM Mid-Atlantic Test Site Network under INTERREG VI-D MAC 2021-2027. Recent strategic activity has emphasized AI-enabled environmental monitoring (SIRENA 2 project with ICMAT-CSIC), new oceanographic sensor integration (Blue Upgrade), and expansion into commercial aquaculture monitoring.

Name

Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias

Legal name

El Consorcio para el diseño, la construcción, el equipamiento y la explotación de la Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias

Website

https://plocan.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN) is a Spanish public consortium operating an offshore marine research platform — including a cabled observatory, deep-water ESTOC node, and autonomous vehicle fleet — that provides testing, observation, and training services to research institutions, universities, and government agencies across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Telde

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Infrastructure Funding: Core funding from government consortium between Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and Government of Canary Islands. Additional funding from competitive EU research programs (Horizon Europe, INTERREG, EMFAF, etc.) and national research programs.
2. Facility Access Fees: Charges for access to offshore platform, test site, observatory, VIMAS fleet, and onshore facilities. Fees structured by consumption level, access type (remote, partially remote, in situ), and exclusivity.
3. Technical Services: Billed technical and operations personnel services for campaign preparation, system integration and testing, field supervision, and logistics management at hourly rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN) is a public consortium that constructs, equips, and operates a set of marine research infrastructures for marine science and technology. Its offering combines physical infrastructure — an offshore platform, a cabled ocean observatory, a test site, the VIMAS autonomous vehicle fleet, and onshore workshops and laboratories — with technical services including marine operations, hosting/testing, oceanographic laboratory analysis, and data distribution to research users.

Product overview

PLOCAN (Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias) is a public consortium established in 2007, co-founded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and the Government of the Canary Islands, that constructs, equips, and operates marine research infrastructure. Its offering consists of a multi-facility ocean science and technology platform organized around five core infrastructure pillars: the Offshore Ocean Platform (offering access to depths up to ~600m, with the deep-water ESTOC node at 3,670m), the Test Site (Banco de Ensayos), the cabled Ocean Observatory, VIMAS (a fleet of autonomous marine vehicles — gliders, ROVs, ASVs), and the Onshore Headquarters (workshops and laboratories). Around these, PLOCAN provides five services: Data Service, Hosting Service, Marine Technical Operations with VIMAS, Marine Operations on the Offshore Platform, and Oceanographic Laboratory services. The consortium also operates outreach and training programs including the EDUROVs underwater robotics workshop, the annual Glider School training program, and the Educational Passages (Botes Educativos) mini-sailboat initiative. PLOCAN operates as a distributed ICTS ( Singular Scientific-Technical Infrastructure), coordinating with international networks including EMSO, Euro-Argo, ICOS, and GEOSS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plataforma Oceánica Offshore (Offshore Ocean Platform) An offshore ocean platform providing efficient access to the ocean at increasing depths up to approximately 600 meters, supporting continuous 24/7/365 scientific and technological experimentation. Used by research institutions and technology developers requiring deep-water research access.
• Banco de Ensayos (Test Site) Marine technology testing facilities for fixed and floating experimental devices, special structures, marine components, operational technologies, and wave energy converters, supporting the entire product development lifecycle from concept to market. For companies and research groups developing marine technologies.
• Observatorio Oceánico (Ocean Observatory) A cabled multidisciplinary ocean observatory generating high-quality, high-resolution time series on the physical, chemical, biogeochemical, acoustic, and visual state of the ocean through continuous automated monitoring. Integrates EGIM and FerryBox systems and feeds standardized data into international ocean observing networks.
• VIMAS (Autonomous Marine Inspection Vehicles) A fleet of autonomous marine observing vehicles including gliders (Waveglider, Slocum, Seaglider, Seaexplorer), ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), and ASVs (Autonomous Surface Vehicles) for extended autonomous ocean observation missions in various weather conditions.
• Sede en Tierra (Onshore Headquarters) Onshore headquarters integrating 400 m² of equipped workshops for electronics and mechanical integration, repair, storage, and logistics; a wet laboratory with a saltwater tank; and a control room for piloting marine vehicles.
• Servicio de Datos (Data Service) Service offering observational data acquired by lagrangian observation systems, primarily autonomous marine vehicles and drifter buoys, distributed to the research community for marine science studies.
• Servicio de Hosting (Hosting Service) Hosting service providing multi-scale testing capabilities for fixed and floating experimental devices, special structures, marine component testing, operational technology trials, and experimental technology, concept, or service testing in the marine environment.
• Servicio de Operaciones Técnicas Marinas con VIMAS Marine technical operations service providing access to the fleet of gliders, ROVs, and ASVs based in the Canary Islands for autonomous marine observation missions, including campaign preparation, system integration, testing, field supervision, and logistics.
• Servicio de Operaciones Marinas en la Plataforma Oceánica Offshore Marine operations service providing efficient access to the ocean at increasing depths in an environmentally sustainable manner, enabling scientific and technological experimentation including device installation, prototype testing, sample collection, and continuous 24/7/365 operations.
• Laboratorio Oceanográfico (Oceanographic Laboratory) Oceanographic laboratory providing scientific-technical services for marine research, including facilities for sample analysis and experimentation.
• Glider School Annual international reference training school in marine glider technology, covering hardware and software aspects through theoretical and practical sessions using glider units of different technologies (Waveglider, Slocum, Seaglider, Seaexplorer). For university students and sector professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deployment of EGIM and FerryBox systems enhanced ocean observation with continuous high-resolution data on physical, chemical, biogeochemical, acoustic and visual parameters
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• ICMAT-CSIC (Institute of Mathematical Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026SIRENA 2 project consortium coordinator. ICMAT-CSIC leads development of AI-driven remote monitoring system for aquaculture environmental risk detection, combining satellite imagery with mathematical models. PLOCAN provides VIMAS fleet and in-situ observation capabilities.
• University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026SIRENA 2 project partner through ECOAQUA (Institute for Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems) and IUCES (Institute for Cybernetics, Business and Society) for sustainable aquaculture research and marine technology development.
• IEO-CSIC (Spanish Institute of Oceanography - Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of ESTOC infrastructure. IEO provides oceanographic research vessels for sampling campaigns, mooring deployment, and observatory maintenance. Strategic collaboration for marine science development in Canary Islands and Atlantic.
• VICOROB (Computer Vision and Robotics Group, University of Girona)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDUROVs project collaboration for developing underwater robotics education program. VICOROB contributes computer vision and robotics expertise to secondary school ROV construction and operation workshops.
• Gorona del Viento El HierrosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement for wave energy capture research at El Hierro. Joint development of research projects promoting renewable energy innovation in the Canary Islands.
• Portuguese Hydrographic InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in ocean observation in Macaronesian Region. Joint Seaglider deployment missions between Portugal and Gran Canaria for scientific-technical oceanographic campaigns.
• Red BEAM (INTERREG VI-D MAC Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLOCAN coordinates Red BEAM network (Mid-Atlantic Test Site Network) validating new ocean technologies from concept to market. Funded by INTERREG VI-D Madeira-Azores-Canarias Programme 2021-2027.
• APROMAR (Spanish Aquaculture Business Association)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSIRENA 2 project participant for technology transfer to aquaculture industry. Connects research outputs with commercial aquaculture sector stakeholders.
• Gran Canaria Coastal Action GroupsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSIRENA 2 project participant for regional stakeholder engagement in aquaculture environmental monitoring.
• EMSO ERIC (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory)coreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean research infrastructure network for ocean observation. PLOCAN's cabled observatory integrates with EMSO standards and contributes to European ocean observing systems.
• Euro-Argo ERICcoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean contribution to the Argo profiling float program. PLOCAN operates glider fleets that complement the Argo float network for enhanced ocean observation.
• ICOS ERIC (Integrated Carbon Observation System)coreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean research infrastructure providing high-precision, long-term greenhouse gas observations. ICOS-Spain network extends coverage to subtropical Atlantic through PLOCAN facilities.
• MARINERG-i (Marine Renewable Energy Distributed Research Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU distributed research infrastructure uniting offshore renewable energy testing facilities. PLOCAN contributes as testing facility for floating wind and wave energy technologies.
• SBEP (Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Partnership with 59 partners from 25 countries driving transition to sustainable blue economy. PLOCAN participates in aligning R&I priorities and launching co-funded calls.
• ESTEYCOsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerELICAN project partnership for first fixed-foundation marine wind turbine prototype in Spain. PLOCAN hosts testing at its underwater electricity grid (REDSUB).
• European Space Agency (ESA)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on 'Atlantic from Space' workshop for Sentinel satellites integration with ocean observation capabilities.
• RTSYSsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationEGIM (EMSO Generic Instrument Module) developer. PLOCAN deployed RTSYS EGIM for continuous oceanographic monitoring at offshore platform.
• 4H-JenasecondaryTechnology or IntegrationFerryBox system developer. PLOCAN deployed 4H-Jena FerryBox for automated continuous-flow seawater analysis at offshore platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC): EMEC operates open-sea test berths for wave and tidal energy converters in Orkney, UK. It is highly comparable to PLOCAN's Banco de Ensayos and offshore platform: a publicly funded real-sea testing facility serving marine renewable-energy developers, with formal access protocols and published pricing.
• Ocean Networks Canada (ONC): ONC operates cabled ocean observatories (NEPTUNE, VENUS) and autonomous vehicle fleets on Canada's west and east coasts. Its combination of cabled observatories + autonomous underwater vehicles + formal data services closely mirrors PLOCAN's Observatorio Oceánico + VIMAS + Servicio de Datos architecture.
• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Schmidt Ocean Institute operates research vessel Falkor (too) and a growing fleet of ocean-going autonomous platforms (e.g., Saildrone missions) for global ocean observation. It overlaps PLOCAN's autonomous-vehicle and continuous-observation offering, though as a privately funded operator rather than public consortium.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): MBARI operates a large fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (LRAUVs, AUVs, ROVs) for sustained ocean observation and technology development off Monterey. Its long-running autonomy program and observatory-style operations mirror PLOCAN's VIMAS fleet and continuous-monitoring model.
• SmartBay Ireland: SmartBay operates Ireland's national marine test facility with a cabled observatory, subsea sensors, and an underwater test area in Galway Bay. It is the closest geographic and functional analogue to PLOCAN — a publicly funded, ICTS-style marine test bed hosting ocean observation and marine-tech validation.
• Wave Hub: Wave Hub operates an open-sea wave-energy test site off Cornwall, UK. It is a narrower but highly comparable peer to PLOCAN's Banco de Ensayos — a publicly developed marine energy test infrastructure offering real-sea conditions to device developers.

Broad incumbents

• Ifremer: Ifremer is France's national marine research institute, operating deep-sea observatories, research vessels, AUVs/ROVs, and major EU ocean-observation infrastructure. It overlaps PLOCAN across cabled observatories, autonomous vehicles, and access services, but at substantially larger scale and broader mandate.
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC): NOC is the UK's centre for oceanographic research, operating autonomous underwater vehicles (Autosub), the Oceanids test infrastructure, and major marine-autonomy programs. Comparable to PLOCAN in offering integrated marine-autonomy and observatory services, but at substantially larger scale.

Others

• Kongsberg Maritime Discovery (subsea/ROV division): Kongsberg Maritime supplies AUVs (HUGIN), ROVs, and underwater acoustic positioning systems used in offshore and oceanographic operations. It is an enabling technology provider rather than a direct peer — comparable only insofar as it sits adjacent to PLOCAN's autonomous-vehicle operations.

Regional players

• PLOCAN partner: Plataforma de Energías Marinas (PLOCAN-adjacent Macaronesia ecosystem): Regional Macaronesia networks like the Red BEAM / PCT-MAC program that PLOCAN coordinates extend ocean-technology testing across Madeira, Azores, and Canarias. They are partially comparable as regional test networks sharing access frameworks, but operate at a smaller and more distributed scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/plocan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/plocanplataforma
• Facebookfacebook.com/plocan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plocan

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias