Subsea Tech
Subsea Tech is a Marseille-based engineering firm that designs and manufactures ROVs, AUVs, and USV catamarans used for underwater inspection, bathymetric survey, and intervention by navies, energy operators, and infrastructure owners across more than 50 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersMarseille, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Subsea Tech does
Subsea Tech is a Marseille-based engineering company founded in 2005 that designs and manufactures underwater and surface robotic systems — including inspection ROVs (Tortuga, Mini TORTUGA, Micro-ROV Observer and Guardian), the Torpedo pipeline-inspection AUV, and a USV family (SeaCAT, CAT-Surveyor, AirCAT, Catarob) — used for marine inspection, bathymetric survey, and intervention. Its technology stack combines proprietary propulsion systems (azimuthal thrust control on TORTUGA, hybrid electric/diesel propulsion on SeaCAT delivering up to eight-day endurance), in-house imaging software (SUBSEE+ for turbid environments), cavitation-based cleaning tools, and an open-architecture platform that integrates third-party sensors from Blueprint Subsea, Teledyne BlueView, Velodyne, Norbit, Cygnus, Imenco, and IVM Technologies. A distinguishing capability is multi-robot coordination, notably through the SeaCAT platform that simultaneously commands a USV, ROV, and UAV from a single interface for full 360-degree infrastructure inspection.
The company serves seven vertical markets — defense and maritime security, offshore and marine energy, civil infrastructure, ships and harbours, nuclear, aquaculture, and marine sciences/research — with defense, offshore energy, and infrastructure as the primary segments. Notable customers include the French, Portuguese, and Indonesian navies, the Spanish Army, the Albanian Naval Forces, Saudi Aramco, EDF, ENGIE, Total, Saipem, Naval Group, Canal de Panama, Ponant, and CNRS. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise sales via the company website plus a network of 24 distributors and agents covering more than 50 countries; third-party product distribution was transferred to a same-group sister company, Altis Blue, in January 2026. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (custom-configured ROVs and USVs, the AirCAT BathyPack priced under EUR 100,000), equipment rental with operator support, on-site inspection and survey services, and training. The company has been ISO 9001 certified since 2013, employs approximately 20 people including nine engineers, and remains privately held by founder and President Yves Chardard, with no disclosed institutional equity investment.
Subsea Tech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Subsea Tech
- Legal name
- SUBSEA TECH
- Website
- https://subsea-tech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Subsea Tech is a Marseille-based engineering firm that designs and manufactures ROVs, AUVs, and USV catamarans used for underwater inspection, bathymetric survey, and intervention by navies, energy operators, and infrastructure owners across more than 50 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Subsea Tech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Underwater Robotics
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF)
Keywords
Where Subsea Tech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marseille
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Subsea Tech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- ROV and USV Hardware Sales: Sale of underwater inspection drones including Tortuga, Mini TORTUGA, SeaCAT, AirCAT, CAT-Surveyor, and accessories with various configurations and depth ratings
- Underwater Inspection Services: On-site inspection, survey, and intervention services including bathymetry, photogrammetry, tank cleaning, and environmental studies
- Equipment Rental: Short and long-term rental of ROV and USV systems with operator support options
- Third-Party Product Distribution: Distribution of complementary products including Blueprint Subsea sonars, Cygnus thickness gauges, Imenco cameras (handled by Altis Blue from January 2026)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | AirCAT BathyPack complete bathymetric solution |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom ROV/USV configurations |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Subsea Tech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Subsea Tech designs, manufactures, and operates compact underwater and surface robotic systems including ROVs (Tortuga, Mini TORTUGA, Micro-ROV Observer/Guardian, AspiROV), AUVs (Torpedo), and USV catamarans (SeaCAT, CAT-Surveyor, AirCAT, Catarob) for marine inspection, survey, and intervention applications. The company also provides on-site inspection services, equipment rental, training, and distribution of complementary third-party sensors and instruments to defense, offshore energy, civil infrastructure, nuclear, and marine research customers across more than 50 countries.
Product overview
Subsea Tech offers a comprehensive portfolio of underwater and surface robotic systems for marine inspection and intervention. The core product lines include: ROVs (TORTUGA professional inspection ROV, Mini TORTUGA and Mini TORTUGA XP4 compact ROVs, Micro-ROV Observer and Guardian micro ROVs, AspiROV sediment suction system, and Torpedo pipeline inspection AUV); USV Catamarans (SeaCAT autonomous offshore inspection platform, CAT-Surveyor coastal survey USV, AirCAT inflatable portable USV, and Catarob compact survey drone); and underwater video systems. These are complemented by extensive accessory ecosystems for both ROVs and USVs including sonars, NDT tools, positioning systems, and cleaning tools. Subsea Tech also participates in EU-funded R&D projects including SeaClear 2.0 for autonomous marine litter collection and SleekShip for ship hull biofouling management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SeaCAT: Autonomous surface vehicle (USV) catamaran for offshore inspection and survey missions, 6.8m length with hybrid electric/diesel propulsion and up to 8 days endurance.
- CAT-Surveyor
- AirCAT
- Catarob
- Tortuga
- Mini TORTUGA
- Mini TORTUGA XP4
- Micro-ROV Observer
- Micro-ROV Guardian
- Torpedo
- AspiROV
- SUBSEE+
Products and services
- Tortuga ROV Professional inspection-class ROV with 500m depth rating, 37.5kg weight, and 73 kgf azimuthal thrust for operations in strong currents up to 4 knots; fiber optic variant enables missions up to 6,000m. Used by French Navy, Saudi Aramco, and Spanish Army for naval operations, offshore inspection, and search & rescue.
- Mini TORTUGA ROV Compact inspection ROV weighing 19kg with 300m depth rating, designed for versatile underwater inspection missions in various environments including confined spaces and shallow waters.
- Mini TORTUGA XP4 ROV Enhanced compact ROV with 4 vertical thrusters providing pitch and roll control, 29kg weight, designed for precision underwater inspection. Selected by Albanian Naval Forces for EOD and MCM missions.
- Micro-ROV Observer Micro inspection ROV weighing 6.4kg with 150m depth rating, designed for confined space and detailed underwater observation tasks.
- Micro-ROV Guardian Micro inspection ROV weighing 4.5kg, designed for lightweight underwater inspection operations in shallow and confined environments.
- AUV Torpedo Autonomous underwater pipeline inspection AUV for internal pipe and tunnel inspections up to 5,000m distance. Compact design insertable from DN 500mm pipes, equipped with HD camera and optional multibeam sonar.
- AspiROV Sediment suction ROV system for automated tank and reservoir cleaning without draining facilities. Removes sediment deposits while the ROV remains underwater, reducing inspection and cleaning time.
- SeaCAT USV Autonomous offshore inspection catamaran USV (6.8m length, 2 tons). Multi-drone system capable of controlling USV, ROV, and UAV from a single interface for complete 360-degree infrastructure inspection. Hybrid electric/diesel propulsion with 8-day endurance, up to 500kg payload, and sea state 6 navigation capability. Won the 2026 Euromaritime Maritime Innovation Award for offshore wind farm inspection.
- CAT-Surveyor USV Catamaran USV for coastal and port zone operations (3m length, 270kg weight). Teleoperated and/or autonomous, designed for hydrographic data acquisition and underwater surveillance in shallow coastal, port, or inland waters.
- AirCAT USV Inflatable ultra-light catamaran USV available in 2.70m (75kg) or 4m (86kg) versions. Portable design fits in bags and cases for air travel and deployable without heavy logistics, with up to 12 hours endurance and 100-150kg payload capacity.
- Catarob USV Compact USV drone (1.80m length) designed for bathymetric surveys in confined areas such as water parks and small water bodies, featuring high-resolution Norbit WBMS sonar.
- AirCAT BathyPack Complete bathymetric solution combining AirCAT inflatable USV with multibeam echosounder for shallow water surveys, deployable by a single operator from shore. Priced under 100,000 EUR as a complete unit offering.
- Cavitation Cleaning Tool for Wind Farm Cables Cavitation-based cleaning tool deployed by ROV for removing biological deposits from offshore wind dynamic cables, designed for the offshore renewable energy sector.
- Underwater Video Systems Underwater video systems and towed underwater video systems for underwater monitoring and inspection documentation.
- ROV Accessories Complete range of ROV accessories including sonars (multibeam 2D/3D, profiling), NDT tools (thickness probes, cathodic protection sensors), positioning systems (USBL), cleaning tools (cavitation, rotary brush), manipulators (2-7 function), and sampling equipment.
- USV Accessories Complete range of USV accessories including echosounders (single/multibeam), side scan sonars, imaging sonars, LiDAR, ADCP, GPS RTK systems, and deployable ROV systems for combined surface-underwater inspection.
- SeaClear 2.0 System EU-funded robotic system for autonomous marine litter detection and collection. Combines SeaCAT USV, Mini TORTUGA ROV, TORTUGA ROV with smart gripper, aerial drones, and SeaDragon for coordinated multi-robot operations up to 100m depth, capable of manipulating objects up to 250kg. Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Robotics Sustainability Leadership at the European Robotics Forum 2026.
- SleekShip System EU Horizon 2020 project combining Mini TORTUGA ROV with hyperspectral imaging camera and cavitation cleaning tool for automated biofouling inspection and cleaning of ship hulls.
- Underwater Inspection and Intervention Services On-site inspection, survey, and intervention services using ROVs and USVs, including bathymetry, photogrammetry, tank cleaning, and environmental studies, provided to enterprise and government customers.
- ROV and USV Equipment Rental Short- and long-term rental of ROV and USV systems with operator support options, enabling customers to access robotic inspection capabilities without capital purchase.
- Training and Support Services Training programs and technical support services for ROV and USV operators, covering product operation, maintenance, and mission execution.
- Aerial Drone Services New aerial drone services for topography and photogrammetry, complementing the company's underwater inspection offerings for comprehensive infrastructure assessment.
- Subsee+ Underwater Image Processing Software Windows-based underwater image processing software for turbid environments. Compatible with all digital cameras on ROVs or diver cameras, supports real-time and post-processing enhancement of underwater imagery.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% cost reduction for offshore inspection operations
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Subsea Tech
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Subsea Tech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Subsea Tech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Delft University of TechnologycoreLead academic partner in SeaClear project for autonomous marine litter collection; responsible for system architecture and coordination of multi-robot operations
- Fraunhofer CMLcoreResearch partner in SeaClear project contributing to maritime robotics and autonomous systems expertise
- Hamburg Port Authority AöRcoreSeaClear project partner providing operational testing environment and real-world port infrastructure use case
- Naval GroupflagshipROBIS ballast inspection system developed under CITEPH program with TOTAL and ENGIE as end users
- IVM TechnologiescoreHYDRO300 3D photogrammetry sensor integration on TORTUGA and Mini TORTUGA platforms for submillimetric underwater structure modeling
- MerTerre AssociationminorEnvironmental partnership for beach cleanup, waste counting, and classification activities aligned with SeaClear 2.0 environmental mission
- Casco AntiguoflagshipSpanish distribution partner instrumental in winning Spanish Army ROV contract; strategic partner for defense sector sales in Iberian Peninsula
- Altis BluecoreSame-group company handling third-party product distribution (Blueprint Subsea, Cygnus, Imenco, Seabed) from January 2026
- QCELLcoreSleekShip project partner for hull inspection and biofouling cleaning solution development
- TWI HELAScoreSleekShip project partner contributing welding and materials expertise for inspection technology development
- Technical University of Cluj-NapocaminorSeaClear project academic partner from Romania contributing robotics expertise
- Technical University of MunichminorSeaClear project partner contributing AI and machine learning expertise for waste detection algorithms
- University of DubrovnikminorSeaClear project partner contributing Mediterranean marine environment expertise
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Subsea Tech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VideoRay: US-based specialist in compact, mission-grade ROVs used for defense, security, and infrastructure inspection. Closely comparable to Subsea Tech in target customers (navies, ports, infrastructure operators) and in delivering small- to mid-sized inspection vehicles with modular payloads.
- Saab Seaeye: Subsidiary of Saab specializing in electric underwater robotic systems (Falcon, Sea Wasp, Sabertooth) for defense, oil & gas, and hydrographic inspection. Direct competitor to Subsea Tech in the compact/mid-class electric ROV segment used by navies and offshore operators.
- Deep Trekker: Canadian manufacturer of portable, battery-powered ROVs (DTG3, Revolution, PIVOT) widely used by public safety, defense, and infrastructure inspection buyers. Comparable to Subsea Tech's Mini TORTUGA / Micro-ROV Observer line in portability and inspection-class use cases.
- ECA Group (Exail): French-headquartered specialist in unmanned maritime systems including ROVs, AUVs, USVs and mine-countermeasure solutions for naval and security customers. Direct European peer to Subsea Tech in underwater robotics, particularly for defense and mine countermeasures.
Emerging players
- Blue Robotics: Lower-cost ROV and USV maker focused on accessible, modular underwater vehicles. Adjacent competitor to Subsea Tech in port and light-infrastructure inspection, competing primarily on price in the commercial — not defense — segment.
- Bedrock Ocean: US-based developer of autonomous underwater vehicles and cloud-based survey workflows for offshore infrastructure. Comparable to Subsea Tech's USV/AUV offerings in bringing autonomous subsea data acquisition to offshore asset owners.
- Nido Robotics: Spanish startup producing compact, low-cost underwater drones for inspection, aquaculture, and defense. Comparable to Subsea Tech's smaller ROV and portable USV products, though focused on the lower-priced commercial segment.
Broad incumbents
- Kongsberg Maritime: Major subsea robotics and instrumentation provider (HUGIN AUV, AUVs, sonars, navigation) supplying offshore energy and defense. Overlaps with Subsea Tech in underwater inspection and survey, though at much broader portfolio and scale.
- Teledyne Marine: Broad incumbent offering a comprehensive subsea instrument and vehicle portfolio (ROVs, sonars, imaging, positioning). Comparable to Subsea Tech as an end-to-end supplier of underwater inspection technology, though Teledyne operates at substantially greater scale and across all marine segments.
Others
- SonarMite / CEE Hydro Systems: Adjacent supplier of hydrographic and bathymetric survey systems, including USV-mounted sonars. Relevant peer given Subsea Tech's AirCAT BathyPack and Catarob bathymetric USV product lines and its integration of Norbit and other third-party echosounders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Subsea Tech social profiles
Digital presenceSubsea Tech compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Subsea Tech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Subsea Tech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Subsea Tech subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Subsea Tech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Subsea Tech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Subsea Tech
What does Subsea Tech do?
Subsea Tech designs, manufactures, and operates compact underwater and surface robotic systems including ROVs (Tortuga, Mini TORTUGA, Micro-ROV Observer/Guardian, AspiROV), AUVs (Torpedo), and USV catamarans (SeaCAT, CAT-Surveyor, AirCAT, Catarob) for marine inspection, survey, and intervention applications. The company also provides on-site inspection services, equipment rental, training, and distribution of complementary third-party sensors and instruments to defense, offshore energy, civil infrastructure, nuclear, and marine research customers across more than 50 countries.
Is Subsea Tech a public or private company?
Subsea Tech is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Subsea Tech founded?
Subsea Tech was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Subsea Tech based?
Subsea Tech is headquartered in Marseille, France, in the Europe region.
How does Subsea Tech make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. ROV and USV Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are underwater Inspection Services, equipment Rental and third-Party Product Distribution.
Who are Subsea Tech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VideoRay, Saab Seaeye, Deep Trekker and ECA Group (Exail). Emerging players are Blue Robotics, Bedrock Ocean and Nido Robotics. Broad incumbents are Kongsberg Maritime and Teledyne Marine. SonarMite / CEE Hydro Systems is listed as an others.
Does Subsea Tech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Subsea Tech.
What industry is Subsea Tech in?
Subsea Tech's product category is Underwater Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAOAC, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing, with a secondary code of HDAAAIAH, Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.