Marine Inspection Services

What Marine Inspection Services does

Marine Inspection Services Ltd (MIS) is a Dorchester, UK-headquartered marine surveying firm providing hull condition, steel renewal, coating, and non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections for commercial vessels and offshore assets worldwide. Its service portfolio spans traditional methods (Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Eddy Current Inspection, Liquid Penetrant Testing, rope access under IRATA rules) and remote inspection techniques (RIT) including tethered drones for visual inspection and Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM), plus a Mini ROV-based ballast tank inspection service using Hydromea's EXRAY platform. The firm is approved by all six major classification societies — DNV, Lloyd's Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK, and RINA — for UTM, RIT, and NDT work, and was the first company worldwide to receive Lloyd's Register approval for drone-based UTM. It also holds ISO 9001:2015 certification through DNV-GL.

MIS sells professional inspection services directly to enterprise clients — ship owners, ship managers, offshore asset operators (FPSOs/FSOs), and oil majors — on a quote-based, project-by-project basis with worldwide mobilisation at short notice. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and engagement is per survey rather than subscription. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales with no intermediaries. Its primary differentiators are the multi-society regulatory approvals, first-mover drone UTM position, integrated drone-plus-ROV-plus-rope-access toolkit, and a long-tenured PCN-qualified and IRATA-certified inspection team with an exemplary zero-incident rope access safety record. The company is privately held, has no disclosed funding rounds, and reports 11-50 employees.

Beyond core inspection delivery, MIS participates in innovation partnerships such as the Redhaus project with ScoutDI and Altera Infrastructure (Maran Shuttle Tankers), aimed at developing autonomous-drone and AI-driven automated ship inspections. Recent product and regulatory milestones include UTM-with-drone approvals from ABS, DNV, and Lloyd's Register (October 2025), a ScoutDI Scout 137 Gen 3 drone demonstration (November 2025), and a Mini ROV inspection service launch (announced 2026). The firm also lists UK CAA drone operator approvals among its compliance credentials.

Name

Marine Inspection Services

Legal name

Marine Inspection Services Ltd

Website

https://marineinspectionservices.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marine Inspection Services Ltd is a UK-based marine surveying firm providing hull, steel, coating, and non-destructive testing inspections, plus drone and mini ROV remote inspection techniques approved by all major classification societies, for ship owners, managers, and offshore asset operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Surveying Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Surveys, Testing & NDT (Thickness Gauging, UT/MPI, Pressure Testing, Commissioning) (TLAHAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ), Underwater Hull Inspection, Cleaning & Propeller Services (TLAKAKAJ), Marine Systems Commissioning, Testing & Certification Support (TLAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Marine surveying services
• Non-destructive testing
• Ultrasonic thickness measurement
• Drone vessel inspection
• Offshore asset inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Higher Bebington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marine Surveying and Inspection Services: MIS provides professional marine surveying services worldwide including hull condition surveys, steel inspection, NDT, rope access, drone inspection, and mini ROV inspection. Services are delivered by a highly experienced and qualified team, providing clear actionable reports detailing asset condition, recommended repairs, and compliance guidance. The revenue is generated through professional service engagements with ship owners, managers, and operators, with worldwide coverage at short notice.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Marine Inspection Services provides marine surveying and inspection services for vessels and offshore assets worldwide, including hull condition surveys, steel inspection, coating surveys, ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM), and a suite of non-destructive testing methods (ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, eddy current inspection, liquid penetrant testing). The company delivers advanced inspection methods using tethered drones for visual inspection and drone-based UTM, IRATA-certified rope access, and EXRAY mini ROVs for ballast tank surveys. Services are performed by PCN- and IRATA-qualified inspectors and are approved by all major classification societies (DNV, LR, ABS, BV, ClassNK, RINA), with ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Product overview

Marine Inspection Services offers a comprehensive suite of marine inspection services for vessels and offshore assets worldwide. The portfolio includes core inspection services such as Hull Condition Surveys, Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM), Steel Inspection, Coating Survey, and Visual Inspection. These are complemented by specialized Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services including Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Eddy Current Inspection, and Liquid Penetrant Testing. Advanced inspection methods include Drone Inspection (UAV), Mini ROV Inspection, and Rope Access services. The company provides both traditional inspection methods and innovative Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) using drones and ROVs, approved by major classification societies including DNV, LR, ABS, BV, and ClassNK. Services are available for vessels, offshore platforms, and specialized assets including FPSO and FSO units.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) Certified ultrasonic thickness measurement surveys on vessels trusted by multiple Class Societies for accuracy and expertise. Also available with drone by ABS, DNV and LR.
• Hull Condition Surveys Tailored hull condition surveys meeting all requirements and specifications to ensure vessel condition and avoid unexpected repairs.
• Steel Inspection Experienced steel inspectors specializing in ship repair, ensuring repairs are completed to the highest standard and in compliance with international requirements.
• Coating Survey Detailed coating surveys identifying breakdowns and defects with photographic guides and repair supervision expertise.
• Offshore Inspection Services Visual inspection, condition monitoring, and NDT services for offshore assets approved by DNV, LR, and ABS.
• Pitting Inspection Expert inspection services to discover and prevent pitting issues, avoiding costly repairs and vessel downtime.
• Ultrasonic Testing NDT method for flaw detection in structures providing instant results with superior depth of penetration.
• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) NDT process for detecting surface and slightly sub-surface defects with quick, definitive results. Inspectors trained to PCN standards.
• Eddy Current Inspection Non-destructive testing suitable for irregular surfaces and hard-to-reach locations, requiring no coating removal.
• Liquid Penetrant Testing Reliable, cost-effective NDT process to detect surface defects in various materials. Inspectors with PCN qualifications.
• Rope Access Safe and adaptable method for work at height or in difficult-access areas, trained under IRATA rules with zero-incident record.
• Drone Inspection High-quality, accurate drone inspections with years of experience in structural surveys, approved by major certifications including UK CAA, ABS, DNV and LR.
• Visual Inspection Close Visual Inspection to assess vessel structure, coating, and appliances to inform Owners/Managers decisions on future repairs.
• Mini ROV Inspection Mini ROV inspection for ballast tank surveys and Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement using EXRAY by Hydromea, providing safer, faster and fully class-accepted alternative to traditional manned tank entry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant savings on cost and time on traditional staging of tanks through drone inspection as an alternative means for close-up survey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ScoutDIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIS worked with ScoutDI on the 'Redhaus project', a Norwegian research project focusing on developing automated ship inspections using autonomous drones and AI. This partnership has been successfully completed and represents a core strategic collaboration in advancing drone-based inspection technology for the maritime industry.
• Altera Infrastructure (Maran Shuttle Tankers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIS and Altera Infrastructure (Maran Shuttle Tankers) partnered on the Redhaus project for automated ship inspections using autonomous drones and AI. Maran Shuttle Tankers is also a long-standing customer of MIS for voyage surveys, structural repair supervision, and NDT during refits and class surveys.
• HydromeacoreTechnology or IntegrationMIS deploys Hydromea's EXRAY mini ROV for class-approved ballast tank inspections and UTM surveys. The EXRAY ROV navigates ballast tank internal structures, capturing Full HD video and 4K still imagery. MIS is approved by BV and DNV for RIT using Mini ROV including UTM capability using this platform.
• Lloyd's Register (LR)coreOthersMIS was the first company worldwide to receive Lloyd's Register approval for thickness testing (UTM) with drone. LR is one of the classification societies that certifies MIS for UTM services, alongside ABS, DNV, BV, ClassNK, and RINA.
• ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)coreOthersABS certifies MIS for UTM (including drone-based UTM), Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) using drone and rope access, and NDT. ABS has certified MIS for NDT classification projects and recognizes MIS as a trusted inspection partner.
• DNVcoreOthersDNV provides multiple approvals to MIS: UTM certification, Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) using drone, rope access, and mini ROV, and NDT certification for classification projects in accordance with DNV-CP-0640. DNV is a core regulatory partner enabling MIS's global inspection capabilities.
• BV (Bureau Veritas)coreOthersBV certifies MIS for UTM on vessels and assets and approves MIS for Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) using Mini ROV, enabling class-accepted alternative inspection methods for ballast tank surveys and UTM without manned entry.
• ClassNKcoreOthersClassNK certifies MIS for Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) surveys on vessels and assets, supporting MIS's approvals from all major classification societies.
• RINAcoreOthersRINA certifies MIS for Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) surveys on vessels and assets, completing MIS's full suite of major classification society approvals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Idwal Marine: UK-based marine inspection firm offering vessel condition surveys, hull and steel inspections for ship owners and managers. Closest direct competitor to MIS in terms of service mix and target customer base, though with less emphasis on drone/ROV innovation.
• Marinspect: Independent marine inspection and surveying firm focused on hull, steel and coating condition surveys for ship owners and managers. A direct peer to MIS in the specialist marine surveying niche, particularly across European-flag and offshore clients.

Broad incumbents

• DNV: Global classification society and certification body that grants MIS multiple approvals (UTM, RIT, NDT). DNV runs its own surveyor and integrity services business, making it both a regulator of MIS and a competitor for class-related inspection work.
• ABS (American Bureau of Shipping): Classification society certifying MIS for UTM, RIT and NDT. ABS has its own worldwide surveyor network performing hull, offshore and class surveys, overlapping with MIS's service offering from a much larger institutional base.
• Bureau Veritas Marine: One of the major classification societies that also approves MIS (for UTM and RIT). Bureau Veritas operates its own global surveyor workforce and competes with independent specialists like MIS on hull, steel and offshore inspection work as part of a much wider portfolio.
• Lloyd's Register: Classification society that issued MIS the first worldwide approval for drone-based UTM. LR operates a global marine surveying organisation, making it both the granting authority for MIS's key differentiator and a potential competitor offering similar services in-house.
• RINA: Classification society that certifies MIS for UTM surveys and also offers its own marine surveying, offshore and certification services across a broader portfolio. Comparable to MIS at the class-accepted inspection layer.

Emerging players

• RightShip: Maritime risk management and vessel inspection/rating company. While it overlaps with MIS on vessel condition assessment, RightShip operates more as a digital ratings platform with its own inspector network rather than as a specialist on-board surveyor.

Others

• ScoutDI: Norwegian drone technology company collaborating with MIS on the Redhaus autonomous inspection project and supplying the Scout 137 Gen 3 UTM drone. An adjacent technology provider whose tethered-drone platform is core to MIS's drone-based UTM offering.
• Hydromea: Swiss underwater robotics company whose EXRAY mini ROV is deployed by MIS for class-approved ballast tank inspections. An enabling technology partner whose platform underpins MIS's mini ROV service line and which could itself evolve into a competing inspection service.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/marineinspectionservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-inspection-services

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Marine Inspection Services