Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center

What Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center does

The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center (CCOM/JHC) is a university research center located at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire. Established in 1999 through a NOAA cooperative agreement, it operates as a national center of expertise in ocean mapping and hydrographic sciences, conducting research, education, and technology development for seafloor mapping, nautical charting, autonomous survey systems, and continental shelf delineation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Its customers and collaborators include NOAA, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, the Alfred Wegener Institute, and national hydrographic offices in more than 20 countries.

The center's technical portfolio spans proprietary data processing algorithms (notably the CUBE/Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetry Estimator), geo-spatial visualization software (GeoZui4D), and open-source hydrographic tools (HydrOffice, GeoCoder, CHRT multiresolution grids), alongside a fleet of research and autonomous surface vessels (R/V Gulf Surveyor, ASV BEN, DriX, Saildrone Surveyor, Echoboat) and specialized research infrastructure including the largest acoustic calibration facility in the Northeast, a 60'x40'x20' engineering tank, a 120' wave tank, and a visualization research lab. It also produces peer-reviewed publications on bathymetric uncertainty, nautical chart generalization, and Arctic seafloor processes, contributing to the international Seabed 2030 initiative to fully map the ocean floor.

CCOM/JHC's business model is non-commercial. It is funded primarily through a NOAA grant under the Joint Hydrographic Center cooperative agreement, supplemented by research contracts with federal agencies (USGS, Navy), international research collaborations, and tuition/fellowship revenue from its graduate degree programs, International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Category A certification, and the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO training program that has produced over 100 alumni since 2004. As a unit of the public University of New Hampshire, it does not have equity ownership, external investors, or a commercial product sales motion.

Name

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center

Legal name

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center

Website

https://ccom.unh.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CCOM/JHC is a NOAA-funded university research center at the University of New Hampshire that conducts ocean mapping and hydrographic sciences research, develops proprietary bathymetric data processing and visualization software, and trains international hydrographers for national charting agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrographic and Ocean Mapping Research Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Nautical Safety, Navigation Aids & Hydrographic Services (TLAHAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Remote Sensing & Geospatial Vision (satellite/drone imagery) (HDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Ocean mapping research
• Hydrographic research services
• Seafloor mapping technology
• Bathymetric data processing
• Hydrographic education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. NOAA Grant Funding: Primary funding through NOAA cooperative agreement grant for joint hydrographic center operations, research, and education
2. Educational Tuition and Fees: Revenue from graduate degree programs, certificate programs (CAT A), and training programs for international hydrographic professionals
3. Research Contracts: Funded research projects with government agencies (USGS, Navy) and international organizations for ocean mapping and Arctic exploration

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center conducts ocean mapping, hydrographic, and seafloor characterization research; develops proprietary and open-source data-processing and visualization software; operates a fleet of research vessels equipped with multibeam echo sounders and autonomous surface vehicles; and delivers accredited graduate degree and certificate programs (including a FIG/IHO/ICA Category A Hydrographic Surveying program and the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Training Program) for hydrographic surveyors.

Product overview

The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center is a national research center at the University of New Hampshire focused on ocean mapping and hydrographic sciences. The organization operates as a research and education institution rather than a commercial product company. Its portfolio consists of ocean mapping and hydrographic research services, specialized research facilities including multiple labs (VisLab, Electronics Lab, Computer Lab, Machine Shop), test tanks (Engineering Tank, Wave Tank), and a fleet of research vessels. Educational offerings include graduate degree programs, Category A certification, and the NF-GEBCO Ocean Mapping Training Program. The center also develops data processing tools including CUBE, GeoCoder, CHRT, and HydrOffice for hydrographic applications. Law of the Sea research supports U.S. continental shelf delineation efforts globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Lab: The facility housing the Center's research labs, tanks, and workspaces

Products and services

• MS/PhD in Oceanography (Hydrography focus)

Quantifiable outcome

• Has trained hydrographers from over 20 nations through NF-GEBCO program since 2004
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and industrial.

• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partnership through NOAA Office of Coastal Survey establishing the Joint Hydrographic Center. NOAA provides major grant funding and operational guidance, while CCOM conducts research, training, and produces nautical charts for U.S. waters. Partnership supports NOAA's mandate for nautical charting and UNCLOS continental shelf delineation.
• University of New HampshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution providing facilities, administrative support, and academic infrastructure. CCOM is housed in the Chase Ocean Engineering Lab and operates as an official UNH research center.
• The Nippon FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the NF-GEBCO training program that has trained over 100 hydrographers from 20+ developing nations since 2004. Foundation provides scholarship funding for international students.
• GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Seabed 2030 initiative to map the world's ocean floor. CCOM serves as one of two global training centers for GEBCO scholars and contributes to global bathymetric compilation.
• Swedish Polar Research SecretariatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for Arctic research aboard I/B Oden icebreaker. Multiple expeditions including SWERUS-C3 and LOMROG programs for Lomonosov Ridge and Gakkel Ridge research.
• Exail (formerly iXblue)industrialTechnology or IntegrationCollaborative effort with Exail for DriX Autonomous Surface Vessel operations. Exail manufactures the DriX USV housed and supported by CCOM since December 2018.
• Kongsberg MaritimeindustrialTechnology or IntegrationIndustrial partnership providing multibeam echo sounders (EM2040, EM712) installed on CCOM research vessels. Kongsberg equipment on DriX, ASV BEN, Saildrone Surveyor, and R/V Gulf Surveyor.
• Ocean Exploration Trust (E/V Nautilus)industrialStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCOM operates telepresence console connected to E/V Nautilus live video feed. ASV BEN has been deployed during multi-vehicle expeditions with Nautilus for combined underwater mapping operations.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on Arctic Ocean acidification research and seafloor mapping expeditions aboard USCGC Healy for continental shelf delineation.
• Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership aboard German icebreaker Polarstern for Arctic research. Assisted in recovery of FRAM-2012 hovercraft from high Arctic ice conditions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Leading private ocean research institution operating research vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, and graduate programs with comparable federal-grant funding model and ocean mapping focus.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: UC San Diego's oceanographic research arm conducts comparable seafloor mapping, autonomous platform development, and graduate-level ocean science education with substantial federal funding.
• Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Columbia University): Columbia's earth science research arm operates marine geophysics research, including seafloor mapping and continental shelf research, with similar academic + federal funding mix and expedition-based operating model.
• National Oceanography Centre (UK): UK's center for ocean science operates comparable autonomous platforms (Autosub), research vessels, and graduate training with strong ties to national hydrographic programs (UKHO).
• University of Tokyo Ocean Alliance: Co-hosts the NF-GEBCO training program alongside CCOM/JHC, the only other globally designated GEBCO training center, making it the most direct comparable in hydrographic education and ocean mapping research.

Broad incumbents

• Fugro: Global commercial hydrographic and geophysical survey company operating multibeam survey vessels for offshore, cable route, and continental shelf surveys; comparable in service offering but commercial rather than academic.
• NOAA Office of Coast Survey: Primary funder and strategic partner of CCOM/JHC; the federal agency responsible for U.S. nautical charting and the operational counterpart whose priorities shape CCOM's research agenda.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Manufacturer of multibeam echo sounders (EM2040, EM712) installed on CCOM's vessels; while a vendor rather than direct competitor, the company sits adjacent in the hydrographic technology stack and shapes the ecosystem CCOM operates within.

Emerging players

• Ocean Infinity: Commercial operator of large uncrewed and autonomous survey fleets (Armada) for ocean mapping and offshore data acquisition; competes for the same global ocean mapping mandate at commercial scale.
• Saildrone: Unmanned surface vehicle company operating the Saildrone Surveyor for autonomous ocean mapping; CCOM contributed to sea acceptance testing for the Surveyor, making it an emerging player with strong technological and operational overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ccomjhc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center