EMS SISTEMAS DE MONITORIZACION MEDIO AMBIENTAL SL

What EMS SISTEMAS DE MONITORIZACION MEDIO AMBIENTAL SL does

EMS Sistemas de Monitorización Medio Ambiental SLU is a Barcelona-based marine science and engineering company founded in 1995 by engineer-oceanographers Miguel Moll and Agustí Julià, originally from the physical oceanography group at ICM (Institut de Ciències del Mar) Barcelona. The company specialises in oceanographic instrumentation and the design, integration, and deployment of marine monitoring systems for research institutions, universities, government agencies, offshore energy operators, defence organisations, and marine survey companies. Its operations span the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Arctic Ocean, with primary markets in France and Spain; a French administrative subsidiary, EMS SARL, has been operational since 2006.

The company's offering is built on three product pillars (Sensors covering 25+ oceanographic parameters, Systems spanning 22 underwater/surface/telemetry/hydrographic/software categories, and Vehicles covering 8 platform types including ROV, AUV, glider, profiler, buoy, and UAV) complemented by six service lines (Data Providing Services, Integrated Systems, Underwater Imaging, Shipborne Systems, UW Observatories, and Buoy Systems) plus engineering integration, calibration, training, field operations, and the Phoenix equipment rental programme. Core technology is integration-centric: EMS combines third-party instruments from exclusive primary partners (Biospherical, Seabird Scientific, PME, Paroscientific, MacArtney, Sequoia Scientific) and secondary non-exclusive partners into bespoke solutions for demanding marine environments including polar expeditions.

EMS operates an enterprise GTM combining direct field sales to research and government clients with a network of exclusive regional distribution partners. Revenue derives from one-time hardware sales, usage-based rental (Phoenix), and professional services (engineering, integration, field operations, calibration). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held, founder-led, and operates with a very lean 5-person headcount, suggesting a high-value-per-employee specialist distribution and integration model rather than a scaled manufacturing business.

Name

EMS SISTEMAS DE MONITORIZACION MEDIO AMBIENTAL SL

Legal name

EMS Sistemas de Monitorización Medio Ambiental SLU

Website

https://ems-sistemas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EMS Sistemas de Monitorización Medio Ambiental SLU is a Barcelona-based oceanographic instrumentation specialist founded in 1995, integrating sensors, systems, and vehicles for research institutions, government agencies, offshore energy, defence, and marine survey clients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oceanographic Instrumentation & Marine Monitoring Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAJAJAI

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Marine Electrical, Automation & Navigation Systems

SECONDARYIMAJAFAJ

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Ship Repair, Maintenance & Conversion (MRO)

SECONDARYIMABAIAF

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) & Autonomous Platforms

SECONDARYIMAJAOAC

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Submarine Manufacturing

Keywords

• Oceanographic instrumentation
• Marine monitoring systems
• Underwater observatories
• Marine sensor integration
• Ocean data services

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Sensors & Systems): Sale of individual oceanographic sensors and instruments as well as fully integrated monitoring systems tailored to client mission and deployment requirements. Products include multiparameter probes, acoustic modems, data buoys, CTD systems, and marine vehicle platforms.
2. Phoenix Equipment Rental: Short and long-term rental of selected oceanographic equipment through the Phoenix programme, catering to project-based work or clients trialling a system before committing to a purchase.
3. Professional Services (System Integration & Engineering): Bespoke engineering and system integration services including custom system design, build, and testing; after-sales technical service and calibration; spare parts supply; remote troubleshooting; on-site assistance; and training programmes delivered on-site, at EMS facilities, or remotely.
4. Operations & Field Services: Field deployment, operational support, and logistics management for complex international projects, including technical support during scientific expeditions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EMS supplies oceanographic instruments (multiparameter sensors, CTD systems, acoustic/optical/chemical/biological probes) and integrates them into complete monitoring systems including data buoys, underwater observatories, shipborne systems, and marine vehicles (ROV, AUV, gliders, profilers, drones). The company offers bespoke engineering and system integration services, technical calibration, training, field operations support, equipment rental via the Phoenix programme, and Data Providing Services (DaaS) for ongoing oceanographic data delivery to research institutions, universities, government agencies, and marine industry clients.

Product overview

EMS SLU is a Spanish marine science and engineering company specializing in ocean monitoring, underwater infrastructure, and scientific research. The company operates as a systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of oceanographic products and services. The core product portfolio consists of Sensors (25+ oceanographic sensor types across physical, acoustic, optical, biological, and chemical parameters), Systems (22 system items across underwater, surface, telemetry, hydrographic, and software categories), and Vehicles (8 marine platform types including ROVs, AUVs, buoys, and aerial drones). These are complemented by six service offerings: Data Providing Services (DaaS), Integrated Systems, Underwater Imaging, Shipborne Systems, UW Observatories, and Buoy Systems. Engineering services include system integration, customer support, training, calibration, field operations, and the Phoenix equipment rental programme. The company serves research institutions, universities, government agencies, and marine industry professionals, operating across the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Arctic regions with offices in Barcelona and Paris.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oceanographic Sensors High-performance oceanographic sensors covering physical (multiparameter, temperature, conductivity/salinity, pressure), acoustic (backscatter, currents, waves, bathymetry/sonar, sub-bottom profile, underwater sound), optical (fluorescence, turbidity, light, particles, imaging), biological (plankton, bacteria, eDNA), chemical (oxygen, pH/ORP/Redox, dissolved gases, nutrients, oil in water), and geological (wind) parameters for deep sea, shallow coastal, fresh water, harbours, industry, and security/defence applications.
• Integrated Oceanographic Systems End-to-end ocean monitoring systems infrastructure including underwater components (subsurface flotation, bottom mounts, cages/structures, cables/connectors, beacons, deep-sea imaging, laser scaling, batteries, housings, diver-held equipment), surface components (data buoys, oceanographic winches, LARS, meteorological systems), telemetry (inductive/acoustic modems, acoustic positioning, cabled, satellite/GSM/GPRS/radio), hydrographic (SBES, MBES, SBP), software (Data), and integrated shipborne, observatory, and vehicle systems.
• Marine Vehicles Marine vehicle platforms for research, monitoring, and exploration including ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), SUV (Surface Unmanned Vehicle), TOW (Towed Vehicle), GLIDER (Underwater Glider), PROFILER (Vertical Profiler), BUOY (Moored/Drifting Buoy), and AERIAL DRONE (UAV/Aerial Platform).
• Data Providing Services (DaaS) Ongoing data-as-a-service solution providing end-to-end oceanographic data collection, processing, and delivery to support climate monitoring and scientific research.
• Engineering and System Integration Services Custom engineering and system integration services that design, build, and test bespoke solutions combining sensors, vehicles, telemetry, and deployment infrastructure for complex or unique marine deployments.
• Phoenix Equipment Rental Short and long-term rental of selected oceanographic equipment through the Phoenix rental programme, ideal for project-based work or for clients trialling a system before committing to purchase.
• Training Programmes Training programmes for operators, technicians, and scientists covering instrument deployment, data acquisition, software use, and system maintenance, delivered on-site, at company facilities, or remotely.
• Calibration and Customer Support Comprehensive after-sales support including technical service, instrument calibration, spare parts supply, remote troubleshooting, and on-site assistance for oceanographic sensors and systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 successful CTD stations completed during Arctic transarctic expedition, with casts reaching 1069 metres depth near the geographic North Pole, collecting multi-parameter oceanographic data including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, PAR, turbidity, optical transmission, redox potential, and pH.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered primary and secondary.

• BiosphericalprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. Biospherical manufactures underwater radiometers and optical sensors for oceanographic research. EMS actively supports their products and they are the first choice when integrating solutions into EMS systems.
• Seabird Scientific (Sea-Bird Electronics)primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. Seabird Scientific is a leading manufacturer of CTD sensors and oceanographic instrumentation. EMS strongly supports their products and they are the preferred choice for system integration.
• PME (PME Instrument Company)primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. PME manufactures oceanographic instruments included as first-choice components in EMS integrated solutions.
• ParoscientificprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. Paroscientific manufactures precision pressure and depth sensors for oceanographic and underwater applications. Their technology is EMS's first choice when integrating solutions.
• MacArtneyprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. MacArtney specialises in underwater technology, connectors, and telemetry solutions for oceanographic and subsea applications. Strongly supported across EMS territories.
• Sequoia ScientificprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary exclusive partner represented technically and commercially in EMS territories. Sequoia Scientific manufactures optical instruments including laser diffraction particle size analysers for marine and aquatic environments. Their technology is EMS's first choice for optical measurement solutions.
• Turner DesignssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Turner Designs manufactures fluorometers and optical sensors for oceanographic, environmental, and biotechnology applications. Their products are included in the EMS catalogue as complementary solutions.
• WinconnsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Winconn specialises in specialty wire and cable solutions for subsea and marine applications. Their products complement EMS's underwater systems catalogue.
• Deepsea Power & Light (Deep Sea)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Deepsea Power & Light manufactures underwater lighting, cameras, and power systems for subsea applications. Their products are included as complementary solutions in the EMS catalogue.
• Fondation Tara OceansecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-exclusive collaboration with Fondation Tara Ocean, a marine science foundation operating the research vessel Tara. EMS has supported Tara expeditions and oceanographic missions, contributing instrumentation and technical expertise to their scientific programmes.
• Dartmouth Ocean TechnologiessecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Dartmouth Ocean Technologies provides oceanographic instrumentation and solutions included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• FeritechsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Feritech manufactures specialised oceanographic and geophysical instruments included as complementary solutions in the EMS catalogue.
• Deep Ocean GroupsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Deep Ocean Group provides subsea equipment and solutions included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• TechnicapsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Technicap provides specialised marine monitoring equipment included as a complementary solution in the EMS catalogue.
• EcoSubsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. EcoSub provides underwater survey and monitoring solutions included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• RuttersecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Rutter provides specialised marine technology solutions included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• Xeos TechnologysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Xeos Technology provides underwater acoustic and communication solutions included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• ColifastsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Colifast provides automated nutrient analysis instruments for marine environments included as complementary solutions in the EMS catalogue.
• PonantsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Ponant is a French cruise operator including polar-expedition vessels. EMS provides oceanographic support services for their scientific expedition programmes.
• SubC TechsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. SubC Tech provides underwater imaging and survey technology included as complementary products in the EMS catalogue.
• Deepsea (Deep Sea Power & Light)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary non-exclusive partner. Deepsea manufactures underwater power and lighting equipment for subsea applications, included as complementary solutions in the EMS catalogue.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Subsea Tech: French marine robotics company providing ROVs, AUVs, and underwater intervention solutions. Comparable to EMS in providing marine vehicle integration and underwater inspection services, primarily serving Southern European customers.

Direct peers

• Sea & Sun Technology GmbH: German developer of oceanographic measurement instruments and platforms. Closely comparable to EMS as a small European specialist providing CTDs, multiparameter probes, and integrated monitoring systems to research clients.
• RBR Global: Canadian designer and manufacturer of oceanographic sensors and loggers. Comparable niche player in the oceanographic instrumentation market serving research institutions with similar CTD and multi-parameter sensor offerings.
• SAIV A/S: Norwegian manufacturer of oceanographic instruments and water quality sensors. Comparable as a small European specialist serving research and environmental monitoring customers with similar sensor product categories.
• Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL): UK-based manufacturer and supplier of oceanographic and environmental monitoring instruments. Closely comparable to EMS as a mid-sized European specialist offering CTDs, sensors, and integrated monitoring solutions to research institutions and government agencies.
• Hydro-Bios Apparatebau GmbH: German manufacturer of oceanographic and limnological instruments. Comparable mid-sized European specialist offering water sampling and oceanographic measurement equipment to research institutes and government agencies.
• iXblue (ex-iXsea): French company (now part of Exail) manufacturing high-precision oceanographic and positioning sensors (PHINS, RAMSES). Comparable French-headquartered European specialist with similar defence and oceanographic customer mix to EMS.

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian major marine technology provider offering underwater sensors, subsea positioning, and autonomous underwater vehicles. Broad incumbent that overlaps with EMS's oceanographic and subsea customer base across research, offshore, and defence.
• Teledyne Marine: US-based large conglomerate group of marine technology brands. Overlaps with EMS via its Teledyne RD Instruments and other brands offering ADCPs, CTDs, and underwater vehicles — a broader incumbent competing for similar oceanographic customers.
• Nortek AS: Norwegian manufacturer of acoustic oceanographic instruments (ADCPs, DVLs). Comparable to EMS in serving the same oceanographic research and offshore customer base with overlapping instrumentation, though Nortek is a manufacturer rather than integrator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ems-sistemas-de-monitorizacion-medio-ambiental-sl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 EMS SISTEMAS DE MONITORIZACION MEDIO AMBIENTAL SL