Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd.

What Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd. does

Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd. (Haiyan Electronics / 海研电子) is a privately held, Qingdao-based marine observation equipment manufacturer founded in 2014 by Professor Wen Qi of Ocean University of China. The company designs, develops, and produces a full-stack ocean monitoring product portfolio — including intelligent drifting wave buoys (the "Wave Elf" series with millimeter-wave radar wave measurement accuracy claimed superior to international peers), seafloor observatories and tripod systems operational to 6,000 m depth, CTD instruments, ADCP current profilers, hydrophones, hyperspectral imaging systems, underwater cameras, and self-developed sensor chips. Hardware is paired with edge computing, AI-based marine organism identification, and a proprietary data management platform (MEINS), with multi-mode communication via Beidou, Iridium, 5G, and Tiantong satellite links.

Haiyan serves primarily Chinese central government ministries (Natural Resources, Transport, Water Resources, Meteorological Administration), state-owned enterprises in offshore energy and shipbuilding (CNOOC, CSSC), and research institutions including Ocean University of China. Products have been deployed on polar research vessels (Xue Long, Orient Hong 2) and across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and polar regions, with cumulative Wave Elf buoy deliveries of nearly 10,000 units. The company holds approximately 150 self-developed patents, ~40 of which are invention patents, and has been recognized as a National Specialized, Innovative "Little Giant" enterprise.

Revenue is generated through three streams: marine monitoring equipment sales (hardware), ocean survey services delivered via the wholly-owned subsidiary Qingdao Qiangxing Ocean Engineering (acquired 2019), and emerging data services and solutions built on the MEINS platform. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct engagement with government and SOE procurement, supplemented by industry exhibition presence (OI China, China Marine Economy Expo). The company received strategic investment from state-owned Shandong Financial Group in January 2025 and is preparing to relocate to a 19-acre Marine IoT Industry Innovation Center in mid-2026 to scale R&D, testing, and production capacity.

Name

Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal name

青岛海研电子有限公司

Website

https://haiyanec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ocean Research Technology (Haiyan Electronics) is a Qingdao-based marine observation equipment manufacturer founded in 2014, producing drifting buoys, seafloor observatories, sensors, and AI-enabled monitoring platforms for Chinese government ministries, state-owned enterprises, and research institutions across coastal China and polar regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Observation Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)

Keywords

• Marine observation equipment
• Ocean monitoring sensors
• Drifting buoys
• Seafloor observatories
• Underwater acoustic systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Qingdao

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marine monitoring equipment sales: Sale of ocean observation platforms (buoys, underwater vehicles, seafloor observatories), sensors (wave, temperature, pressure, nutrients, hydrophones), and ocean engineering equipment. Products include drifting buoys, wave sensors, CTD instruments, sediment samplers, and underwater cameras.
2. Ocean survey services: Professional ocean survey services including marine geology sampling, ocean current measurement, underwater acoustic communication, and equipment leasing. Provides comprehensive ocean investigation services with dedicated survey vessels.
3. Data services and solutions: Full-cycle solutions from deployment, monitoring to intelligent early warning. Data management platform (MEINS) provides ocean data collection, query, and download services. Moving from product sales to service provision model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Designs, manufactures, and integrates ocean observation equipment including drifting buoys, comprehensive and ecological buoy systems, seafloor observation stations, CTD/ADCP sensors, hydrophones, nutrient and wave sensors, hyperspectral and plankton imaging platforms, sonar and magnetometer systems, deep-water cameras, and underwater laser 3D scanners, and delivers marine survey services and equipment leasing.

Product overview

青岛海研电子有限公司（Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd.）是一家国家级专精特新'小巨人'企业，专注于海洋观测与监测技术领域，提供从传感器、观测平台到数据服务的完整海洋物联网解决方案。产品涵盖漂流浮标系列（波浪精灵、综合观测浮标、生态浮标等）、多种海洋传感器（CTD、ADCP、营养盐传感器、水听器、高光谱成像系统等）、海洋观测平台（海床基观测站、潜标系统）、甲板装备（绞车、采水器、地质取样设备）以及通讯组件和配件。核心产品波浪精灵漂流浮标采用自主研发的重力加速度、RNSS和毫米波雷达技术，波高观测精度达毫米级，优于国际同类产品。公司构建'天空地海一体'现代化监测网络，通过边缘计算+5G/卫星通信技术实现海洋数据的实时采集、处理与传输。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 波浪精灵 (Wave Spirit): A series of intelligent surface drifting wave buoys for ocean wave measurement. Includes standard, mini, and other variants measuring wave height, period, and direction with millimeter-level accuracy. Widely deployed globally in Pacific, Indian Ocean, and polar regions.
• 国产化海洋数据观测接收系统 (Homeland Ocean Data Observation Receiving System)

Products and services

• Wave Spirit Series Drifting Buoy (波浪精灵系列漂流浮标) A flagship drifting buoy product family used for real-time ocean observation; integrates self-developed millimeter-wave radar wave measurement, BeiDou satellite positioning, and 4G/5G/satellite communication. Sold to government monitoring agencies, offshore operators, and research institutions for unattended marine observation.
• Drifting Temperature-Depth Profile Observation Buoy (HY-PLFB-WS) Drifting buoy that performs real-time profiling of the upper-ocean temperature and depth structure using a temperature-depth sensor chain. Targeted at oceanographic monitoring campaigns for government and academic users.
• Drifting Nuclear Radiation Monitoring Buoy (HY-PLFB-FS) Drifting buoy equipped with nuclear radiation sensors to monitor radiological conditions at sea. Used by environmental and safety regulators for maritime environmental safety.
• Drifting Bathymetry Buoy (HY-PLFB-CS) Drifting buoy fitted with a depth sounder for along-track bathymetric measurements during free drift. Deployed in offshore surveys and reconnaissance applications.
• Comprehensive Observation Buoy Series (综合观测浮标系列) Fixed-mooring buoys that integrate multiple oceanographic sensors (CTD, ADCP, weather, etc.) for year-round unattended station monitoring. Deployed by agencies and SOEs for long-term monitoring networks.
• Ecological Buoy Series (生态浮标) Fixed-mooring ecological monitoring buoys fitted with biological and water-quality sensor payloads for coastal ecosystem and aquaculture monitoring.
• CTD Series (温盐深仪系列) Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) profiler instruments using self-developed marine sensor technology. Sold as embedded payload for buoy systems and as standalone sensors for survey users.
• Nutrient Sensor Series (营养盐传感器) In-situ nutrient sensor series used on buoys and voyage systems to measure seawater nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, silicate). Used by environmental monitoring departments and academic researchers.
• Wave Sensor 2.0 (波浪传感器2.0) Second-generation wave sensor based on Haiyan's proprietary millimeter-wave radar wave-measurement technology, sold as a payload for buoys and fixed platforms.
• Hydrophone Series (水听器系列) Underwater acoustic hydrophones used for subsea acoustic monitoring and research applications; supplied to research institutions and offshore operators.
• ADCP Series (ADCP系列) Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) instruments for measuring ocean current profiles and waves in fixed, drifting, or shipboard deployments.
• Plankton In-situ Intelligent Imaging Monitor (浮游生物原位智能成像监测仪) Plankton in-situ imaging platform combining underwater imaging with AI-powered biological identification to classify plankton species in real time. Used by marine ecosystem researchers and ecological monitoring agencies.
• Hyperspectral Imaging System Series (高光谱成像系统系列) Underwater hyperspectral imaging systems that capture spectral signatures of seafloor or water-column targets for environmental and ecological research applications.
• Seafloor Base Observation Station Series (海底基站观测站系列) Seafloor-base observation stations deployed on the seabed and connected to surface buoys via submarine buoy cables for long-term benthic and water-column monitoring; includes acoustic release mechanisms for recovery.
• Subsurface Buoy System (潜标系统) Sub-surface mooring buoy systems that carry sensors below the surface and surface in response to acoustic release signals for data recovery in long-duration deployments.
• Deck Winch Series (甲板绞车系列) Deck winches used on survey and offshore vessels to deploy and recover oceanographic cables, sensors, and buoy systems.
• Geological Sampling Equipment Series (地质取样设备系列) Geological sampling instruments (grab samplers, corers, dredges, etc.) for subsea sediment and geological sample recovery, sold for use by survey and offshore engineering teams.
• Water Sampler Series (采水器系列) Water sampling instruments that collect seawater samples at programmable depths during CTD or independent casts, used in survey campaigns.
• Acoustic Release Series (声学释放器系列) Acoustic release mechanisms that hold subsurface buoys and seafloor stations on station and release them on command for recovery, used in mooring and deep-water observation deployments.
• Depth Sounder Series (测深仪系列) Depth sounder instruments for single-beam bathymetric measurement during offshore surveys and reconnaissance campaigns.
• Sound Velocity Profiler Series (声速剖面仪系列) Sound velocity profiler instruments measuring sound speed through the water column for sonar calibration and acoustic survey support.
• Sonar Series (声呐系列) Sonar instruments (including side-scan and similar subsea acoustic imaging variants) used by survey and offshore operators for subsea imaging and target detection.
• Magnetometer Series (磁力仪系列) Marine magnetometers used to measure geomagnetic variations at sea for survey, geophysical, and offshore engineering applications.
• Seismic Detection System (地震探测系统) Marine seismic detection systems used by survey operators and offshore projects for shallow- or deep-stratum sub-bottom geophysical investigation.
• 6000m Underwater Camera (6000米水下摄像头) Deep-rated (6000m) underwater camera used for imaging in deep-sea observation, ROV/AUV integrations, and subsea inspection tasks.
• Underwater Laser 3D Scanner (水下激光三维扫描仪) Underwater laser 3D scanners that reconstruct three-dimensional geometry of subsea targets for inspection and structural analysis, used by ROV/AUV operators and survey teams.
• Communication Components Series (通信组件系列) In-house communication modules (BeiDou satellite, 4G/5G, radio) used inside Haiyan's platforms and available as standalone modules for marine electronics integrations.
• Battery Pack Series (电池组系列) Marine-grade battery packs used to power unmanned buoy and observatory platforms over multi-month deployments.
• Watertight Connectors Series (水密连接器系列) Watertight connectors rated for underwater/deep-rated applications, used by the company's own platforms and supplied to integrator customers.
• Submarine Buoy Cable Series (海缆系列) Submarine buoy cables used to physically and electrically connect seafloor observatories, subsurface buoys, and surface buoys in moored systems.
• Release Hook Series (脱钩器系列) Release hooks used on survey operations and mooring lines to deploy or recover instruments on command.
• Voyage Water Quality Monitoring System (走航式水质监测系统) Voyage (ship-mounted) water quality monitoring system that continuously records water quality parameters along a vessel's underway track; used in conjunction with Haiyan's survey services.
• Voyage Nutrient Online Monitoring System (走航式营养盐在线监测系统) Voyage online nutrient monitoring system fitted on survey vessels for continuous underway measurement of nutrient concentrations during transit.
• Unmanned Sailboat (无人帆船) Unmanned sailboat platform that carries sensor payloads for autonomous, long-duration ocean observation missions.
• Marine Survey Service (海洋勘测服务) Service offering that uses the company's own buoys, ADCP, sonar, magnetometer, and instruments to deliver bathymetric, geophysical, and environmental survey deliverables to agencies, SOEs, and research institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wave height measurement accuracy improved to millimeter level, superior to international similar products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Integration20 records

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 中国海洋大学 (Ocean University of China)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025Established 'Hyperspectral Imaging Technology Joint Laboratory' with Ocean University of China on September 12, 2025. The lab focuses on hyperspectral imaging hardware development, data processing algorithms, and applications in marine ecological monitoring, agricultural sensing, maritime safety, and mineral exploration.
• 北京海逸信达科技有限公司 (Beijing Haiyi Xinda Technology Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Acquired in October 2023 as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Specializes in AI, data visualization, and big data application software. This acquisition strengthens the company's capabilities in digital ocean visualization, virtual simulation, cloud data services, and vessel trajectory big data, enabling integration of intelligent software into marine monitoring equipment.
• 中国海洋大学 (Ocean University of China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 海洋研究专家工作站 with experts from China Ocean University, undertaking national, provincial, and municipal research projects. Also partnered for joint research including oil droplet detection system using AI technology.
• 国土资源部青岛海洋地质研究所 (Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Ministry of Natural Resources)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal experts from this institute participate in the company's expert workstation for marine research collaboration.
• 中国科学院烟台海岸带研究所 (Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly developed nutrient salt sensor as a key national R&D project. The sensor completely simulates manual operation and can perform in-situ online monitoring of 5 types of nutrients.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RBR: Canadian designer and manufacturer of high-accuracy oceanographic instruments (CTDs, temperature chains, tide gauges). Haiyan integrates RBR products into its observation systems, placing them in direct competition in adjacent segments like temperature-chain buoys.
• Nortek: Norwegian maker of acoustic Doppler instruments (ADCPs, current profilers) widely used in ocean observation. Comparable on Haiyan's ADCP line, with overlapping research-vessel and offshore-platform customers.
• Aanderaa Data Instruments (Xylem): Long-established Norwegian manufacturer of oceanographic sensors (CTDs, oxygen optodes, current meters). Overlaps directly with Haiyan's CTD, sensor and buoy offerings for marine monitoring.
• Sea-Bird Scientific: Global leader in oceanographic sensors (CTD, wave, plankton profilers), now part of Danaher's Water Quality platform. Directly comparable to Haiyan's sensor and buoy portfolio, serving the same research-vessel, polar, and government customer base worldwide.
• SonTek (Xylem): Specialist maker of acoustic Doppler instruments for flow and current measurement, now within Xylem. Comparable to Haiyan's ADCP product family and shared focus on water-side velocity profiling.

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne Marine: Marine division of Teledyne Technologies offering a broad portfolio of sonars, instruments, hydrophones, and underwater imaging. Competes with Haiyan across multiple product lines (hydrophones, sonar, imaging) as a much larger established player.
• Fugro: Global geo-data specialist offering offshore site characterization, hydrographic and oceanographic survey services. Comparable in the marine-survey-services leg of Haiyan's business (via its subsidiary Qingdao Qiangxing Ocean Engineering) as a much larger incumbent.
• Kongsberg Discovery: Norwegian marine electronics and ocean observation division of Kongsberg Gruppen, supplying sonars, ADCPs, and integrated ocean instrumentation to research and offshore-energy customers globally.

Regional players

• Hi-Target (中海达): Listed Chinese provider of GNSS, marine positioning and hydrographic survey equipment. Competes regionally with Haiyan in Chinese marine positioning and survey markets served by domestic SOEs and research institutes.
• Beijing Highlander Information Technology (海兰信): Listed Chinese marine electronics specialist covering navigation, marine observation and ship systems. Provides a comparable domestic benchmark for Haiyan's marine-IT-and-instruments strategy within the Chinese market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haikou-ocean-research-technology-co-ltd

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Ocean Research Technology Co., Ltd.