Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.

What Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. does

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. is a privately held, Shanghai-based marine scientific instrument supplier and system integrator founded in 2007. The company distributes, rents, and integrates oceanographic instruments for marine surveying, physical oceanography, hydrology, underwater engineering, water environment monitoring, marine meteorology, model testing, and navigation/positioning. Its customer base is concentrated in Chinese higher-education and research institutions (with named accounts including Shenzhen University and Southern University of Science and Technology), government marine agencies, and commercial operators conducting offshore surveys and environmental monitoring. Sources of revenue are equipment sales (one-time procurement), equipment rental, and system integration / engineering services; pricing is not publicly disclosed and deals are transacted via direct sales engagement.

The firm holds authorized distribution relationships with a broad range of international marine OEMs, including EvoLogics, SeaTrac, Valeport, Tritech, AQUATEC, Aquaread, Blueprint Lab, Impact Subsea, DSPComm, Tecnadyne, Reson, HTI, and others, enabling it to bundle acoustic positioning (USBL/LBL), DVLs, altimeters, pressure sensors, multibeam and imaging sonars, water quality sondes, sediment profilers, ROVs, manipulators, acoustic modems, and hydrophones into integrated solutions. Alongside distribution, the company has developed proprietary branded offerings such as the AP-series multi-parameter water quality analyzers, the PNAV Sentinel-WQB monitoring buoy, the IMU-series attitude sensors, the EchoBoat-G2/Hydrone-G2 unmanned survey vessels, UltraLab wave gauges, and OBS laboratory sediment meters, often through cooperation with domestic universities and research institutions.

The operating model is sales-led and direct, anchored at a single Shanghai headquarters, with no parent company, subsidiaries, public listing, or institutional funding disclosed. Marketing and customer engagement rely primarily on the corporate website (p-nav.cn), supplemented by annual participation in OI China exhibitions and partner-led technical seminars such as the 2017 AQUATEC Sediment Measurement Technology Exchange. The company is not publicly listed, does not disclose revenue, and operates exclusively within China with a small specialist team covering marine surveying, physical oceanography, satellite navigation, and electronics disciplines.

Name

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.

Legal name

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.

Website

https://p-nav.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. is a Shanghai-based marine scientific instrument distributor and system integrator founded in 2007, supplying oceanographic hardware, rental, and integration services to Chinese universities, research institutions, government agencies, and commercial marine operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Scientific Instruments

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE)

Keywords

• Marine scientific instruments
• Oceanographic equipment distribution
• Underwater acoustic positioning
• Water quality monitoring systems
• Subsea survey instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sales of marine surveying, physical oceanography, hydrology, underwater engineering, water environment, marine meteorology, model testing, navigation and positioning instruments and equipment.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental services for oceanographic instruments and equipment.
3. System Integration Services: System integration services combining imported international products with domestically developed technologies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. distributes, integrates and services marine scientific instruments and equipment for oceanographic surveying, physical oceanography, underwater engineering, hydrology, water environment monitoring, marine meteorology, model testing and navigation/positioning. The company imports advanced instruments from international manufacturers and combines them with domestically developed technologies in cooperation with key Chinese universities and research institutions to deliver customized solutions, system integration, equipment rental and after-sales support.

Product overview

Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. is a marine/oceanographic technology instrumentation supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of scientific instruments and equipment. The company provides multi-parameter water quality analyzers (AP series including AP-700, AP-800, AP-2000, AP-5000, AP-7000), acoustic positioning systems (USBL and LBL from EvoLogics, SeaTrac, Subsonus, Tritech MicronNav, EasyTrak), current meters and flow measurement equipment (Model 106, MicroADV, ACM series, AEM-USB), sediment measurement instruments (AQUAscat 1000 series, Bettersize 2000W, SediMeter, UltraLab OBS), underwater laser 3D scanners (ULS series), multibeam and imaging sonars (Oculus, Gemini, Tritech, Impact Subsea), underwater sound recorders (SoundTrap series, A-tag), ROV systems (Seamor), manipulator arms (Blueprint Lab series), attitude sensors and INS systems (IMU series, ISM3D, Spatial), altimeters and pressure sensors (Valeport, Impact Subsea, Tritech), acoustic modems (AquaComm, DSPComm, HAM.BASE), wave gauges (AWP series, UltraLab ULS series), water quality monitoring buoys and unmanned surface vehicles. The company also provides system integration, instrument rental, engineering services, and maintenance support for oceanographic research, marine surveying, underwater engineering, hydrological monitoring, and environmental assessment applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AP Series Multi-Parameter Water Quality Analyzers (AP-700, AP-800, AP-2000, AP-5000, AP-7000) Portable and field-deployable water quality analyzers measuring temperature, conductivity, salinity, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, depth and optional optical/ion parameters, sold to research institutions and field operators conducting water quality surveys.
• Underwater Acoustic Positioning Systems (USBL and LBL) Ultra-short baseline and long baseline positioning systems for underwater target tracking, AUV/ROV positioning and diver tracking, distributed to marine operators and survey contractors.
• Model 106 Current Meter and MiniCTD Current meters for ocean current velocity/direction and conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profilers for marine scientific research, supplied to universities and research institutions.
• Laboratory Flow Measurement Equipment (MicroADV, ACM2-RS, ACM3, AEM-USB) Acoustic Doppler velocimeters and electromagnetic flow meters for laboratory water channel and hydrodynamic research, used by research laboratories and model testing facilities.
• Sediment Measurement Instruments (AQUAscat 1000 Series, Bettersize 2000W, SediMeter, UltraLab OBS) Acoustic backscatter sediment profilers, laser particle size analyzers and laboratory optical backscatter sediment meters for suspended sediment profiling, particle size analysis and turbidity measurement in rivers, lakes and marine environments.
• Underwater Laser 3D Scanners (ULS-100, ULS-200, ULS-500 PRO) Underwater laser scanners for capturing 3D point cloud data and synchronized images of underwater objects, used by survey contractors and underwater inspection teams.
• Multibeam and Imaging Sonars (Oculus, Gemini, Tritech, Impact Subsea) Multibeam imaging sonars with various frequencies and depth ratings for AUV/ROV-mounted imaging, obstacle avoidance and underwater visualization, sold to survey operators and ROV integrators.
• Underwater Sound Recorders (SoundTrap 300/600, ST4300, ST500, A-tag) Self-contained underwater acoustic recorders with broadband spherical transducers for marine mammal research, cetacean click detection and long-term passive acoustic monitoring.
• Seamor Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Remotely operated underwater vehicle for inspection, exploration and intervention tasks in marine and inland water environments.
• Blueprint Lab Electric Manipulators (REACH Alpha 5, REACH Alpha 7, Bravo 7, Alpha 5) Electric manipulator arms designed for integration with small/micro ROVs, providing high-precision joint positioning for subsea inspection, intervention and sample handling tasks.
• Attitude Sensors and INS Systems (IMU-00X/10X, ISM3D, Spatial MEMS GNSS/INS) Motion/attitude sensors (AHRS) and GPS-aided inertial navigation systems providing heading, pitch, roll, position, velocity and orientation data for offshore, hydrological and marine applications.
• Underwater Altimeters (Valeport VA500/VA500P, Tritech PA200/PA500, Micron, LRPA200, Impact Subsea ISA500) High-precision digital and acoustic altimeters for ROV/AUV altitude feedback, underwater target ranging and seabed profiling, with optional integrated pressure sensors and AHRS.
• Pressure Sensors (Valeport miniIPS/miniIPS2, Impact Subsea ISD4000, Keller PA-33X) and MIDAS BathyPack Precision underwater pressure sensors with up to 0.01% accuracy in titanium housings, and integrated bathymetry packages for depth and height measurement on underwater platforms.
• Underwater Acoustic Modems (AquaComm Gen2, DSPComm AquaNetwork, HAM.BASE) Underwater acoustic communication modems with communication ranges from 1km to 15km for underwater sensor networks, AUV/ROV communications and subsea wireless data links.
• Wave Gauges (AWP-24-3, AWP-300, UltraLab ULS Series) Capacitive and ultrasonic wave height meters for laboratory wave measurement, water level monitoring and active wave absorption systems in hydrodynamic laboratories.
• PNAV Sentinel-WQB Water Quality Online Monitoring Buoy and Water Quality Sampling USV Self-powered water quality ecological monitoring buoys and unmanned surface vehicles with wireless data transmission for continuous, real-time water quality monitoring in lakes, rivers and coastal waters.
• Unmanned Survey Vessels (EchoBoat-G2, Hydrone-G2) Unmanned surface vehicles for automatic bathymetric surveying and waterway mapping, with line-of-sight remote control and autonomous operation.
• Marine System Integration Services Custom system integration services combining imported international marine instruments with domestically developed technologies, delivered in cooperation with Chinese universities and research institutions for oceanographic and marine engineering users.
• Oceanographic Instrument Rental Services Rental services for oceanographic instruments and equipment for various marine survey and research applications, providing users flexible access to instruments without full purchase.
• Engineering Services and After-Sales Maintenance Technical consultation, equipment commissioning, periodic inspection, instrument calibration, spare parts replacement and equipment cleaning services supporting customers' marine instrument fleets.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AQUATEC GROUP (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2017AQUATEC GROUP UK and Shanghai P-nav jointly organized the 2017 AQUATEC Sediment Measurement Technology Exchange Meeting in Shanghai. The partnership focuses on introducing AQUATEC sediment measurement equipment including AQUALogger 310TY turbidity meter and AQUAscat 1000 series acoustic sediment profilers to the Chinese market, with technical exchange and demonstration activities.
• AQUATEC GROUP (英国)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partnership for product distribution and technology promotion of AQUATEC sediment measurement equipment in China.
• Various International ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized distributor and service partner for multiple international marine instrument manufacturers including EvoLogics (USBL/LBL systems), SeaTrac (USBL positioning), Aquaread (water quality analyzers), Valeport (CTD, current meters, sound velocity sensors), Tritech (sonar, altimeters), Ocean Instruments (SoundTrap underwater sound recorders), Blueprint Lab (underwater robotic arms), and Tecnadyne (underwater thrusters).

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne Marine: Umbrella group of Teledyne's marine technology businesses (Teledyne RD Instruments, Teledyne Benthos, Teledyne Odom Hydrographic, etc.) producing ADCPs, sonars, hydrographic instruments, USBL, and underwater imaging. Broad incumbent peer because Teledyne's portfolio directly overlaps multiple categories P-nav distributes (DVLs, sonars, USBL, altimeters, hydrographic sensors) and the company competes in many of the same end markets as a global incumbent.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian major supplier of marine technology including underwater sonars, USBL positioning, AUVs, and hydrographic systems. Broad incumbent peer because Kongsberg's portfolio (including its Simrad and Subsea brands) competes with multiple product lines P-nav distributes and increasingly targets Chinese research and offshore customers through its own Asia operations.

Direct peers

• Sea-Bird Scientific: Global manufacturer of oceanographic instruments (CTDs, water quality sensors, profilers) primarily serving ocean research, monitoring, and survey applications. Comparable to P-nav because Sea-Bird's products overlap heavily with P-nav's distributed Valeport, Airmar, and other CTD/water quality lines, and both target the same research and offshore operator customer base.
• Valeport Waterproof Sensors Ltd: UK manufacturer of oceanographic and hydrographic instruments (sound velocity sensors, CTDs, current meters, altimeters, bathymetry). Direct peer because Valeport is one of P-nav's key supply partners and its products map directly to P-nav's catalogue, with overlapping customer base in marine research, dredging, and offshore survey.
• Nortek Group: Norwegian manufacturer of oceanographic instruments including acoustic Doppler current profilers, DVLs, and acoustic positioning systems. Comparable to P-nav because Nortek's products (ADCPs, DVLs) are category-equivalent to the instruments P-nav distributes and integrates, and both vendors serve ROV/AUV builders, hydrographers, and research universities.
• Hydro-Bios Apparatebau GmbH: German manufacturer of oceanographic and limnographic instruments (water samplers, current meters, plankton nets, sediment corers). Direct peer because Hydro-Bios's product range covers several of P-nav's distributed categories (water samplers, current meters, sediment sampling), and both serve research and environmental monitoring institutions globally.
• NKE Instrumentation: French designer and manufacturer of oceanographic instruments (CTDs, current meters, water quality probes, autonomous data loggers). Comparable to P-nav because NKE's products overlap with P-nav's distributed water quality and current measurement portfolio, and both target coastal/estuarine research and environmental monitoring customers.
• Saiv A/S: Norwegian manufacturer of oceanographic and hydrographic instruments (CTDs, water quality sondes, sound velocity sensors, current meters). Direct peer because Saiv's product portfolio is essentially overlapping with P-nav's AP series and Valeport offerings, and both target academic research, hydrographic survey, and environmental monitoring customers.
• Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL): UK-based marine scientific instrument manufacturer and supplier serving oceanographic research, hydrography, and environmental monitoring. Direct peer because like P-nav, OSIL distributes and integrates marine instruments (including some globally recognised brands) and serves research institutes worldwide, with a comparable product portfolio spanning water quality, sediment, and oceanographic sensors.
• Sonardyne International Ltd: UK-headquartered designer and manufacturer of underwater acoustic positioning (USBL/LBL), navigation, and communication systems for offshore, defence, and scientific markets. Comparable to P-nav because Sonardyne's USBL/LBL systems compete directly with the EvoLogics, SeaTrac, and EasyTrak product lines that P-nav distributes, and both serve the same underwater survey and offshore customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shanghai-p-nav-scientific-instruments-co-ltd

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 Shanghai P-nav Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.