Copenhagen Subsea
Copenhagen Subsea A/S designs, manufactures, and sells rim-driven electric subsea thrusters, the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV, and the Maneuvering Subsea System directly to offshore energy operators, marine research institutions, ROV/AUV manufacturers, and subsea installation contractors worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersHellerup, Denmark
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Copenhagen Subsea does
Copenhagen Subsea A/S is a privately held Danish subsea engineering company that designs, tests, and manufactures rim-driven electric subsea thrusters and integrated underwater systems. Founded in 2001 as a vision within consultancy Kapacitet and officially incorporated in 2014 (CVR 36434783), the company is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark. Its origin is grounded in a specific failure mode: founders could not source electric thrusters reliable enough for an underwater hull-cleaning robot (existing units failed after roughly five hours of operation), which led to the in-house development of the rim-driven architecture—motor embedded around the rim with no central shaft, no gears, one moving part, sensorless control, and seawater-cooled and -lubricated bearings, with 3D-printed dual-material propellers. The resulting thruster line ships in four sizes (VS, VM, VL, VXL) and three configurations (asymmetric, symmetric, compact), with depth ratings of 700m, 3,000m, and 6,000m.
The commercial portfolio centers on three hardware families sold through direct enterprise field sales: the standalone electric subsea thrusters, the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV (200–600m operating depth, 8 thrusters, OMRON-based electrical system, integrated Dynamic Positioning), and the Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS) for subsea installation tools. A pair of maintenance tools (bearing puller, rotor puller) supports the aftermarket. Pricing is exclusively quote-based; an online thruster configurator on the corporate website collects specifications (size, configuration, turns, RPM, quantity) and routes leads to the sales team reachable at [email protected] and +45 70 22 11 62. The company sells to four primary verticals: offshore energy and oil & gas operators, marine research institutions, ROV/AUV manufacturers embedding the thrusters into their platforms, and subsea installation contractors. Documented end-users include GEOMAR (JAGO manned submersible), the US Navy, Derinsu (11,000 concrete mattresses installed at 100m depth using MSS), Demcon (USV), Pisces VI Submarine, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the sister company Hydro Hull Cleaning (SeaBadger ROV). Standardized industrial components from OMRON (MX2 inverters, EtherCAT, PLC) and SubConn connectors are explicitly chosen to enable field maintenance with locally sourced parts globally.
Operationally, Copenhagen Subsea is founder-owned and bootstrapped—Henrik Neuschäfer Larsen (CTO), Jens Peter Bredholt, and Jens Stephensen continue to lead—without disclosed external investors. Supporting functions (marketing, support, accounts) are reached via dedicated email addresses (cih, support, account @copenhagensubsea.com), and a Marketing Manager (Charlotte Hilleke) handles recruitment inquiries, indicating modest organizational buildout. Field-validated proof points emphasized across marketing materials include 4,000+ hours of continuous thruster operation without breakdown, DHI-certified in-water durability testing with no degradation, installation of 11,000 mattresses at 100m depth, and up to 1,900N thrust on the VXL model. Distribution is direct-only; the company advertises a global footprint and operates LinkedIn and YouTube channels for case-study distribution, with no disclosed channel partner, distributor, or reseller network.
Copenhagen Subsea firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Copenhagen Subsea
- Legal name
- Copenhagen Subsea A/S
- Website
- https://copenhagensubsea.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Copenhagen Subsea A/S designs, manufactures, and sells rim-driven electric subsea thrusters, the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV, and the Maneuvering Subsea System directly to offshore energy operators, marine research institutions, ROV/AUV manufacturers, and subsea installation contractors worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Copenhagen Subsea industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Subsea Propulsion and Underwater Robotics Equipment
- NAICS
- Ship and Boat Building (33661)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF)
Keywords
Where Copenhagen Subsea is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hellerup
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Copenhagen Subsea business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Electric Subsea Thrusters: Sale of electric subsea thrusters in four sizes (VS, VM, VL, VXL) with asymmetric, symmetric, and compact configurations. Thrusters are designed, tested, and manufactured in Denmark for AUVs and ROVs.
- Gorilla ROV Systems: Sale of the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV, a compact, silent, and highly maneuverable underwater vehicle powered by Copenhagen Subsea's own electric thrusters.
- Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS): Complete subsea positioning system including control panel, control cabinet, cable winch, and thrusters for precise positioning of subsea tools.
- Thruster Maintenance and Spare Parts: Sale of bearing puller and rotor puller maintenance tools, along with maintenance services and spare parts for ongoing thruster support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation based on thruster specifications |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Copenhagen Subsea product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Copenhagen Subsea designs, manufactures, and sells rim-driven electric subsea thrusters in four sizes (VS, VM, VL, VXL) with asymmetric, symmetric, and compact configurations. The company also builds complete subsea systems on top of this thruster platform, including the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV and the Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS) for subsea positioning and tooling. All products are designed, tested, and built in Denmark.
Product overview
Copenhagen Subsea offers a focused portfolio of underwater propulsion and maneuvering products centered on its proprietary rim-driven electric thruster technology. The core offering consists of four sizes of Electric Subsea Thrusters (VS, VM, VL, VXL) available in Asymmetric, Symmetric, and Compact configurations, which serve as the propulsion foundation for all systems. Two integrated subsea systems build on the thruster platform: the Gorilla ROV (a Light Work Class remotely operated vehicle) and the Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS, a positioning system for subsea tooling). Supporting the thruster products are specialized maintenance tools—the Bearing Puller and Rotor Puller—sold as additional products for customer self-service maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electric Subsea Thrusters
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,000+ hours of continuous thruster operation without a single breakdown
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Copenhagen Subsea
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Copenhagen Subsea technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature7 records
Copenhagen Subsea partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- OMRONcoreOMRON provides industrial hardware components for Copenhagen Subsea products including MX2 frequency inverters for thruster control, EtherCAT communication systems, and PLC industrial computers for ROV systems. The use of industry-standard OMRON components allows customers to easily maintain and repair systems using locally-sourced spare parts worldwide.
- DHIcoreDHI conducted independent in-water testing and certification of Copenhagen Subsea thruster performance and durability at their facilities. Tests confirmed no degradation and no decrease in performance after extended operation, validating the thrusters' reliability claims.
- Hydro Hull CleaningcoreHydro Hull Cleaning is Copenhagen Subsea's sister company that utilizes Copenhagen Subsea's innovative thruster technology for their SeaBadger hull-cleaning ROV. The companies co-developed the SeaBadger MKI (2015) and MKII (2022) with upgraded thrusters for stronger cleaning performance.
- GEOMARminorGEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel mounted Copenhagen Subsea thrusters on their JAGO manned submersible for marine research operations. HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visited GEOMAR and viewed the JAGO submersible equipped with Copenhagen-built thrusters.
- DemconminorDEMCON Unmanned Systems integrated Copenhagen Subsea thrusters into their Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for hydrographic surveying applications. Configuration includes 2x thrusters as rear main propulsion and 1x as bow-thruster.
- Pisces VI SubmarineminorPisces VI Submarine upgraded to Copenhagen Subsea's rim-driven electric thrusters for deep-sea exploration operations in marine protected areas. The thrusters provide virtually silent propulsion to avoid disturbing fragile marine ecosystems.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityminorEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University used Copenhagen Subsea's VM Thrusters for their autonomous surface vessel 'Minion' competing in the Maritime RobotX Challenge, benefiting from improved efficiency, durability, and thrust capability.
- DerinsuminorDerinsu Underwater Engineering used Copenhagen Subsea's Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS) for installing 11,000 concrete mattresses at 100 meters depth. The partnership demonstrated the system's reliability with 4,000+ hours of operation without breakdown.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Copenhagen Subsea competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SMD (Soil Machine Dynamics): SMD manufactures subsea robotics including work-class ROVs and trenchers used in offshore energy and cable installation. It is comparable to Copenhagen Subsea on the subsea installation and trenching tooling side that competes with the Maneuvering Subsea System.
- Saab Seaeye: Saab Seaeye is one of the largest manufacturers of electric underwater thrusters and ROVs globally. It competes head-to-head with Copenhagen Subsea in subsea propulsion for ROVs/AUVs, making it the most direct comparable on technology and customer overlap.
- VideoRay: VideoRay is a leading manufacturer of inspection-class and light work-class ROVs for defense, security, and commercial customers. It competes directly with Copenhagen Subsea's Gorilla ROV in the light work-class segment.
- Blue Robotics: Blue Robotics manufactures underwater thrusters, ROVs, and subsea components for hobbyist, academic, and professional markets. It competes with Copenhagen Subsea's thruster products in the smaller-size categories (VS, VM) and serves overlapping autonomous surface/underwater vehicle customers like Embry-Riddle.
- Deep Trekker: Deep Trekker produces electric ROVs and subsea equipment for inspection, aquaculture, and defense applications. Its portable, battery-powered ROVs compete with Copenhagen Subsea's Gorilla in adjacent segments and address similar subsea inspection use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime is a broad incumbent in subsea robotics and marine propulsion, offering underwater vehicles, thrusters, and integrated positioning systems. It overlaps with Copenhagen Subsea's thruster, ROV (Gorilla), and Maneuvering System product lines but serves a much wider maritime portfolio.
- Teledyne Marine: Teledyne Marine is a broad incumbent offering underwater vehicles, imaging, sonar, and instrumentation including thrusters. Its portfolio overlaps with Copenhagen Subsea across components and integrated subsea systems, addressing similar defense, research, and offshore customers.
Emerging players
- Sealution: Sealution is an emerging player developing rim-driven thruster technology for unmanned underwater and surface vessels. It is one of the closest pure-technology peers to Copenhagen Subsea on the rim-driven thruster architecture but is at an earlier commercialization stage.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Copenhagen Subsea social profiles
Digital presenceCopenhagen Subsea financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Copenhagen Subsea leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Copenhagen Subsea subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Copenhagen Subsea funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Copenhagen Subsea M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Subsea
What does Copenhagen Subsea do?
Copenhagen Subsea designs, manufactures, and sells rim-driven electric subsea thrusters in four sizes (VS, VM, VL, VXL) with asymmetric, symmetric, and compact configurations. The company also builds complete subsea systems on top of this thruster platform, including the Gorilla Light Work Class ROV and the Maneuvering Subsea System (MSS) for subsea positioning and tooling. All products are designed, tested, and built in Denmark.
Is Copenhagen Subsea a public or private company?
Copenhagen Subsea is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Copenhagen Subsea founded?
Copenhagen Subsea was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Copenhagen Subsea based?
Copenhagen Subsea is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Copenhagen Subsea make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Subsea Thrusters are the primary driver. The others are gorilla ROV Systems, maneuvering Subsea System (MSS) and thruster Maintenance and Spare Parts.
Who are Copenhagen Subsea's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SMD (Soil Machine Dynamics), Saab Seaeye, VideoRay, Blue Robotics and Deep Trekker. Broad incumbents are Kongsberg Maritime and Teledyne Marine. Sealution is listed as an emerging player.
Does Copenhagen Subsea have an API?
No public API is recorded for Copenhagen Subsea.
What industry is Copenhagen Subsea in?
Copenhagen Subsea's product category is Subsea Propulsion and Underwater Robotics Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAF, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms. Its NAICS code is 33661 and its SIC code is 3550.