Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersQingdao Shi, China
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Legal name
- 中国科学院海洋研究所
- Website
- https://qdio.cas.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Science Research
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro industry
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource ManagementBusiness & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs
Keywords
Where Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Qingdao Shi
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Government Research Funding: Primary revenue from national research grants, including funding from National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences strategic programs, and provincial government projects
- Scientific Research Services: Revenue from providing scientific research services, ship time access, and research facility usage to external institutions and international collaborators
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) is China's first and largest comprehensive national marine science research institution, conducting fundamental and applied research across marine ecology, marine biology, physical oceanography, marine geology, marine environmental science, and deep-sea exploration. It operates a fleet of 13 major research vessels (including KEXUE), the Discovery ROV deep-sea system, the world's first full-depth deep sea buoy observation array, the LangYa AI ocean forecasting model, and Asia's largest marine biological specimen collection (over 870,000 specimens). The institute provides research services, ship-time access, graduate education, and applied technologies such as modified clay red tide control to government, academic, and international partners.
Product overview
The Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences operates as a comprehensive ocean research institution offering a unified portfolio of ocean scientific research services, deep-sea exploration platforms, and AI-powered ocean forecasting solutions. The core offerings include: the '科学' (KEXUE) research vessel fleet serving as mobile ocean laboratories; the '发现' ROV deep-sea exploration system; the '琅琊' (LangYa) AI ocean forecasting model for global marine prediction; marine biological specimen preservation and research services; and specialized technologies like modified clay red tide control. These products and services serve national marine strategy, climate research, and oceanic economic development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 科学号 (Kexue/Research Vessel): China's first domestically designed and built new-generation comprehensive oceanographic research vessel
- 发现号 ROV (Faxian ROV)
- 琅琊 (LangYa)
Products and services
- LangYa (琅琊) Ocean Forecasting AI Model AI-powered large model for real-time, high-precision forecasting of global ocean state variables, integrating advanced AI algorithms with marine science knowledge for climate change and extreme weather applications. Built for national marine agencies, research institutions, and climate researchers.
- KEXUE (科学) Research Vessel Fleet National deep-sea scientific research vessel fleet including KEXUE (科学号), KEXUE-3 (科学三号), and Chuangxin-2 (创新二) for comprehensive oceanographic surveys and deep-sea exploration missions. Provides ship time and expedition services to research institutions and international collaborators.
- FAXIAN (发现) ROV System Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for deep-sea exploration capable of high-definition video capture, sampling, and precision detection at depths up to 4,500 meters, having completed over 400 deep-sea dives. Deployed for research institutions and scientific expeditions.
- Oceanographic Data Center (海洋大数据中心) Comprehensive marine data platform integrating global ocean temperature, salinity, current, and ecological data with AI-powered analysis for environmental forecasting and disaster early warning. Serves researchers, government agencies, and policy bodies.
- Modified Clay Red Tide Control Technology (改性黏土治理赤潮技术) Environmentally friendly technology for red tide (赤潮) disaster management, developed over 30 years and applied domestically and internationally in Peru, the US, Malaysia, and Turkey. Available to government environmental agencies and marine management bodies.
- IOCAS Marine Biological Specimen Museum (中国科学院海洋生物标本馆) Largest marine biological specimen museum in China and the richest in Asia, housing over 870,000 specimens collected since 1889 from 57 countries. Provides specimen access, taxonomic identification, and research services to marine biologists and research institutions.
- Ocean Observation Network (海洋观测网络) Integrated observation system including subsurface mooring arrays, buoy stations (Yellow Sea, East Sea), and the National Ecosystem Quality Comprehensive Monitoring Station network for continuous marine monitoring. Provides long-term observation data to researchers and policy bodies.
- Deep-Sea In-Situ Experiment Station (深海原位实验站) Deep-sea experimental platform enabling environmental in-situ detection, experiments, and sample preservation for studying deep-sea biological processes and extreme environment adaptations. Serves deep-sea biology researchers and oceanography programs.
- Marine Energy Storage Winch System Energy-saving winch with three-stage nested energy storage structure using coil springs for unmanned marine observation platforms, reducing cable payout energy by 5%, retraction by 21%, and overall cycle by 13%. Targeted at operators of unmanned marine observation platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- Achieved 13% overall energy reduction in complete vertical profile measurement cycle using new energy storage winch technology
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature8 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Russian Academy of Sciences Far Eastern Branch - National Scientific Center of Marine Biology (NSCMB FEB RAS)core19-year collaboration history with joint laboratory arrangements. 7th bilateral symposium held on marine biodiversity and biological science. Active exchange of researchers and joint research programs.
- Russia Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institute Pacific Branch (TINRO-VNIRO)coreCentennial anniversary academic exchange with agreements for regular scientist exchanges, joint research missions, and data sharing mechanisms. Joint laboratory cooperation framework being formalized.
- Global Ocean Observing Partnership (POGO)coreActive participation in POGO annual meetings with Director Wang Fan presenting keynote reports on Western Pacific air-sea flux observation networks. IOCAS contributes to international ocean observation standards and collaborative research initiatives.
- HOMES (Health of Marine Ecosystems) International ConsortiumflagshipLed by IOCAS Director Wang Fan, jointly initiated with Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Japan universities. Approved as UN Ocean Decade project focusing on marine ecosystem health under multiple stressors in the Indo-Pacific Convergence Zone.
- 20+ Countries - International Training NetworkcoreSince 2023, hosting international training workshops on subsurface mooring observations. Participants from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Tanzania, Indonesia and other countries. Training covers observation theory, technology deployment, data processing, and ship-based practical exercises.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)coreLong-standing international collaboration in deep-sea research and ocean observation. IOCAS ROV technology recognized as world-class through this partnership.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreActive collaboration in sea ice prediction modeling and Arctic research. Regular scientific exchanges and joint research initiatives.
- Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)coreJoint marine ecological ranch construction and demonstration project. Multiple collaborative research initiatives including HOMES international project.
- NOAAcoreInternational collaboration in sea ice prediction and Arctic research
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (USA)coreMoU signed for deep-sea research and ocean observation collaboration
- Mons University (Belgium)coreJoint laboratory establishment for marine economic biological interactions and aquaculture research
- NPOCE (Northwestern Pacific Ocean Circulation and Climate Experiment)flagshipChina-initiated first large-scale international cooperation program in marine science. IOCAS leads the program focusing on Western Pacific ocean circulation and climate research. UNESC0 endorsed the international working group.
- Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS)coreInternational data sharing partnership for ocean biogeographic information
- Chinese Academy of Sciences South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO)coreDomestic collaboration on South China Sea marine research and expeditions
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): The largest private non-profit oceanographic research institution in the US, with a comparable mission of deep-sea exploration, ocean observation, and marine science research. IOCAS has a long-standing collaboration with WHOI that explicitly compares the two institutions' ROV and deep-sea capabilities.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography: One of the oldest and largest US oceanographic research centers, part of UC San Diego. Comparable in scope to IOCAS across physical oceanography, marine biology, climate research, and ocean observation; IOCAS holds an MoU with Scripps for deep-sea research collaboration.
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel: German government-funded ocean research center covering marine biogeochemistry, physical oceanography, and deep-sea research. Closely comparable in scale, scope, and government-research-institution operating model to IOCAS.
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCSIO): A sibling CAS institution under the same parent, also conducting oceanographic research and operating research vessels. The closest domestic Chinese peer, with overlapping scope in marine biology, geology, and South China Sea expeditions.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): Private non-profit oceanographic research center focused on deep-sea technology development, ROV/AUV innovation, and marine ecosystem research. Highly comparable to IOCAS's ROV program, ocean observation, and AI-driven marine analytics.
- Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI): German Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, conducting oceanographic, polar, and climate research with its own research vessel fleet. Comparable scope and government-research-institution structure.
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (Russian Academy of Sciences): Russia's primary oceanographic research institution under the Russian Academy of Sciences, with parallel government-research structure to IOCAS. IOCAS holds a 19-year collaboration history with this institute and its Far Eastern Branch.
- National Oceanography Centre (NOC, UK): UK's leading deep-sea and oceanographic research institution, operating research vessels, autonomous platforms, and ocean observation systems. Comparable in operating model (government-funded, mission-driven) and capability set to IOCAS.
Emerging players
- Schmidt Ocean Institute: Private non-profit operating the research vessel Falkor (too) for ocean exploration, technology development, and open-data marine science. Comparable mission to IOCAS but smaller scale and more focused on technology enablement.
Broad incumbents
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): US government agency with broad mandate over ocean and atmospheric science, including research vessels, ocean observation networks, and climate science. IOCAS is an active partner of NOAA in Arctic and sea ice research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences social profiles
Digital presenceInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
What does Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences do?
The Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) is China's first and largest comprehensive national marine science research institution, conducting fundamental and applied research across marine ecology, marine biology, physical oceanography, marine geology, marine environmental science, and deep-sea exploration. It operates a fleet of 13 major research vessels (including KEXUE), the Discovery ROV deep-sea system, the world's first full-depth deep sea buoy observation array, the LangYa AI ocean forecasting model, and Asia's largest marine biological specimen collection (over 870,000 specimens). The institute provides research services, ship-time access, graduate education, and applied technologies such as modified clay red tide control to government, academic, and international partners.
Is Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences a public or private company?
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences founded?
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences was founded in 1950.
Where is Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences based?
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences is headquartered in Qingdao Shi, China, in the Asia region.
How does Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Research Funding is the primary driver. The others are scientific Research Services.
Who are Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Scripps Institution of Oceanography, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCSIO), Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (Russian Academy of Sciences) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC, UK). Schmidt Ocean Institute is listed as an emerging player. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
What industry is Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in?
Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences's product category is Marine Science Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 8731.