SONAVISION LIMITED

What SONAVISION LIMITED does

Sonavision Limited is an employee-owned UK underwater technology company headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, that designs, develops, and manufactures specialist subsea acoustic hardware. Its product portfolio centres on the RoxAnn family of hydro-acoustic seabed classification systems (GD Fishing, GD-A Survey, GD-S Swath, GD-X/X2 Groundmaster, GD-Z Stereo), which process echo-sounder returns to classify seabed materials in real time and integrate with GPS and third-party software (Piscatus 3D, RoxMap) for 2D/3D mapping. The SV series of frequency-agile mechanical scanning sonars (SV1010, SV2020, SV4040 MK2) serves ROV navigation, obstacle avoidance, and defence mine-hunting, with depth ratings up to 3000m and titanium construction. Supporting products include the Subcom 2000 industry-standard emergency through-water voice communications system for diving bells (in use over 20 years by major diving companies), the Hermes serial data multiplexer for ROV sensor integration, the Hawkeye range of 26 underwater video camera models rated from 300m to 6000m, the Echo Altimeter, the Centaur bathymetry unit, and the recently launched S4-DALIG retractable soil sensor (UK Patent Application 2503999.1) extending into agricultural and environmental monitoring.

The company operates a horizontal go-to-market across six customer segments: oil & gas subsea services, commercial fishing, commercial diving, hydrographic surveying, defence, and soil science/agriculture. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales supplemented by a service and repair operation that maintains legacy products dating back over 30 years. Distribution is channel-led via international distributors (Flatoy Electronics a/s in Norway/Sweden/Denmark, TMQ in Australia, Oceaneering International for multiplexer sales) with direct sales and technical support from Aberdeen, supplemented by active participation in subsea industry exhibitions (SUBSEA EXPO, OSEA Singapore, Oceanology International, ADIPEC). Notable enterprise customers include FUGRO, SapuraAcergy, and Oceaneering International in oil & gas, alongside government and academic users (US Department of Marine Resources, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Park Service/Biscayne, Curtin University).

Sonavision was acquired by Nortek AS of Norway in January 2011 and subsequently bought back by its own employees around 2015, after which it obtained ISO 9001 certification in 2016 and relocated within Aberdeen to a facility equipped with a 4m x 3m x 2m test tank and pressure test capabilities. The employee-owned structure underpins the company's claimed focus on direct customer requirements and long-term product stewardship. The S4-DALIG launch in 2025 and the CarbonXtras Project partnership with The James Hutton Institute, CSIR-CRI, Embrapa, and UK FCDO represent a deliberate diversification of the business into climate-smart agriculture and soil carbon monitoring in Ghana, broadening the addressable market beyond its traditional subsea customer base.

Name

SONAVISION LIMITED

Legal name

Sonavision Ltd

Website

https://sonavision.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sonavision Limited is an employee-owned Aberdeen-based manufacturer of specialist underwater acoustic hardware, including the RoxAnn seabed classification systems, SV series mechanical scanning sonars, Subcom 2000 emergency diving communications, and Hawkeye underwater cameras, serving oil and gas subsea services, commercial fishing, commercial diving, hydrographic surveying, defence, and soil science customers worldwide through international distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Acoustic Equipment

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), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Naval Sensors & Sonar Systems (IMABAKAD), Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ)

Keywords

• Seabed classification systems
• Mechanical scanning sonar
• Through-water acoustic communications
• Subsea ROV sensors
• Underwater video cameras

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Underwater Acoustic Hardware Sales: Sonavision designs, develops, and manufactures specialist underwater acoustic hardware including sonars, seabed classification systems, through-water communications devices, multiplexers, underwater cameras, and altimeters. Products are sold directly and through a global distributor network. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with accompanying service and support.
2. Product Service, Repair and Support: Sonavision provides service and repair for its products and legacy products dating back over 30 years. The company maintains a focus on turnaround times, tests all products prior to certification, and offers replacement alternatives for products beyond economic repair. Revenue from servicing current and legacy installed base.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sonavision designs, develops, and manufactures specialist underwater acoustic hardware including the RoxAnn seabed classification family, SV series mechanical scanning sonars, Subcom 2000 through-water emergency voice communications, Hermes serial data multiplexers, Hawkeye underwater cameras, Echo Altimeters, Centaur bathymetry units, and the S4-DALIG retractable soil sensor. Products are sold directly from Aberdeen and through a global network of international distributors, with the company also providing aftermarket service, repair, and legacy product support for installations dating back over 30 years.

Product overview

Sonavision Limited is a specialist underwater technology company offering a portfolio of acoustic and sonar products for seabed mapping, imaging sonar, and through-water communications. The product portfolio centers on the RoxAnn seabed classification family (GD Fishing, GD-A, GD-S Swath, GD-X Groundmaster, GD-X2 Groundmaster, GD-Z Stereo) which processes echo-sounder returns to classify seabed materials, complemented by the SV series mechanical scanning sonars (SV1010, SV2020, SV4040 MK2) for ROV navigation and obstacle avoidance. Supporting products include Subcom 2000 emergency diving communications, Hermes serial data multiplexers, Hawkeye underwater cameras, Echo altimeters, Centaur bathymetry units, and the recently launched S4-DALIG soil sensor. Products serve oil and gas, defence, commercial fishing, hydrographic surveying, and soil science industries through a global distributor network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RoxAnn GD Fishing Hydro-acoustic seabed classification system designed for commercial fishermen to identify seabed material types (rock, gravel, sand, silt) for optimal fishing ground selection and gear protection. Interfaces with vessel echo-sounder and GPS to produce real-time colour-coded seabed maps.
• RoxAnn GD-A Survey and Scientific Hydrographic seabed classification system for scientific and survey applications that interfaces with existing vessel echo-sounder and GPS to create colour-coded seabed material maps in 2D or 3D in real-time. Used by research institutions and government agencies worldwide.
• RoxAnn GD-S Swath Multi-beam seabed classification system providing seven individual beams covering a 60-degree included angle swath for greater survey efficiency and reduced survey costs compared to single-beam systems.
• RoxAnn GD-X Groundmaster Self-contained portable seabed classification system with built-in monochrome echosounder and dual-frequency operation (50kHz and 200kHz) for use on small vessels without dedicated survey equipment.
• RoxAnn GD-X2 Groundmaster Self-contained portable seabed classification system with built-in colour echosounder and dual-frequency operation designed for inshore and coastal water surveys.
• RoxAnn GD-Z Stereo Dual-channel concurrent seabed classification system that processes data from two echo-sounders simultaneously (typically HF and LF) to classify softer sediments overlying harder substrates and determine sediment depths.
• SV1010 Sonar Compact frequency-agile mechanical scanning sonar with 1:3 piezo composite transducer operating at 600kHz to 1.2MHz. Evolved from the Mercury Sonar with improved scan rate and resolution. Available in 300m and 3000m depth ratings. Used in defence mine-hunting and forensic recovery operations.
• SV2020 Sonar Frequency-agile high-performance mechanically scanning sonar with 1:3 composite wideband transducer operating at 325kHz to 675kHz. Titanium construction with 3000m depth rating. Upgraded replacement for the SV2000 sonar.
• SV4040 Sonar Long-range frequency-agile mechanically scanning sonar with class-leading 1:3 composite wideband transducer operating at 250kHz to 500kHz. Titanium construction with 3000m depth rating for demanding subsea ROV operations including obstacle avoidance and target identification.
• Subcom 2000 Industry-standard emergency through-water voice communication system for diving bells. Provides acoustic communication through water column independent of bell umbilical using single side-band suppressed carrier system at 27kHz. Battery-powered with minimum 20 hours operating time, 1000m pressure rated, up to 3km range. In use by all major diving companies for over 20 years.
• Hermes Systems Hard-wired serial data communications multiplexer enabling up to 8 bi-directional channels over a single twisted pair cable. Supports RS232 or RS485 communication with sensors at up to 230kbaud combined data transfer, 3000m depth rated. Integrates Sonavision and third-party serial sensors on ROVs.
• Hawkeye Underwater Cameras Range of underwater video cameras available in 26 different models including spherical 32 series with LED lighting and tubular designs. Depth ratings from 300m to 6000m in various materials including stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, and acetal. Modular design with solid-state LED lighting, compatible with dive helmets and ROVs up to 6000m.
• Echo Altimeter High-resolution acoustic altimeter available in 200kHz or 500kHz versions. Provides precise distance measurements from ROV or vessel to seabed with serial digital or analogue output, configurable to simulate other industry-standard units. Recorded 100% reliability since market release.
• Centaur Bathymetry Unit Survey-quality bathymetric sensor incorporating Digiquartz pressure sensor and high-resolution echo-sounder. User-calibratable with configurable output to suit all ROV interface requirements.
• Minerva MK2 Control Unit Sonar control unit with faster internal PC card and new front panel layout. Runs Windows XP embedded with standard Sonavision Sonar application from solid-state hard drive. Full backward compatibility with Sonavision sonar range.
• S4-DALIG Retractable Soil Sensor Innovative retractable soil sensor registered under UK Patent Application Number 2503999.1. Enhances understanding of soil properties and their management for optimal agricultural production. Applicable in forestry, range management, wetland preservation, urban land use, waste disposal, and mine reclamation.
• Product Service, Repair and Support Aftermarket service and repair for Sonavision products and legacy products dating back over 30 years, conducted from the Aberdeen headquarters. Includes product testing and certification prior to return, with replacement alternatives offered for products beyond economic repair.

Quantifiable outcome

• SV4040 MK2 achieved 20 units delivered worldwide in 2025 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TMQcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 May 2010TMQ is Sonavision's RoxAnn GD distributor in Australia, specifically for the commercial fishing market.
• Oceaneering InternationalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 February 2010Global contractor and first customer for the Hermes MM-A Multiplexor. Oceaneering International purchased the multiplexer for ROV sensor integration applications.
• The James Hutton InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by The James Hutton Institute alongside CSIR–CRI, Embrapa, and Sonavision as part of the CarbonXtras Project. The UK–Brazil–Africa Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership, funded by UK's FCDO, aims to deploy a Dynamic MRV System tracking soil health, carbon fluxes, temperature, moisture, and greenhouse-gas emissions in Ghana.
• CSIR–CRI (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute, Ghana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the CarbonXtras Project alongside The James Hutton Institute, Embrapa, and Sonavision. Focuses on climate-smart agriculture monitoring and real-time soil and carbon monitoring system development for Ghana.
• Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the CarbonXtras Project alongside The James Hutton Institute, CSIR–CRI, and Sonavision. Contributing to the development of real-time soil and carbon monitoring technology under the UK–Brazil–Africa Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership.
• DIPPER LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the CarbonXtras Project working to expand real-time monitoring tools in Ghana's climate-smart agriculture initiative.
• AINAS (African Institute for Numerical Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the CarbonXtras Project contributing to real-time monitoring tools and stakeholder engagement in Ghana's climate-smart agriculture programme.
• Ghana Ministry of Food and AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry collaborating with the CarbonXtras Project to deepen real-time monitoring tools and support farmers, policymakers, and researchers in Ghana.
• Flatoy Electronics a/scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for the RoxAnn GD-A seabed classification system in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Received the 100th RoxAnn GD-A unit shipped by Sonavision.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Sonavision
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonavision-ltd

Compliance1 record

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 SONAVISION LIMITED