What International Seabed Authority does

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is a United Nations-affiliated intergovernmental organization established in 1994 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to organize and control all mineral resource-related activities in the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction, an area known as "the Area" covering approximately 54% of the world's oceans (181.63-260 million km²). Headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, ISA operates under the principle of the common heritage of humankind and currently has 170-172 Members comprising 171 States plus the European Union, with governance exercised through the Assembly and a 36-member Council.

ISA's operational portfolio centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) the Mining Code, a comprehensive regulatory framework comprising exploration regulations, draft exploitation regulations, and standards/guidelines governing deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides, and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts; (2) DeepData, an open-access database launched in 2019 holding over 10 terabytes of environmental, geological, and biological data with 200,000+ species observations, linked to UNESCO's OBIS and WoRMS for taxonomic standardization; and (3) Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs) including 13 Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) protecting nearly 2 million km² of CCZ seabed. Supporting these are capacity development programmes through joint training and research centres with China and Egypt, voluntary commitments under the UN Ocean Decade, and the ISA Partnership Fund.

ISA does not generate commercial revenue. The organization is funded through assessed contributions from its 170-172 Member States, supplemented by the voluntary Partnership Fund (USD 1.25 million as of 2025-2026). Contractors bear all costs of exploration activities, with cumulative contractor investment of USD 2.26 billion since 2001, including USD 413 million in environmental studies. ISA currently oversees 21 contractors across 31 contract areas covering 1.445 million km² (0.7% of the Area), and no commercial exploitation has been approved as of the 31st Session in 2026.

Name

International Seabed Authority

Legal name

International Seabed Authority

Website

https://isa.org.jm

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ISA is a UN intergovernmental body governing deep-sea mineral activities in international waters beyond national jurisdiction (the Area), serving 170-172 Member States and 21 contractors through its Mining Code, DeepData database, and Regional Environmental Management Plans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Ocean Governance and Seabed Mineral Regulation

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (2131), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Minerals, Mining & Geologic Resources Administration (BPAIAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Offshore Wind & Marine Spatial Planning Regulation (EUAMANAM)

Keywords

• Deep-sea mining regulation
• Seabed mineral governance
• Marine scientific research
• Ocean policy framework
• International regulatory organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

Jamaica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ISA organizes and controls all mineral resource-related activities in the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction ("the Area," covering ~54% of the world's oceans). It develops and implements the Mining Code, issues 15-year Exploration Contracts to sponsored contractors, manages the DeepData open-access database of deep-sea environmental data, sets Regional Environmental Management Plans, and runs capacity-building and marine scientific research programmes for the benefit of all humanity.

Product overview

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is a United Nations-affiliated intergovernmental body established in 1994 under UNCLOS to organize and control all mineral resource-related activities in the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction ('the Area'), which covers approximately 54% of the world's oceans. ISA does not operate a single commercial product but rather a portfolio of interconnected regulatory, data, and capacity-building offerings. The central platform is DeepData, an open-access global database (launched 2019) housing over 10 terabytes of environmental, geological, and biological data from exploration, which is linked to OBIS and WoRMS for expanded data sharing. Around this core data platform, ISA provides the Mining Code (a suite of rules and draft exploitation regulations governing deep-sea mining), Exploration Contracts (15-year agreements with contractors for PMN, PMS, and CFC resources across 31 areas), Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs with protected APEIs), Capacity Development and Training Programmes (including joint research centres with China and Egypt, professional officer programmes, and the WIDSR initiative), Voluntary Commitments under the UN Ocean Decade, the ISA Partnership Fund, and Deep-Sea Literacy Initiatives including the International Day of the Deep Seabed. Together these offerings constitute ISA's integrated framework for governing, scientifically understanding, and equitably managing deep-seabed mineral resources for the benefit of all humanity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DeepData Database
• The Mining Code
• Exploration Contracts
• Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs)
• Capacity Development and Training Programmes
• ISA Partnership Fund

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million km² of CCZ seabed permanently protected through APEI network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2025India signed a 15-year contract with ISA in September 2025 for exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean. India is the first country to hold two ISA contracts for polymetallic sulphides and now holds the largest exploration area allotted by ISA for deep-sea mineral deposits. The agreements are expected to enhance India's maritime and mineral exploration capabilities.
• Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationISA partnership with UNESCO's OBIS established in 2022. The linkage expanded sharing of environmental data and increased visibility of DeepData. DeepData records account for over 89,000 occurrence records or 15% of data collected at depths below 3,000 metres. ISA is the first UN body to become a node to OBIS.
• World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)strategicTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration formalized in March 2022 to standardize taxonomic nomenclature. New fields including WoRMS unique Life Science Identifier (LSID) and Taxonomic Identification Qualifier have been introduced in reporting templates to standardize species names.
• International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and ICPC have maintained an active dialogue for many years through formal and informal channels including a Memorandum of Understanding in place for more than fifteen years. Collaboration addresses potential interactions between deep-sea mineral activities and submarine cables.
• Natural History Museum of LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration initiated in 2020 with the PEW Charitable Trusts to review taxonomic data available for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Project aimed to analyze DeepData taxonomic data structure and support ISA's taxonomy workshops program.
• PEW Charitable TrustsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration initiated in 2020 with Natural History Museum of London to review taxonomic data for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and support ISA's taxonomy workshops program.
• ISA-China Joint Training and Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished Joint Training and Research Centre providing training on scientific and technical aspects of deep-sea research. Annual reports published documenting training activities and research outcomes.
• ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished Joint Training and Research Centre providing training on scientific and technical aspects of regional environmental management planning in the Indian Ocean Area.
• International Hydrographic OrganizationstrategicTechnology or IntegrationThrough ISA's Area2030 initiative, high-resolution bathymetric data is being voluntarily shared by ISA contractors. Data shared includes over 195,000 km² of seabed in CCZ, 188,500 km² along Indian Ocean ridge, and 10,000 km² in Atlantic, contributing to Seabed 2030 project to map the world's ocean floor.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global authority on species conservation status and environmental standards. Indirect peer as an influential non-state actor whose Red List assessments and policy positions materially shape ISA's environmental management frameworks and public legitimacy.
• Arctic Council: Intergovernmental forum managing a shared polar domain through consensus-based decisions among member states. Comparable governance structure but limited regulatory authority, illustrating the limits of consensus models for resource-rich commons.

Direct peers

• IOC-UNESCO (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission): The UN body coordinating ocean science, services, and capacity-building (including the Ocean Decade). Closely comparable to ISA's marine scientific research mandate, voluntary commitments model, and partnerships with developing states.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): The UN specialized agency that regulates global shipping with near-universal state membership and exclusive rule-making authority over an internationally shared domain. Structurally and operationally the closest analogue to ISA's intergovernmental regulatory model over the Area.
• International Whaling Commission (IWC): Intergovernmental body that manages a shared marine living resource under a moratorium/regulated regime. Comparable in its consensus-driven governance of a common-heritage marine resource and in facing pressure from pro-exploitation member states.
• International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES): Intergovernmental marine science organization coordinating oceanographic research across 20 member states. Comparable to ISA in convening state-sponsored research, producing scientific outputs, and advising regulators on environmental thresholds in shared waters.

Emerging players

• BBNJ Agreement Secretariat (under UN DOALOS): The forthcoming implementing arrangement for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty. Directly comparable in jurisdictional scope (areas beyond national jurisdiction) and will intersect with ISA on marine genetic resources and area-based management tools.

Regional players

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): U.S. federal agency regulating ocean resources within U.S. jurisdiction. Relevant as the institutional counterpart that has been positioned to issue unilateral deep-sea mining permits, representing the alternative regulatory model against which ISA competes.

Broad incumbents

• UN Environment Programme (UNEP): The UN's broader environmental governance body. Comparable in convening Member States on global environmental policy and in coordinating scientific assessments, but operates across all environmental domains rather than a single specialized resource jurisdiction.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO): UN specialized agency that manages other shared natural resources (fisheries). Comparable in operating global governance frameworks for renewable common-pool resources and convening technical commissions to set standards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isbahq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Seabed Authority