ROVHUB is an international business-to-business marketplace for companies that own ROVs and those that use ROV services. It matches ROV hire and purchase requirements with owners of relevant vehicles - quickly, easily and confidentially.
We cover the full range of ROVs from mini units to heavy work-class vehicles, work across many industry sectors, with work scopes ranging from simple visual inspection to complex subsea intervention.
ROVHUB matches ROV requirements with relevant suppliers by querying its extensive database of ROVs and owners using powerful search tools developed in-house.
Our automated system allows buyers to anonymously send their hire or purchase requests to multiple suppliers with a few clicks of a mouse, for free. It delivers these opportunities to matching suppliers’ inboxes for review.
Suppliers can then submit an Expression of Interest to ROVHUB and we assist buyers in drawing up a supplier shortlist. Contract negotiations and delivery are arranged directly between the buyer and their preferred supplier.
ROVHUB receives a small commission fee from the successful supplier once the supplier is paid by the buyer.
It is free for buyers to use ROVHUB.
It is also free for suppliers to list their ROVs on ROVHUB so that they can be matched to relevant hire or purchase enquiries.
If a supplier secures business through our introduction then ROVHUB receives a small commission fee from them once they are paid by the buyer. There are no up-front fees.
ROVHUB is a business-to-business platform designed for commercial use. Online trading regulations do not allow us to accept registrations from individual consumers.
To maintain the quality of our system, registration requests go through a short approvals process to ensure they are from genuine ROV owners or users of ROV services.
For account security reasons we do not accept generic webmail addresses for registration. Please sign up with your company email address.
Our system cannot currently accommodate suppliers of ancillary equipment and services. However, we are working on new features for companies that support the market and we aim to release more details soon.
We are happy to work with brokers and consultants but we do not typically allow access to our system. Please contact us to discuss.
ROVHUB appreciates the commercial sensitivity of information submitted by its users and it is handled accordingly.
Our system is set up to keep buyers and sellers anonymous to each other until they are ready for direct discussions.
ROVHUB liaises between the parties and assists in the anonymous exchange of technical and commercial information so that preferred suppliers can be identified.
We list 100s of different models from mini ROVs to heavy work class vehicles, with a focus on standard models that are currently commercially available. This includes many older models, but not those that are redundant or have seen no active service for some time.
Due to their distinct markets and specifications, we do not currently cover special purpose vehicles, such as those for the nuclear industry, hull cleaners, utility ROVs, resident ROVs, AUV hybrids, pipe crawlers, trenchers and bespoke scientific research ROVs.
Our team is constantly monitoring the market. We aim to keep track of every new model under development so we can list them when they enter serial production.
We also greatly appreciate the help of the ROVHUB user community and we’d be pleased to hear of any models we have overlooked. We have many old models in our database that do not appear in our dropdowns because we believe them to be redundant, but if you have one that is still operating, then please let us know!
Please contact us here regarding model omissions, ideally including specifications of the vehicle.
NB: We list the main model name of a series, rather than the name of each minor variant.
Different companies and industries have slight variations in how they classify ROVs. ROVHUB has opted to broadly follow categories set out by IMCA, with more descriptive names for ease of use:
Mini units are usually hand launched, weigh up to 30kg, work in up to 50-300 msw and are primarily used for video tasks. Some are powered by onboard batteries, some are driven by electricity via the umbilical.
Observation ROVs are typically davit or crane launched, weigh up to 150kg, work in up to 300-1000 msw and are mainly used for visual and sensor recordings, with some light gripper work. Mostly electric powered.
Inspection vehicles can carry a heavier payload than observation vehicles and are often equipped with a single mid-sized manipulator which allows for deployment of testing probes, brushes etc. They typically weigh up to 500kg, can be launched by crane or LARS, have a TMS or be free swimming, and work in up to 500-2000 msw. Mostly electric powered.
Light work class vehicles can carry out many of the tasks of larger work class vehicles but with a smaller deck footprint. Also used for inspection duties. Typically weigh up to 2000kg, can be launched by crane or LARS, have a TMS or be free swimming, and work in up to 2000 msw, although some variants can go to 6000 msw. Most have two manipulators. Some hydraulic and some electrically driven.
Work class ROVs are generally engaged in intervention works using a pair of powerful manipulators and a wide range of tooling. Mostly driven by hydraulic thrusters and with a power rating of 100-150hp. Typically weigh 2500-4000kg and usually deployed via a LARS and TMS. Payload capability is in the 150-400kg range and they are generally rated to work in up to 2000-4000 msw.
Heavy work class ROVs are the most powerful vehicles used for the most demanding intervention tasks. Payload capacity is 250+kg. Most are hydraulic-driven with a power rating of 150+hp. Can weigh more than 5000kg and work in up to 4000 msw. Deployment via LARS and TMS.