ROVHUB is an international business-to-business marketplace and brokerage for companies that own and operate ROVs. Through our global network of industry contacts and supported by our extensive equipment database, we source suitable assets and guide buyers and sellers through the sale and purchase process.
We cover the full range of ROVs from mini units to heavy work-class vehicles, for work scopes ranging from simple visual inspection to complex subsea intervention across many industry sectors. We also handle major items of ROV-related equipment, such as LARS, TMS and manipulators.
ROVHUB has an extensive listing of ROVs and associated equipment available for sale. A summary of each is publicly accessible, but only registered users can see further technical details and photos.
Registered suppliers can submit details of assets they wish to sell via forms on the website, and registered buyers can request more information and ask questions via the system.
When purchase interest firms up, ROVHUB will liaise with the buyer and seller and will assist as broker in the sale and purchase negotiations.
There is no charge to suppliers for listing their assets on ROVHUB - they only pay a modest pre-agreed commission to ROVHUB after we successfully broker the sale of their asset. Commission details are agreed separately before ROVHUB introduces suppliers to potential buyers. If there is no sale, no commission is payable.
ROVHUB is almost always free to use for registered buyers. In exceptional circumstances when the supplier cannot pay for our service (e.g. the supplier is in administration), then a finder’s fee is paid to ROVHUB by the buyer for a successful purchase. This will always be discussed and agreed in advance of proceeding with purchase negotiations.
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.
We are usually happy to work with other brokers and consultants but we do not typically allow them to access 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’s deals with standard underwater remotely operated vehicles that are used commercially. We list a wide range of different models from mini ROVs to work class vehicles.
Due to their distinct markets and specifications, we do not currently cover special purpose vehicles, such as those for the nuclear industry, hull and net cleaners, utility ROVs, resident ROVs, AUVs and AUV hybrids, pipe crawlers, trenchers and bespoke scientific research ROVs.
Small units designed for personal use, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), aerial drones and units that operate on land are also outside our scope.
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.