Cyan Subsea Pty Ltd
Overview
Cyan has built its position in Australia’s defence sector through its role as one of nine panel contractors under HIPP, the Hydrographic/Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Programme, delivering seabed mapping survey work for the Australian Hydrographic Office. This work has given Cyan direct, sustained exposure to Defence’s technical standards and operational requirements, and it has used that platform to push into adjacent capability areas rather than stay confined to survey delivery alone. Cyan has moved into AUKUS Pillar 2-adjacent territory, identifying gaps in sovereign training and credentialling for new autonomous technology, and is developing training solutions in partnership with specialist providers. Cyan’s defence engagement has grown from a survey contractor relationship into a broader capability partner role, spanning hydrographic data acquisition, sensor validation, uncrewed platform integration, and now workforce development for Australia’s future Defence Force.
Capabilities
Cyan’s core capability is hydrographic survey and subsea positioning, backed by multibeam echosounder (MBES) operations, USBL positioning, and ROV and AUV service delivery. It has applied these directly within defence through its position as one of nine panel contractors under HIPP, delivering seabed mapping survey work for the Australian Hydrographic Office against demanding accuracy and coverage standards. Cyan also owns and operates a fleet of 40 large offshore vessels, giving it the scale to sustain long-duration survey and support operations independently of third-party charter. This vessel capability extends into ship management, with Cyan responsible for managing the research vessel RV Investigator, including providing its marine crew, demonstrating an ability to operate and crew significant national maritime assets to the standards those programs demand. Beyond survey delivery, Cyan operates Cyan Connect, a remote operations capability that allows subsea and survey operations to be monitored and directed from an onshore hub, reducing the need to deploy personnel offshore. Most recently, Cyan has moved into workforce development, identifying a gap in sovereign training and credentialling for Defence customers.
Discriminators
Vertically integrated capability: Cyan owns and operates 40 large offshore vessels, so it isn’t dependent on third-party charter to deliver survey and support work, unlike most survey-only providers who subcontract vessel supply Vessel and crew management track record: manages the CSIRO research vessel RV Investigator, including providing its marine crew, demonstrating operational competence beyond survey execution Remote operations technology: Cyan Connect allows subsea and survey operations to be monitored and directed from an onshore hub, reducing offshore personnel exposure and mobilisation cost Sensor and platform innovation: actively trials next-generation technologies, using the HIPP Program as a platform to demonstrate capability in subsea domain Established government partner: one of nine panel contractors under HIPP, delivering national seabed mapping for the Australian Hydrographic Office Workforce development pivot: moving beyond survey delivery into sovereign training and credentialling design for Defence customers operating autonomous and remotely operated systems, in partnership training partners Indigenous participation program: a structured 10-year Indigenous Participation Plan road map, with supplier partners including Indiya Geospatial, Bunbara Group, and Indigenous Ranger groups Key clients spanning both commercial and government sectors: Woodside, Santos, INPEX, Fortescue, and the Australian Hydrographic Office