Autonomous Ships Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Autonomous Ships Market Analysis

The Autonomous Ships Market size is estimated at USD 8.38 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 11.93 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.30% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The demand for autonomous and remotely controlled ships is growing at a rapid pace due to the developments in sensor technology, connectivity at sea, and analysis and decision support software and algorithms (artificial intelligence) for various onboard applications, like navigation and situational awareness. The autonomy of the shipping industry is expected to reduce maritime emissions, enable massive fuel savings, and save about 20% of the cost incurred for shipping operators. Additionally, according to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), 58% of accidental events and 70% of accidental events were attributed to human error in shipboard operations. This technology is anticipated to apprehend such accidents due to human error on the bridges of the vessel, thereby reducing the accidents onboard.

In several countries, like Finland, the UK, Norway, South Korea, China, and Japan, various companies (in different industries, like shipbuilding, engine manufacturers, big data, and other software providers) are collaborating and forming research alliances to increase the human-machine interface and incorporate autonomy into the naval architecture. Such collaborations are expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. The cost for integration of autonomy into naval vessels, the threat of cybersecurity, and the reliability of software and machinery aboard the vessels are anticipated to act as barriers to the growth of the autonomous ships market during the forecast period.

Autonomous Ships Industry Segmentation

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defined maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) as a ship that, to a varying degree, can operate independently of human interaction. It identified four degrees of autonomy in ships, which are defined as follows: Degree one: A ship that is operated by seafarers with some of the processes automated. Degree two: Remotely controlled ship, controlled and operated from a different location with seafarers on board. Degree three: Remotely controlled ship, controlled and operated from a different location without seafarers on board. Degree four: Fully autonomous ship with an operating system that will make decisions and determine actions by itself. The military segment of the market study includes autonomous ships and unmanned surface vehicles.

The autonomous ships market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into partially autonomous, remotely controlled ships, and fully autonomous. By application, the market is segmented into commercial and military. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the autonomous ships market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).