Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Size - By Product Type (Surface Vehicles, Underwater Vehicles), By Sub-system (Propulsion, Drive System, Collision Avoidance, Payloads & Imaging, Communication & Navigation), By Type, By Application & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Size

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market size was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 12% between 2024 and 2032. The growing demand for oceanographic and environmental data is driving market growth. Traditionally, data collection relied on manned research vessels, which was costly, time-consuming, and had restricted access to locations. AMVs, particularly Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), can be designed to operate autonomously for long periods of time, exploring deep seas or isolated regions that manned vehicles cannot reach or are unsafe to visit.
 

Autonomous Maritime Vehicles (AMVs) can be deployed in fleets or programmed for regular flights, allowing for thorough data gathering over larger regions and more frequent sampling. This results in a better understanding of oceanographic and environmental changes.
 

For instance, in March 2023, HUB Ocean, the Norwegian non-profit foundation, collaborated with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to convene ocean scientists and private enterprises for a workshop on oceanographic data. The event emphasized ocean modeling and its significance in tackling challenges outlined by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This highlights the demand for oceanographic and environmental data, thereby fueling the autonomous marine vehicle market.
 

Applications in the oil and gas industry that rely on underwater infrastructure inspection and maintenance are fueling the adoption of autonomous marine vehicles. Traditionally, these inspections involve deploying divers or Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Divers are expensive and pose substantial safety concerns but ROVs require a surface support vessel, thereby increasing operational expenses. Autonomous marine vehicles avoid these hazards and may operate independently, resulting in lower total costs.
 

Underwater pipes and buildings may cover enormous distances. Divers and ROVs cannot cover big regions as quickly or efficiently as AMVs can. They can also explore difficult underwater habitats and gather precise data over time. Oil & gas exploration frequently takes place in deeper oceans and harsher settings. AMVs can be deployed in these hazardous environments without endangering people. They can endure high pressures and currents, making them suitable for deep-sea inspections.
 

The high initial investments in developing and deploying AMVs poses a major challenge to the autonomous marine vehicle market, potentially slowing down its growth. AMVs incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as enhanced sensors, navigation systems, and sophisticated AI software. Developing and integrating these technologies requires substantial expenditure in research & development.
 

Furthermore, AMV technology is continually changing, making it more expensive to remain at the forefront. The deployment of AMVs demands specialized infrastructure and a competent crew. Building docking stations, data processing centers, and training workers to run and maintain these sophisticated systems all increase the initial expenses. While AMVs show potential for future savings, they are still a relatively new technology. Companies are cautious to make significant upfront investments without a demonstrated track record of AMV effectiveness and a demonstrable ROI as compared to traditional approaches.
 

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Trends

Autonomous marine vehicles are witnessing significant technological advancements. Advances in sensor technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and autonomous navigation are making AMVs increasingly competent and adaptable. Improved sensors capture more precise & detailed data, while AI enables improved decision-making and path planning in complicated surroundings. This allows for a broader range of applications beyond typical activities such as underwater exploration, search & rescue operations, and real-time environmental monitoring. As technology advances, AMVs become more dependable and efficient, sensor miniaturization and higher-capacity batteries increase operational range and save downtime.
 

AI developments provide greater obstacle recognition and avoidance, resulting in fewer accidents and cheaper maintenance costs. These enhancements make AMVs a more appealing option for potential consumers. Technological developments are driving the creation of increasingly sophisticated sensors capable of collecting a broader variety of data. Furthermore, AI-powered data analysis tools improve the potential to derive useful insights from AMV data.
 

For instance, in January 2024, One Sea expanded its autonomous vessels association by adding AI specialists Marine AI, Marautec, and Sea Machines Robotics to its ecosystem. This strategic move aims to enhance the development of autonomous maritime technologies and advance the regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). Sea Machines Robotics, a prominent developer of autonomous command, control, and advanced perception systems for vessels, has joined One Sea as a Management Board member, contributing expertise in AI and maritime autonomy.
 

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Analysis

Based on product type, the market is divided into surface vehicles and underwater vehicles. The underwater vehicles segment accounted for a market share of over 67% in 2023 and is expected to exceed USD 6.3 billion by 2032. Underwater ecosystems are large and complicated, requiring a range of solutions. AMVs are available in a variety of sizes (small, medium, and big) and have specific characteristics, making them appropriate for a wide range of applications.
 

Small Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are suited for underwater mapping, limited space inspections, and scientific investigation in shallow seas. Medium AUVs provide a good blend of size and capabilities and are utilized for pipeline inspections, search and rescue missions, and resource prospecting. Large AUVs can operate at great depths and travel long distances, making them ideal for deep-sea research, military applications, and underwater cable installation.
 

Based on application, the autonomous marine vehicle market is categorized into military & defense, oil & gas, environment monitoring, oceanography, archaeology & exploration, and search & salvage operation. The military & defense segment accounted for around 39% of the market share in 2023. Governments emphasize national security and devote large resources to defense technologies. This equates to funds for military AMV research, development, and deployment. Growing geopolitical tensions and territorial conflicts throughout the world drive the demand for improved marine surveillance and undersea reconnaissance.
 

AMVs provide a cost-effective and efficient approach to monitor large regions and gather intelligence. Military AMVs excel in missions important to national security, including mine countermeasures (MCM), which can identify and eliminate underwater mines without sacrificing human life, and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), which can be utilized for submarine detection, tracking, and communication jamming. They provide continual surveillance capabilities for monitoring marine activities and obtaining critical intelligence (ISR), as well as Electronic Warfare (EW) to destroy enemy communications and radars.
 

North America is the fastest-growing region in the global autonomous marine vehicle market, with a major share of around 39% in 2023. North America is a hotspot of technical developments in fields such as sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and autonomous navigation systems. This provides a solid platform for AMV development and acceptance.
 

Governments in the region, notably the U.S., actively promote AMV growth through financing projects and research programs. This generates a favorable atmosphere for industry expansion. In addition, North America has a well-established marine industry, with an increasing demand for efficient & cost-effective solutions. AMVs meet these demands in various industries, including oil & gas, oceanic research, and defense.
 

The U.S. Navy and other government entities are the key drivers of AMV development and implementation. Significant money is provided for the study, development, and purchase of sophisticated AMVs for various military and defense uses. The U.S. has premier research institutes and companies that are at the forefront of AMV development. This promotes innovations and keeps the U.S. competitive in the global AMV industry. With enormous coasts and strategic interests across the world, the U.S. prioritizes maritime security and domain awareness. AMVs are an effective instrument for surveillance, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare, thereby propelling autonomous marine vehicle market growth in the military sector.
 

Many APAC nations, including China, Japan, and India, are dramatically expanding their defense spending. This encourages investments in sophisticated military technology such as military AMVs for surveillance, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. Territorial conflicts and maritime security concerns in the South and East China Seas are driving the demand for AMVs for border patrol and information collection. Furthermore, numerous APAC governments are actively encouraging the development and use of AMVs through research funding and business partnerships.
 

European countries including France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are witnessing significant growth in the autonomous marine vehicle market. The European Union (EU) actively promotes AMV development through financial initiatives such as Horizon 2020. These initiatives prioritize projects focusing on Arctic ice monitoring and environmental conservation, with AMVs being utilized for scientific study and sustainable practices. Europe is home to several marine science research centers and universities. These organizations rely extensively on AMVs to collect data in difficult conditions, contributing to advances in oceanography, climate change research, and marine biology.
 

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Share

L3Harris Technologies, Subsea 7 and Teledyne Marine hold significant market share of 32% in autonomous marine vehicle industry. L3Harris Technologies offers a diverse range of high-quality autonomous solutions, leveraging its expertise in sensor systems and communication technologies. Subsea 7's strong market position stems from its extensive experience in offshore energy services, allowing it to integrate autonomous vehicles seamlessly into its operations.
 

Teledyne Marine excels in providing comprehensive underwater technology solutions, including autonomous vehicles, benefiting from its reputation for reliability and innovation. Together, their broad product portfolios, technological prowess, and industry partnerships establish them as leaders in this rapidly evolving sector.
 

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Market Companies

Major companies operating in the autonomous marine vehicle industry are:

• Hydroid
• Kongsberg Maritime
• L3Harris Technologies
• Lockheed Martin
• Saab Seaeye
• Subsea 7
• Teledyne Marine
   

Autonomous Marine Vehicle Industry News

• In November 2023, Saildrone Voyager became the first marine vehicle classed using the ABS Autonomous Guide, a 10-meter commercial Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) developed by Saildrone. This pioneering autonomous asset has achieved ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for autonomous and remote control Functions, marking a significant milestone in the development of autonomous maritime technologies.
   
• In June 2023, PXGEO placed an order for more than 20 Saab Sabertooth Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for offshore seismic surveys. This significant order, valued at USD 56.7 million, was set to be delivered between 2023 and 2025. The Sabertooth AUVs will be integrated into PXGEO's MantaRay solution for offshore seismic data acquisition, enhancing deployment and recovery efficiency during ocean bottom surveys.
   

The autonomous marine vehicle market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and shipment (Units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product Type

• Surface vehicles
• Underwater vehicles

Market, By Type

• Semi-Autonomous
• Autonomous

Market, By Sub-system

• Propulsion
• Drive system
• Collision avoidance
• Payloads & imaging
• Communication & navigation

Market, By Application

• Military & defense
• Oil & gas
• Environment monitoring
• Oceanography
• Archaeology & exploration
• Search & salvage operation

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Nordics
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA