Connected Ship Market Trends

Connected Ship Market Overview

Connected Ship Market Size Anticipeted to Reach at a USD 9.54 Billion and Grow at a CAGR Of 6.01% by 2024 -2032

In terms of designs, uses, methods of construction, and technologies, connected technology in defense ships differs from that in commercial boats. Various governments throughout the world are spending much in this technology in order to produce new and improved navy ships and submarines. Ships are becoming smarter and more connected, but with new and exciting prospects for operational efficiency comes a greater danger of hacking. The connected ship technology is implemented in commercial and defense cargo ships and is generally utilized for cargo transfer to seagoing ships that are either underway or stationary. 

The growing incorporation of ICT in the global marine industry, the growing maritime tourism industry, and augmented budgets of shipping companies for the adoption of digitalization of vessels are some of the significant factors influencing the growth of the market for the connected ship, while the high deployment cost of marine broadband connectivity is expected to hinder the market's growth. Increasing expenditure by various countries on linking systems to increase the monitoring capabilities of their naval ships has been a prominent development driver of the market.

ABB (May 2023):

• Developing a revolutionary electric propulsion system concept for ultimate efficiency and new vessel designs.


• First prototype expected in 2025.

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (May 2023):

• Kongsberg Maritime successfully demonstrated remote and autonomous technologies on a cargo vessel in Norway.


• This development signifies progress towards autonomous shipping.

Key Players

• ABB (Switzerland)


• Emerson Electric Co. (US)


• General Electric (US)


• Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.


• Ltd (South Korea)


• Kongsberg Group (Norway)


• Marlink (France)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)


• RH Marine (Netherlands)


• Rockwell Automation Inc. (US)


• Schneider Electric (France)


• Siemens AG (Germany)


• Viasat Inc. (US)


• Wärtsilä (Finland)


• Intelsat (Luxembourg)


• Inmarsat Plc (UK)

Segmentation of the Global Connected Ship Market   

On the basis of ship type, the market has been bifurcated into commercial and defense. In 2018, the commercial segment dominated the global market. However, the defense segment is expected to register the higher CAGR during the forecast period. Increased adoption of connected ships by naval forces of various countries such as the US and China is driving the segment growth. For example, in June 2019, Lockheed Martin Corporation, in collaboration with the US Navy, launched Littoral Combat Ship 21, a connected ship that assists in anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, and surface warfare.

Based on installation type, the market has been divided into onboard and onshore. The onboard segment dominated the market in 2018 and is expected to record the higher CAGR during the forecast period. Onboard installation supports various advanced systems such as navigation systems, communication management systems, and ship information management systems. These systems offer enhanced communication, real-time location information, and details regarding the vessel such as fuel consumption and capacity to navy officials and fleet operators.

On the basis of fit, the market has been classified as line fit and retrofit. The line fit segment dominated the market in 2018 and is expected to register the higher growth during the forecast period of 2019 to 2025. Increasing orders for new ships and rising investments in naval defense by countries such as India and China are driving the growth of the segment.

Based on application, the market has been categorized as fleet operations, vessel traffic management, and fleet health monitoring. The fleet operations segment dominated the market in 2018. However, the fleet health monitoring segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Diagnostics and remote monitoring solutions provided by companies such as Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. offer features such as machine health information and fuel efficiency data. This in turn assists in effective fleet health monitoring.

The global connected ship market has been segmented, based on region, into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world. The European market dominated the global connected ship market in 2018 owing to the growing marine tourism industry. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period. Increasing military naval modernization activities undertaken by countries such as China and India are driving the market growth in the region.

Research Methodology

The market values and forecasts are derived using MRFR research methodology, which includes secondary research, primary interviews, data triangulation and validation from an in-house data repository and statistical modeling tools.

Secondary Research

In this process, data is collected from various secondary sources, including annual reports, SEC filings, journals, government associations, aerospace & defense magazines, white papers, corporate presentations, company websites, and paid databases.

Primary Research

In this process, both the demand- and supply-side parties are interviewed to extract facts and insights into the market forecast, production, trends, and projected market growth. Industry stakeholders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives across the value chain are approached to obtain key information.

Key Insights

• Market Sizing, Forecast, and Analysis: Detailed coverage of the market segment and sub-segments


• Regional/Country Trends and Forecast: Detailed analysis of the market in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world, along with key countries in each region


• Market Dynamics Intelligence: Market drivers, opportunities, trends, restraints, Porter’s five forces, supply chain, and value chain analysis


• Technology Trends, Regulatory Landscape, and Patent Analysis Outlook


• Competitive Intelligence: Market share analysis, financial analysis, product benchmarking, and strategic developments including joint ventures, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions


• Regional attractiveness and related growth opportunities

Recent Development

• February 2022: The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has set a new standard in composite manufacturing by producing two 3D-printed prototype logistics boats for the United States Department of Defense. The Marine Corps Systems Command's Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell (AMOC), in partnership with the UMaine Composites Center, successfully developed the disposable polymeric composite ship-to-shore vehicles using advanced manufacturing processes. The lengthier of the two vessels, the largest ever 3D-printed, depicts the transportation of 20-foot containers representing equipment and supplies from ship to land. The second vessel can convey a Marine rifle squad with organic equipment and supplies for three days. The prototypes can function as connected ships, increasing the transport capacity of a single-tow vehicle.

Intended Audience

• Ship manufacturers


• Information technology companies


• Law enforcement agencies


• Space agencies


• Defense organizations


• Government authorities


• Naval organizations


• Defense companies


• Research institutes


• Regulatory bodies