Report

Global unmanned surface vehicle market is projected to witness a CAGR of 10.58% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 1.06 billion in 2023 to USD 2.38 billion in 2031. Navigation technology and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) control systems have advanced dramatically, improving vehicle operability and autonomy. Operators can manage modern USVs remotely from the surface or nearby vessels and some of them operate autonomously. This level of autonomy is enabled by advances in software, sensors, and communication systems. Furthermore, the development of specialist autonomy platforms, including Typhoon, Voyager, ASView, and others, are intended exclusively for USV operations, helping to increase the broad acceptance of unmanned vehicles. These systems allow for effective control, navigation, and integration with many types of vessels, enhancing the versatility and effectiveness of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Advancements in propulsion technologies, such as electric motors, waterjets, and renewable energy sources, have increased USV efficiency and reliability. These systems improve the overall performance, endurance, and sustainability of USVs.
The growing demand for water quality monitoring due to higher pollution levels and ocean data mapping, which allows scientists to examine past climatic conditions, is driving the expansion of unmanned surface vehicles (USV). Their applications in disaster relief services, particularly in search and rescue and preventive maintenance, are ensuring the integrity of territorial and enclosed water regions. The fast adoption in the aquaculture industry, which enables real-time monitoring to meet the growing demand for global fishery products, will likely generate significant potential for the global unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market.
For instance, in January 2023, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, Exail SAS, and the University of New Hampshire conducted ship integration tests off the coast of Seattle, USA, demonstrating the effectiveness of a DriX USV for ship-based fisheries surveys. The drone, capable of remote-controlled and autonomous operations, was successfully deployed and recovered from the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson during a 3-day cruise in Puget Sound on the northwestern coast of Washington, the United States.
Rapid Technological Advancements to Drive Market Growth
The growth momentum of the unmanned surface vehicle market is driven by rapid technological advancement. USVs continue to improve in capability, reliability, and efficiency to open a whole new arena for exploration, defense, and resource discovery. Improved battery technology has stretched the operational range and endurance of USVs to operate for days or weeks without recharging. The increased endurance allows for longer submersion time for deep sea searches or extended monitoring operations. The integration of advanced sensors and communication systems has significantly improved the operational capabilities of USVs, allowing for real-time data collection and transmission. Enhanced AI capabilities enable USVs to operate autonomously, improving efficiency and safety in various missions.
For instance, in May 2024, BlueHalo LLC and Kraken Technology Group partnered to integrate BlueHalo's AI/ML-backed autonomous mission systems into Kraken's coastal security platforms for developing next-generation uncrewed surface vehicles to address national security priorities and develop new maritime capabilities.
Rising Demand for Marine Exploration and Water Quality Monitoring to Drive Market Growth
The growing demand for marine exploration contributes significantly to the global unmanned surface vehicle market, spurred by the need to uncover and manage underwater resources. USVs are equipped with sensors used for oceanographic research and data mapping, measuring water quality, temperature, salinity, pH values, and currents. They can autonomously navigate and collect information about water quality, relaying it back to shore operators in real-time. USVs aid in ocean data mapping, helping researchers understand marine ecosystems and mapping underwater terrain. Their versatility and autonomy make them valuable tools for continuous data collection, enabling real-time insights and informed decision-making in marine-related industries. Hence, the increased use of USVs for marine exploration and water quality monitoring is expected to drive the growth of the unmanned surface vehicle market globally.
For instance, in July 2024, Sulmara Subsea Limited secured funding from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) to develop an over-the-horizon (OTH) uncrewed surface vessel (USV) capable of launching and recovering towed sensor packages. The project aims to provide an environmentally friendly data acquisition methodology for offshore energy asset decommissioning, including marine growth monitoring, environmental and critical component monitoring, and 3D imaging of subsea infrastructure.
Growing Demand for Maritime Security to Drive Market Growth
One of the key drivers of the global unmanned surface vehicle market is growing concern about maritime security. To combat marine risks such as piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling, states and organizations utilize unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for better monitoring and situational awareness. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are essential for marine patrol and monitoring, offering long-term surveillance capabilities that human-operated vessels cannot match. These autonomous or remotely controlled vessels play a crucial role in protecting coastal waterways and maintaining maritime security. The USV's ability to conduct long-duration missions in tough marine situations enhances its usefulness in surveillance.
For instance, in April 2024, ThayerMahan, Inc. and Ocius Technology Limited partnered to develop a long-duration unmanned surface vessel (USV) with acoustic sensor arrays. ThayerMahan will install its passive acoustic maritime surveillance system on Ocius's Bluebottle USV, generating uncrewed acoustic sensing systems for distributed undersea surveillance networks.
Semi-autonomous Mode of Operation to Dominate Market Share
The semi-autonomous or remote-controlled mode of operation dominates the share of the global unmanned surface vehicle industry. This segment gains enhanced reliability and operational flexibility by integrating autonomous capabilities with manual control, which is especially desirable in complicated or uncertain circumstances. Semi-autonomous USVs are generally favored for applications that require real-time human interaction, such as search and rescue missions or complex survey tasks such as remote inspections of offshore platforms, subsea infrastructure, and pipelines. Companies are currently investigating the benefits of remote operation and unmanned vessel technology to improve productivity while lowering costs and risk in a variety of offshore wind farm and subsea development activities. Their demonstrated performance in the military and commercial sectors strengthens their market leadership. As technology advances and their functionality improves, the demand for semi-autonomous USVs is likely to rise, fueling market growth.
For instance, in January 2024, the EUROGUARD project was launched in Estonia, funded by the European Defense Fund, a USD 109.36 million initiative to develop a modular and semi-autonomous surface vessel platform with a remote-control system. The project, coordinated by Baltic Workboats, aims to strengthen sea defense capabilities across Europe.
North America to Dominate the Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market Share
North America holds the largest market share of the global unmanned surface vehicle market owing to the increased defense sector, investment in advanced maritime technologies, and the growing need for autonomous surface vehicles for environmental monitoring and commercial purposes. The region's excellent technological infrastructure and supportive regulatory framework aid market expansion. The region is home to significant players and excellent research institutions, allowing for developing cutting-edge autonomous battery and sensor technology. Increased military spending on undersea surveillance and reconnaissance, combined with increased oil and gas exploration and drilling, drives market expansion. This combination of variables places North America as a leader in the USV market, with robust demand across multiple industries ensuring long-term growth.
For instance, in June 2024, U.S. Navy announced plans to spend nearly a billion dollars over five years with 49 companies to design next-generation unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The 49 companies will share contracts worth USD 982.1 million to develop integrated unmanned surface vessels, USV propulsion systems, sensor and sensor-processing payloads, and other aspects of advanced USV design.
Future Market Scenario (2024 � 2031F)
� Advancements in AI and machine learning are expected to lead to more autonomous USVs, improving operational efficiency and safety in challenging environments.
� The integration of advanced sensor technologies such as LIDAR, sonar, and high-resolution cameras in USVs will enhance their surveillance, mapping, and environmental monitoring capabilities.
� As maritime trade grows, USVs are expected to gain popularity in areas such as shipping, logistics, offshore energy exploration, and oceanography due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Continuous innovation and strategic partnerships characterize the global unmanned surface vehicle market. As demand for USVs grows across defense and commercial applications, these key players are investing in R&D to enhance capabilities and address emerging challenges. The competitive landscape suggests a future marked by collaboration, technological advancements, and expanding applications for USVs globally.
For instance, in April 2024, South Korean shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HD HHI), partnered with American software company Palantir Technologies Inc., to develop Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for naval operations. The partnership aims to create a reconnaissance USV by 2026, with plans to expand into combat USVs later. Avikus Co., Ltd., HD HHI's autonomous navigation subsidiary, will provide software and integrate Palantir's Mission Autonomy technology while HD HHI will handle the integration of advanced equipment and development of high-performance hulls for the USV.