The hydrographic survey equipment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.22 billion in 2025 to $3.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in development of hydrographic survey equipment, increasing adoption in offshore oil & gas survey, deployment in port and harbor management, integration in cable and pipeline route survey, growth in defense and research applications.
The hydrographic survey equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.47 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in autonomous hydrographic vessels, rising adoption of real-time positioning and sensing systems, expansion in advanced sonar and optical systems, growth in hydrographic software solutions, increase in unmanned survey platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of AI-based hydrographic mapping, deployment of IoT-enabled survey platforms, adoption of real-time data processing software, implementation of autonomous survey vessels, expansion of multibeam and single beam sonar systems.
The growing volume of global trade and shipping is expected to drive the expansion of the hydrographic survey equipment market in the coming years. Shipping trade involves the transportation of cargo, particularly via ships, enabling the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods manufactured, grown, or mined in one country to another. Hydrographic survey equipment is vital for producing accurate nautical charts and ensuring the safety of marine operations. Its use in shipping is essential for safeguarding vessels and their cargo. For example, in October 2025, the World Trade Organization, a Switzerland-based intergovernmental body that regulates and facilitates international trade, reported that in 2024, global trade in goods and commercial services grew by 4% to reach US$32.2 trillion. Trade in goods increased by 2%, while services grew by 10%, surpassing the growth recorded in 2023. Consequently, the rise in global trade and shipping is propelling the growth of the hydrographic survey equipment market.
Major players in the hydrographic survey equipment market are introducing innovative solutions, including fully electric survey vessels. These vessels operate on electricity rather than traditional fossil fuels, offering a more environmentally friendly option with reduced emissions and noise pollution. The Port of London Authority (PLA) unveiled a fully electric remotely operated survey vessel in collaboration with the University College of London (UCL) in May 2023. Equipped with innovative sonar and scanning systems, the vessel ensures precise data gathering for navigation, safety, and maintenance, particularly in situations where traditional survey vessels may not be suitable.
In March 2024, Teledyne Technologies, a U.S.-based provider of marine instrumentation and sensing systems, acquired Valeport Holdings Limited for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition strengthens Teledyne’s hydrographic and oceanographic measurement capabilities by integrating Valeport’s advanced underwater sensors and profiling instruments into its marine portfolio. Valeport Holdings Limited, based in the UK, specializes in precision hydrographic and oceanographic instruments for underwater surveying and environmental monitoring.
Major companies operating in the hydrographic survey equipment market are Kongsberg Maritime, Teledyne Technologies, Innomar Technologie GmbH, Sonardyne International, iXblue SAS, SyQwest Inc., EdgeTech, Tritech International Ltd., Valeport Ltd., R2Sonic LLC, Klein Marine Systems, AML Oceanographic, Chesapeake Technology, Inc., Saab AB, Seafloor Systems, Inc., GeoAcoustics Ltd., Imagenex Technology Corp., Ohmex Instruments, Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik, LinkQuest Inc.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are affecting the hydrographic survey equipment market by increasing costs of imported sonar systems, positioning units, and survey software. Commercial, research, and defense segments in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America are most impacted due to reliance on high-precision imported equipment. Positive effects include growth of local manufacturing, regional sourcing of components, and investment in R&D for advanced hydrographic technologies.
The hydrographic survey equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides hydrographic survey equipment market statistics, including hydrographic survey equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hydrographic survey equipment market share, detailed hydrographic survey equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hydrographic survey equipment industry. This hydrographic survey equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
Hydrographic survey equipment refers to the combination of software and hardware solutions designed to gather essential data for creating charts related to water depth, topography, tide measurements, and other underwater physical features. These charts are crucial for providing navigational information on the water surface.
The main categories of hydrographic survey equipment include sensing systems, positioning systems, optical systems, profilers, software, and other types. Sensing systems involve the use of technologies such as radar, video, sound, or infrared technology to detect the presence of objects or individuals. These systems are measured by the placement of a 12-inch high by 12-inch diameter cylinder within a minimum area. Various platforms for hydrographic survey equipment include surface vessels, Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV), and aircraft, covering depths from shallow water to deep water. Applications for this equipment include port and harbor management, offshore oil and gas surveys, cable or pipeline route surveys, hydrographic or bathymetry surveys, among others. The end-users of hydrographic survey equipment span commercial, research, and defense sectors.Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the hydrographic survey equipment market in 2025. The regions covered in the hydrographic survey equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the hydrographic survey equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The hydrographic survey equipment market consists of multibeam echo sounders (MBES), side scan sonar, laser scanners, sound speed profilers, sound velocity profilers, portable tide gauges, radar level sensors, interferometric sonar systems, and other hydrographic survey equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
The hydrographic survey equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.47 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in autonomous hydrographic vessels, rising adoption of real-time positioning and sensing systems, expansion in advanced sonar and optical systems, growth in hydrographic software solutions, increase in unmanned survey platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of AI-based hydrographic mapping, deployment of IoT-enabled survey platforms, adoption of real-time data processing software, implementation of autonomous survey vessels, expansion of multibeam and single beam sonar systems.
The growing volume of global trade and shipping is expected to drive the expansion of the hydrographic survey equipment market in the coming years. Shipping trade involves the transportation of cargo, particularly via ships, enabling the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods manufactured, grown, or mined in one country to another. Hydrographic survey equipment is vital for producing accurate nautical charts and ensuring the safety of marine operations. Its use in shipping is essential for safeguarding vessels and their cargo. For example, in October 2025, the World Trade Organization, a Switzerland-based intergovernmental body that regulates and facilitates international trade, reported that in 2024, global trade in goods and commercial services grew by 4% to reach US$32.2 trillion. Trade in goods increased by 2%, while services grew by 10%, surpassing the growth recorded in 2023. Consequently, the rise in global trade and shipping is propelling the growth of the hydrographic survey equipment market.
Major players in the hydrographic survey equipment market are introducing innovative solutions, including fully electric survey vessels. These vessels operate on electricity rather than traditional fossil fuels, offering a more environmentally friendly option with reduced emissions and noise pollution. The Port of London Authority (PLA) unveiled a fully electric remotely operated survey vessel in collaboration with the University College of London (UCL) in May 2023. Equipped with innovative sonar and scanning systems, the vessel ensures precise data gathering for navigation, safety, and maintenance, particularly in situations where traditional survey vessels may not be suitable.
In March 2024, Teledyne Technologies, a U.S.-based provider of marine instrumentation and sensing systems, acquired Valeport Holdings Limited for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition strengthens Teledyne’s hydrographic and oceanographic measurement capabilities by integrating Valeport’s advanced underwater sensors and profiling instruments into its marine portfolio. Valeport Holdings Limited, based in the UK, specializes in precision hydrographic and oceanographic instruments for underwater surveying and environmental monitoring.
Major companies operating in the hydrographic survey equipment market are Kongsberg Maritime, Teledyne Technologies, Innomar Technologie GmbH, Sonardyne International, iXblue SAS, SyQwest Inc., EdgeTech, Tritech International Ltd., Valeport Ltd., R2Sonic LLC, Klein Marine Systems, AML Oceanographic, Chesapeake Technology, Inc., Saab AB, Seafloor Systems, Inc., GeoAcoustics Ltd., Imagenex Technology Corp., Ohmex Instruments, Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik, LinkQuest Inc.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are affecting the hydrographic survey equipment market by increasing costs of imported sonar systems, positioning units, and survey software. Commercial, research, and defense segments in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America are most impacted due to reliance on high-precision imported equipment. Positive effects include growth of local manufacturing, regional sourcing of components, and investment in R&D for advanced hydrographic technologies.
The hydrographic survey equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides hydrographic survey equipment market statistics, including hydrographic survey equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hydrographic survey equipment market share, detailed hydrographic survey equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hydrographic survey equipment industry. This hydrographic survey equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
Hydrographic survey equipment refers to the combination of software and hardware solutions designed to gather essential data for creating charts related to water depth, topography, tide measurements, and other underwater physical features. These charts are crucial for providing navigational information on the water surface.
The main categories of hydrographic survey equipment include sensing systems, positioning systems, optical systems, profilers, software, and other types. Sensing systems involve the use of technologies such as radar, video, sound, or infrared technology to detect the presence of objects or individuals. These systems are measured by the placement of a 12-inch high by 12-inch diameter cylinder within a minimum area. Various platforms for hydrographic survey equipment include surface vessels, Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV), and aircraft, covering depths from shallow water to deep water. Applications for this equipment include port and harbor management, offshore oil and gas surveys, cable or pipeline route surveys, hydrographic or bathymetry surveys, among others. The end-users of hydrographic survey equipment span commercial, research, and defense sectors.Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the hydrographic survey equipment market in 2025. The regions covered in the hydrographic survey equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the hydrographic survey equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The hydrographic survey equipment market consists of multibeam echo sounders (MBES), side scan sonar, laser scanners, sound speed profilers, sound velocity profilers, portable tide gauges, radar level sensors, interferometric sonar systems, and other hydrographic survey equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Characteristics
3. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Supply Chain Analysis
4. Global Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Trends and Strategies
5. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Analysis of End Use Industries
7. Global Hydrographic Survey Equipment Strategic Analysis Framework, Current Market Size, Market Comparisons and Growth Rate Analysis
8. Global Hydrographic Survey Equipment Total Addressable Market (TAM) Analysis for the Market
9. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Segmentation
10. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Regional and Country Analysis
11. Asia-Pacific Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
12. China Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
13. India Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
14. Japan Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
15. Australia Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
16. Indonesia Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
17. South Korea Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
18. Taiwan Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
19. South East Asia Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
20. Western Europe Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
21. UK Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
22. Germany Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
23. France Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
24. Italy Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
25. Spain Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
26. Eastern Europe Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
27. Russia Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
28. North America Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
29. USA Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
30. Canada Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
31. South America Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
32. Brazil Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
33. Middle East Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
34. Africa Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market
36. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles
37. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Other Major and Innovative Companies
40. Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies
41. Appendix
Executive Summary
Hydrographic Survey Equipment Market Global Report 2026 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses hydrographic survey equipment market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Description
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for hydrographic survey equipment? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The hydrographic survey equipment market global report answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.
- The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
- The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
- The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
- The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
- The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
- The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
- The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
- Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
- The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
- Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
- The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
- The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.
Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By Type: Sensing Systems; Positioning Systems; Optical System; Profilers; Software; Other Types2) By Platform: Surface Vessels; USV And UUV; Aircraft
3) By Depth: Shallow Water; Deep Water
4) By Application: Port And Harbor Management; Offshore Oil And Gas Survey; Cable Or Pipeline Route Survey; Hydrographic Or Bathymetry Survey; Other Applications
5) By End User: Commercial; Research; Defense
Subsegments:
1) By Sensing Systems: Echo Sounders; Multibeam Sonar Systems; Single Beam Sonar Systems2) By Positioning Systems: GPS Systems; GNSS Receivers; Inertial Navigation Systems
3) By Optical Systems: Underwater Cameras; Laser Scanning Systems
4) By Profilers: Water Quality Profilers; CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) Profilers
5) By Software: Hydrographic Data Processing Software; GIS Software For Hydrographic Surveys
6) By Other Types: Survey Boats And Platforms; Drones And UAVs For Hydrographic Surveys
Companies Mentioned: Kongsberg Maritime; Teledyne Technologies; Innomar Technologie GmbH; Sonardyne International; iXblue SAS; SyQwest Inc.; EdgeTech; Tritech International Ltd.; Valeport Ltd.; R2Sonic LLC; Klein Marine Systems; AML Oceanographic; Chesapeake Technology, Inc.; Saab AB; Seafloor Systems, Inc.; GeoAcoustics Ltd.; Imagenex Technology Corp.; Ohmex Instruments; Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik; LinkQuest Inc.
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.
Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report + Excel Dashboard
Added Benefits:
- Bi-Annual Data Update
- Customisation
- Expert Consultant Support
Companies Mentioned
The companies featured in this Hydrographic Survey Equipment market report include:- Kongsberg Maritime
- Teledyne Technologies
- Innomar Technologie GmbH
- Sonardyne International
- iXblue SAS
- SyQwest Inc.
- EdgeTech
- Tritech International Ltd.
- Valeport Ltd.
- R2Sonic LLC
- Klein Marine Systems
- AML Oceanographic
- Chesapeake Technology, Inc.
- Saab AB
- Seafloor Systems, Inc.
- GeoAcoustics Ltd.
- Imagenex Technology Corp.
- Ohmex Instruments
- Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik
- LinkQuest Inc.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 250 |
| Published | January 2026 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 - 2030 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 3.44 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 4.47 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 6.8% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 21 |
