Autonomous Boats Market Report 2026

The autonomous boats market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.34 billion in 2025 to $1.42 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to defense unmanned vessel programs, maritime surveillance demand, early adoption in research vessels, sensor technology improvements, naval automation initiatives.

The autonomous boats market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.87 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to commercial autonomous shipping trials, ai software maturity, cost reduction in sensors, regulatory framework development, demand for crewless operations. Major trends in the forecast period include advancement in autonomous navigation algorithms, integration of AI-based collision avoidance, expansion of remote vessel monitoring, growth of unmanned surface vehicles, adoption in survey and research operations.

The rising demand for cargo transportation via waterways is expected to drive growth in the autonomous boats market. Cargo transportation involves the movement of bulk goods by water, air, or land. Water-based transportation is valued for its safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, which has led to increased demand for shipping goods through ports and waterways, thereby creating opportunities for autonomous boats. For example, in January 2025, the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that goods exports to the United States totaled $80.4 billion (£60.4 billion), making it the UK’s largest export destination and accounting for 15.3% of all goods shipped abroad. Therefore, the growing need for marine cargo transport is fueling the autonomous boats market.

Leading companies in the autonomous boat market are focusing on the development of solar-powered autonomous boats to improve energy efficiency, lower operational costs, reduce environmental impact, and address the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly marine transportation solutions. A solar-powered autonomous boat is a vessel that operates independently without human intervention and is equipped with solar panels that harness sunlight as its primary energy source. For example, in February 2024, Clearbot.org, a Hong Kong-based company, launched solar-powered autonomous boats integrated with AI technology. Each boat can collect approximately 500 kg of plastic waste and debris, which is double the capacity of Clearbot's current models, and can gather up to 250 kg per day. By utilizing solar energy, Clearbot's boats produce zero carbon emissions, significantly minimizing their environmental impact compared to traditional diesel-powered vessels.

In May 2023, ITOCHU Corporation, a Japan-based company, acquired American Hydro from Wärtsilä Corporation for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows ITOCHU to expand its portfolio by leveraging Wärtsilä's expertise in the field of autonomous boats. Wärtsilä Corporation is a Finland-based company that specializes in offering autonomous boats.

Major companies operating in the autonomous boats market report include ABB Ltd., BAE Systems, Honeywell International Inc., Kongsberg Maritime, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Northrop Grumman, Rolls-Royce Plc., Wärtsilä Oyj Abp, Aselsan A.S., Fugro N.V., Ulstein Group ASA, Sea Machines Robotics Inc., Shone Automation Inc., Buffalo Automation Inc., Ladon Robotics, Unleash Future Boats, Rekise Marine Pvt. Ltd., iXblue Photonics SAS, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., DNV GL, Neptec Technologies Corp., Marine Technologies LLC.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the autonomous boats market in 2025. The regions covered in the autonomous boats market report include Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the autonomous boats market report include Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The autonomous boats market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing autonomous container ships and maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The autonomous boats market also includes sales of software programs that are used to provide autonomous boat services. 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.

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