Voyage Data Recorder Market Report 2026

The voyage data recorder market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.55 billion in 2025 to $2.74 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in global maritime trade, reliance on manual incident documentation, increased installation of traditional vdr systems, expansion of safety regulations for ships, development of early digital recording equipment.

The voyage data recorder market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.72 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for advanced marine safety systems, rising adoption of cloud-based maritime monitoring, expansion of automated vessel data integration, rising regulatory requirements for improved incident tracking, development of long-duration data storage technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of smart maritime monitoring systems, development of AI-enhanced incident recording solutions, expansion of IoT-driven vessel data management, advancement of automated vdr diagnostic technologies, adoption of cloud-connected voyage analytics platforms.

The anticipated growth of the voyage data recorder market is driven by the escalating number of maritime accidents. Maritime accidents, defined as incidents causing damage to vessels or related structures, prompt the need for thorough investigation. Voyage data recorders (VDRs) play a crucial role in such investigations by providing a recorded account of procedures and instructions leading up to the incident. For instance, in December 2024, according to the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), a UK-based non-profit organization, a total of 2,676 marine casualties and incidents were reported in 2023, reflecting an increase of 49 cases compared to 2022, highlighting the importance of VDRs in addressing maritime accidents.

Major companies operating in the voyage data recorder market are focusing on adopting innovative solutions such as software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms to enable remote testing, monitoring, and compliance management. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions are cloud-based applications accessed via the internet without local installation, allowing users to perform tasks, monitor systems, and manage compliance remotely and efficiently. For example, in September 2024, Danelec Marine A/S, a Denmark-based maritime technology company, launched the Remote OPT service as part of its “Safety Insights” suite, providing browser-based access to initiate and complete tests, monitor VDR alarms, and maintain regulatory compliance effectively. The solution enhances fleet safety and operational continuity by reducing potential VDR downtime, supporting regulatory adherence, streamlining workflows, and minimizing the risk of human error.

In November 2023, Danelec, a Denmark-based marine technology company, acquired MacGregor’s Voyage Data Recorder business for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to strengthen Danelec's position in the VDR market by enhancing its product offerings and expanding its technological capabilities in maritime data recording. MacGregor is a Singapore-based company that provides engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargo and offshore loads.

Major companies operating in the voyage data recorder market are Danelec Marine A/S, Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Japan Radio Co. Ltd., Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine B.V., Netwave Systems B.V, Interschalt Maritime Systems, Consilium AB Publ., Wärtsilä SAM Electronics, Kongsberg Maritime, Beijing Highlander Technology Co. Ltd., Raytheon Anschutz GmbH, Kelvin Hughes Limited, Maretron LLP, Navis LLC, Totem Plus Ltd., AMI Marine Limited, Hatteland Display AS, Headway Technology Co. Ltd., Jotron AS, Kongsberg Norcontrol AS, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Maris (UK) Ltd., Martek Marine Ltd., Nauticast GmbH, Radio Holland Group, Rutter Inc., Transas Marine International AB.

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 have impacted the voyage data recorder market by increasing the cost of imported sensors, data storage units, communication modules, and ruggedized marine components essential for VDR and S-VDR manufacturing. Passenger, cargo, and naval segments in North America and Europe face heightened cost pressures due to dependence on global electronics supply chains. However, tariffs are also promoting localized marine electronics production, encouraging domestic sourcing of durable components, and fostering innovation in cost-efficiency and reliability for next-generation maritime safety systems.

The voyage data recorder market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides voyage data recorder market statistics, including voyage data recorder industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a voyage data recorder market share, detailed voyage data recorder market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the voyage data recorder industry. This voyage data recorder 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.

A voyage data recorder (VDR) or a simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) is a device designed to record and securely store information related to the position, movement, physical status, command, and control of a vessel. This recorded data can be retrieved for analysis and serves as a crucial tool in understanding events leading up to and following an incident, aiding subsequent investigations in determining the cause(s) of the occurrence.

Voyage data recorders come in two main types float voyage data recorders and fixed voyage data recorders. The float voyage data recorder comprises a tamper-proof storage unit and a floating unit that can be recovered. The system types encompass both simplified voyage data recorders and full voyage data recorders, each offering various specialties such as teleradiology, telecardiology, telepathology, emergency care, among others. These recorders are delivered through different modes, including cloud-based and on-premises solutions, and find applications across various vessels such as passenger ships, cargo ships, naval ships, and others.Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the voyage data recorder market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global voyage data recorder market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the voyage data recorder market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the voyage data recorder market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The voyage data recorder market consists of sales of simplified voyage data recorder and general voyage data recorders. 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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