Marine and Ports Construction Market Report 2026

The marine and ports construction market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $68.41 billion in 2025 to $72.08 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in global trade activities, expansion of coastal and port infrastructure, reliance on traditional marine construction methods, increasing demand for dredging and channel deepening, rising need for seawall and breakwater construction.

The marine and ports construction market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $97.03 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing focus on climate-resilient port infrastructure, rising investment in automated and smart port systems, expansion of inland and intermodal port facilities, increasing adoption of durable marine construction materials, development of new deep-water port projects. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of coastal protection and resilience infrastructure, increasing demand for port capacity upgrades, growth in dredging and deep-water channel development, rising investment in wharf, jetty, and terminal modernization, greater emphasis on high-durability marine construction materials.

The anticipated upsurge in maritime trade is poised to drive the expansion of the marine and port construction markets in the foreseeable future. Maritime trade, involving the international transportation of goods between countries, is a cost-effective and efficient method for global cargo movement. Ports, critical maritime constructions situated near bodies of water, serve as hubs for loading and unloading ships, facilitating the exchange of goods and passengers. The demand for marine and port constructions is intrinsically linked to the rise in maritime trade activities, as they play a pivotal role in supporting the logistics of loading and unloading cargo from ships. For example, in October 2024, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization, reported that maritime trade volumes increased by 2.4% in 2023, reaching 12.29 billion tons, rebounding from a decline recorded in 2022. The surge in maritime trade activities, particularly in Asia, is a key driver propelling the growth of marine and port construction markets.

Companies operating in the marine and port construction sector are actively addressing environmental concerns by developing zero-carbon port terminals. An illustrative case is COSCO Shipping Ports in China, which launched a zero-carbon port terminal in Tianjin powered by wind and photovoltaic energy. This innovative approach results in zero carbon emissions in both energy consumption and production, contributing to sustainable port operations. Companies in the marine and port construction sector are increasingly prioritizing the development of zero-carbon port terminals to minimize carbon emissions. For instance, in December 2023, APM Terminals, a shipping company based in the Netherlands, partnered with UAE-based logistics company DP World to launch the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) at COP28. This initiative aims to expedite the adoption of battery-electric container handling equipment (BE-CHE) in ports by emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and interoperability. Key features of the alliance include enhancing production capacity to lower costs, reducing expenses associated with batteries and charging solutions, preparing terminal operators and grid infrastructure for the transition, and improving conditions for zero-emission fleets. By promoting collaboration within the port ecosystem, ZEPA aims to make BE-CHE competitive with diesel alternatives within 2 to 8 years, driving substantial decarbonization within the industry.

In January 2023, Kiewit Corporation, a US-based construction firm, acquired Weeks Marine, Inc. for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition allows Kiewit to enhance its presence in the marine construction sector, expand its dredging and coastal restoration capabilities, and strengthen its portfolio of heavy civil and marine infrastructure projects across North America. Weeks Marine, Inc. is a US-based provider of marine construction services.

Major companies operating in the marine and ports construction market are China Communications Construction Co Ltd, Grupo ACS, China State Construction Engineering Construction Co Ltd, Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co Ltd, Strabag SE, DEME Group, Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Limited, Boskalis, Bechtel Corporation, McCarthy Building Companies Inc, China Merchants Group, Keller, TAMS Group, SMC Marine, Coastwide Civil, Geomarine, Teo Marine Limited, Vinci Construction Maritime et Fluvial, Heerema Marine Contractors, Dredging International, Budimex SA, Hydrobudowa Polska SA, AECOM, Midcoast Construction Enterp, Manson Construction Co, Construcciones Industriales Tapia, PCL Construction, Ballard Marine Construction, CMC SUBSEA, Orion Marine Group, Wilson Sons, Naval Martins, Santos Brasil.

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 on steel, concrete, dredging equipment, and marine-grade construction materials have elevated project costs and slowed development timelines across the marine and ports construction market. Sea ports, inland ports, dredging projects, and breakwater construction activities in regions dependent on imported structural componentsparticularly Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North Americaface budget escalation and supply disruptions. Both old port upgrades and new port construction experience procurement delays. However, tariffs are driving increased domestic manufacturing of marine materials, incentivizing local contractor participation, and encouraging innovation in cost-efficient and resilient port infrastructure.

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

Marine and port construction involves the development of structures near bodies of water, such as oceans, rivers, ports, and harbors. This encompasses the construction of various facilities such as piers, wharves, and seawalls that are utilized for the loading and unloading of cargo and passengers from ships.

The main types of marine and port construction include sea ports, inland ports, and other variations. A sea port serves as a harbor or port on a seacoast, river, or other navigable body of water, providing a docking location for ships and boats to load or unload cargo, passengers, or fuel. Different construction types include terminals, equipment installations, and others. The various product types encompass old port upgrades and new port construction, applied to activities such as dredging, breakwater construction, wharf or jetty construction, docks, berths, terminals, and other related structures.North America was the largest region in the marine and port construction market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the marine and ports construction market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the marine and ports construction market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The marine and port construction market includes revenues earned by entities by constructing jetties, quays, bulkheads, and breakwaters. The market includes new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

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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