Ship Bridge Simulators Global Market Report 2025

The ship bridge simulators market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $2.17 billion in 2024 to $2.27 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increase maritime tourism, increase in the number of maritime training centers, training on sustainable maritime practices, growth in e-learning platforms, and growth in shipbuilding activities.

The ship bridge simulators market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.8 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to focus on cybersecurity, focusing on sustainable, energy-efficient operations, combination of virtual and physical training methods and development of autonomous ships. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of digital twin technology, advanced simulators integrate with IoT, integration with real ship systems, modular and customizable solutions, and advancements in graphics technology.

The forecast of 5.3% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.8% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for hydrodynamic modeling software, sourced from key regions such as Norway, the UK, and the Netherlands, which could impair maritime training programs.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth of the shipping industry is expected to drive the expansion of the ship bridge simulators market. The shipping industry, also known as maritime transport, is a global network that facilitates the movement of goods and commodities by sea. Its growth is driven by the need for efficient and cost-effective transportation of large quantities of goods and raw materials across oceans, supporting international trade and commerce. Ship bridge simulators play a crucial role in enhancing safety, efficiency, and skill development within the shipping industry by offering realistic training environments for practicing navigation, emergency response, and operational procedures without the risks associated with real-world situations. For example, according to *The Review of Maritime Transport 2024*, published by UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, global maritime trade grew by 2.4% in 2023, reaching 12.3 billion tons, following a decline in 2022. The sector is projected to grow by 2% in 2024 and maintain an average annual growth rate of 2.4% through 2029. As a result, the expansion of the shipping industry is fueling the growth of the ship bridge simulator market.

Leading companies in the ship bridge simulators sector are creating sophisticated simulation solutions to boost training realism and operational efficiency while ensuring adherence to maritime regulations. These advanced solutions comprise software and hardware systems designed to mimic real-world situations in a controlled setting for training, testing, or operational use. For instance, VSTEP, a software development company from the Netherlands, introduced NAUTIS Home in December 2022. This simulator features a user-friendly interface with a single screen that integrates sailing, chart, radar, conning, and on-screen controls, which can be expanded to an external monitor for a larger display. NAUTIS Home provides a realistic, immersive 3D ship simulation experience, enabling users to practice skills such as mooring and anchoring on virtual vessels. It is accessible from any location, offering convenience for users to train and sail wherever they choose. This simulator is designed for both professional and personal use, serving maritime professionals, students, hobbyists, and organizations looking for easy-to-access training solutions.

In June 2024, Hoegh Autoliners, a Norwegian shipping and logistics company, purchased Kongsberg bridge and engine simulators. The acquisition included a K-Sim Navigation simulator tailored to replicate the Aurora Class vessels, enabling crew members to gain practical experience with Kongsberg Maritime's bridge systems. This investment in simulation technology aligns with Hoegh Autoliners' commitment to spearheading the green shift in maritime transportation. It aims to enhance crew competencies in efficiently and sustainably operating the new Aurora Class vessels. Kongsberg Digital, based in Norway, specializes in developing advanced ship bridge simulators for maritime education, training, and research.

A ship bridge simulator is an advanced training tool that replicates the ship's bridge, enabling maritime professionals to practice navigation, maneuvering, and decision-making in a virtual setting. It employs sophisticated software and hardware to simulate real-world conditions effectively. This simulator plays a crucial role in skill enhancement, safety assurance, and operational efficiency improvement at sea.

There are two main types of ship bridge simulators interactive and non-interactive. Interactive ship bridge simulators are sophisticated tools that realistically simulate ship bridge operations in an interactive environment. They offer various training solutions tailored to different organizational sizes, including live training, professional training, constructive training, virtual training, system training, and game simulation training for both marine and educational sectors.

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.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The ship bridge simulators market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides ship bridge simulators market statistics, including the ship bridge simulators industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with ship bridge simulators market share, detailed ship bridge simulators market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ship bridge simulators industry. These ship bridge simulators market research reports deliver a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major companies operating in the ship bridge simulators market are General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH, Wärtsilä Corporation, Kongsberg Gruppen, FORCE Technology, Synergy Marine Group, ARI Simulation, Adacel Technologies Limited, Aboa Mare AB, ST Engineering Antycip, ARI (Applied Research International), Virtual Marine Inc., SeaSkills Maritime Academy, PC Maritime Ltd, VSTEP BV, Image Soft Inc., Cal-Tek Srl, Japan Marine Science Inc., SSPA Sweden AB, Pivot Maritime International, Simwave B.V., AMC Search Ltd., Coral Nautical Ventures LLP, NAUDEQ, Presagis Canada Inc, SIPORT XXI SL.

North America was the largest region in the ship bridge simulators market in 2024. The regions covered in the ship bridge simulators market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the ship bridge simulators market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The ship bridge simulators market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as simulation-based training, consulting, and support services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The ship bridge simulator market also includes sales of radar systems and navigation displays, and integrated control panels. 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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