Maritime Simulators Market Report 2026

The maritime simulators market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.78 billion in 2025 to $1.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing global maritime traffic and demand for skilled personnel, regulatory mandates for maritime safety and crew certification, advancements in simulation technologies such as high-fidelity visual and motion systems, rising adoption of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in maritime training, growing investment by shipping companies and maritime academies in crew training infrastructure.

The maritime simulators market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.42 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of autonomous and smart ship technologies driving simulator requirements, integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for predictive training, rising emphasis on environmental compliance and emission reduction in maritime operations, increasing demand for remote and cloud-based maritime simulation solutions, growth in emerging markets with expanding maritime trade and training infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of vr and ar for immersive maritime training, growth in cloud-based simulator platforms for remote access, customization of simulators for specific vessel types and operations, increased adoption of simulation-based certification and compliance programs, expansion of maritime simulator training for offshore oil & gas and rov operations.

The growing emphasis on maritime safety is expected to drive the growth of the maritime simulators market. The heightened focus on maritime safety stems from the need to reduce accidents, protect lives, prevent environmental harm, and comply with strict international safety standards. Maritime incidents can result in significant financial losses and environmental damage. Simulators allow for risk-free training in emergency situations, enhancing crew readiness and reducing the potential for human error. For example, in 2023, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), a US-based nonprofit organization that provides maritime education, legal advocacy, and welfare services for seafarers, reported a 13% increase in mariner training activities compared to the previous year, reflecting the growing priority placed on safety and skill development. Therefore, the increasing focus on maritime safety is contributing to the expansion of the maritime simulators market.

Leading companies in the maritime simulators market are developing advanced ship-handling simulation platforms that incorporate real-time, voyage-specific optimization to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. This optimization involves dynamically adjusting operational settings during a voyage based on real-time data, such as weather conditions, cargo status, and route modifications, to improve overall performance. For instance, in August 2024, Danelec Electronics A/S, a Denmark-based maritime technology company, introduced a simulation tool designed to facilitate collaboration between LNG carrier commercial and operations teams. This platform addresses key challenges such as balancing charter party requirements, cargo conditions, and voyage planning in the face of weather and route uncertainties. By simulating vessel performance and optimizing operational settings for specific routes and forecasted conditions, it enables real-time adjustments to improve efficiency. Operators can achieve fuel savings of over 100 metric tons of LNG per voyage, equating to approximately $360,000 in annual savings per vessel. Additionally, the tool enhances performance tracking, enables early issue detection, and ensures compliance with charter agreements.

In November 2023, Danelec Electronics A/S acquired Nautilus Labs Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Danelec’s capabilities by integrating Nautilus Labs’ AI-powered platform for vessel optimization, fleet performance monitoring, and digital transformation, further advancing maritime safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Nautilus Labs Inc. is a US-based maritime technology company specializing in maritime simulators, sustainability solutions, and safety enhancements within the ocean supply chain.

Major companies operating in the maritime simulators market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems Plc, Thales Group, L3 Harris Technology, Rheinmetall AG, Wartsila Oyj Abp, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Kongsberg Maritime AS (KM), CAE Inc., FORCE Technology, Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., RH Marine Group, STORM SIM GEO LLC, GSE Systems, Applied Research International Simulation, Virtual Marine Technology Incorporated, Poseidon Simulation, Cruden, PC Maritime, Marine Learning Systems, Oceanus Marine Solutions, VSTEP Simulation, Imagesoft Pty Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the maritime simulators market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the maritime simulators market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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 imported hardware components, visual displays, motion platforms, and VR/AR devices have increased costs and slowed production timelines for maritime simulators, particularly affecting ship bridge and ROV simulator segments in Europe and North America. Software and service components face minimal impact due to localized development. However, tariffs are driving investments in domestic manufacturing and local supply chain development, fostering regional technological capabilities and reducing long-term dependency on imports.

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

Maritime simulators are advanced technologies designed to replicate various aspects of maritime operations, including navigation, ship handling, and emergency response. These simulators provide a realistic and interactive training environment, enhancing skill development and ultimately improving safety, efficiency, and overall performance within the global maritime industry.

The primary types of maritime simulators include ship bridge simulators, engine room simulators, cargo handling simulators, communication or Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) simulators, and remotely operated vehicle simulators. Ship bridge simulators recreate the navigation and control environment of a ship’s bridge, integrating systems such as radar, communication tools, and engine controls. This comprehensive training setup allows maritime professionals to practice ship handling and decision-making in realistic maritime conditions. The components of these simulators are divided into hardware, software, and services, which are utilized in applications such as maritime schools, training centers, shipping companies, port authorities, oil and gas companies, governmental authorities, navies, coast guards, and others. The end users include civilian, commercial, military, and defense sectors.

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

The maritime simulators market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as training and certification services, customization and integration services, maintenance and support services, and consultation and development services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The maritime simulators market also includes sales of simulation stations, visual displays, motion platforms, sound systems, sensors & controls, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) devices. 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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