Marine Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio and Automatic Identification System (AIS) Market Report 2026

The marine very high frequency (vhf) radio and automatic identification system (ais) market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $0.5 billion in 2025 to $0.53 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased adoption of maritime safety regulations, growth in global shipping traffic, advancements in VHF radio technology, implementation of mandatory AIS carriage on vessels, expansion of coastal and port communication infrastructure.

The marine very high frequency (vhf) radio and automatic identification system (ais) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $0.69 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for real-time vessel tracking solutions, integration of VHF and ais with digital maritime platforms, growth in emergency and distress communication systems, increasing investments in smart port infrastructure, technological upgrades in marine communication hardware. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of vhf and ais with advanced vessel tracking and fleet management systems, growing adoption of digital selective calling (dsc) and gps-enabled radios, enhanced collision avoidance and navigational safety features for commercial shipping, expansion of recreational and fishing vessel communication solutions, increasing adoption of software-enabled ais systems for real-time maritime analytics.

The expansion of the marine very high frequency (VHF) radio and automatic identification system (AIS) market is expected to be driven by the growth of shipping and maritime trade. Shipping and maritime trade involve the global transportation of goods, raw materials, and commodities through sea routes using commercial vessels, which supports international trade and economic development. The rise in shipping and maritime trade is attributed to the growing demand for raw materials and consumer products, along with the increase in international commerce. As global economies expand, the need for transporting goods across borders grows, which in turn increases the demand for more efficient and reliable shipping services. This growth in shipping traffic boosts the need for marine VHF radios and AIS solutions that ensure safe navigation, effective communication, and regulatory compliance. For example, in 2023, global maritime trade grew by 2.4%, reaching 12.3 billion tons, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The sector is expected to continue expanding by 2% in 2024 and maintain an average annual growth rate of 2.4% until 2029. Thus, the expansion of shipping and maritime trade is a key driver of the marine VHF radio and AIS market.

Key players in the marine VHF radio and AIS market are focused on developing advanced products, such as fixed-mount marine VHF radios, to improve communication reliability and meet evolving maritime regulations. A fixed-mount marine VHF radio is a communication system installed on a vessel that provides reliable short-range voice contact with other ships, shore stations, and emergency services. For instance, in November 2024, Icom Incorporated, a UK-based company specializing in radio communication equipment, introduced the IC-M510 EVO, an upgraded version of its previous IC-M510 model. This new model features built-in NMEA 2000 connectivity, a 25W two-way hailer/RX hailer, and smartphone control through WLAN. It also includes Class-D DSC for enhanced maritime communication and safety, making it suitable for pleasure boats, fishing vessels, and rescue operations, with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

In March 2024, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, a Nigeria-based provider of maritime safety, regulatory, and digitalization services, partnered with Sternula to enhance maritime safety and connectivity through digital innovation. The collaboration aims to improve vessel communication and maritime safety in Nigerian waters by leveraging Sternula’s VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) and AIS 2 technology. Sternula is a Denmark-based company specializing in micro-satellite platforms and two-way VHF/VDES maritime communication solutions.

Major companies operating in the marine very high frequency (vhf) radio and automatic identification system (ais) market are Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Garmin Ltd., Japan Radio Co. Ltd., Uniden America Corporation, Icom Incorporated, Cobham Satcom, Raymarine Ltd., Cobra Electronics Corporation, Jotron AS, Seas of Solutions, Simrad, ComNav Marine Ltd., ACR Electronics Inc., Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd., Midland Europe Srl, Navico Group, B&G Sailing Electronics, Lowrance, Si-Tex Marine Electronics, Standard Communications Pty Ltd., Entel Group Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the marine very high frequency (VHF) radio and automatic identification system (AIS) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the marine very high frequency (vhf) radio and automatic identification system (ais) 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 electronic components, antennas, and communication modules have increased manufacturing costs for marine VHF radios and AIS systems, particularly affecting commercial shipping and recreational boating segments. Regions like Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, which rely on imported components, are most impacted. Tariffs are encouraging manufacturers to invest in local production, optimize supply chains, and innovate software-based AIS solutions, potentially enhancing domestic capabilities and reducing dependency on imports.

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

Marine very high frequency (VHF) radio and automatic identification system (AIS) are critical maritime communication and navigation systems that facilitate ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and emergency communication, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Marine VHF radio operates within the very high frequency (VHF) band, typically between 156 MHz and 174 MHz, and is used for voice communication between vessels, between ships and coastal stations, and for distress signaling. The automatic identification system (AIS) is a tracking system that enables ships and vessels to automatically transmit and receive real-time data regarding their position, course, speed, and other navigational information to prevent collisions and enhance maritime safety.

The primary product types of marine VHF radio and AIS include marine very high frequency (VHF) radio and automatic identification systems. Marine VHF radios provide reliable short-range communication for vessels, improving maritime safety and situational awareness. These systems consist of various components such as microphones and speakers, antennas, displays and screens, transmitters and receivers, and software systems. They are utilized in multiple applications, including commercial shipping, recreational boating, fishing vessels, navigation and traffic management, collision avoidance, and fleet monitoring and tracking.

The countries covered in the marine very high frequency (vhf) radio and automatic identification system (ais) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The marine very high frequency (VHF) radio and automatic identification system (AIS) market consists of sales of weather alerts, vessel tracking, and traffic management. 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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