Marine Autopilot System Global Market Report 2025

The marine autopilot system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.36 billion in 2024 to $2.54 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand from maritime transportation, increasing adoption of automation, rising global maritime trade and logistics demand, expansion of international trade, and growing recreational boating sector.

The marine autopilot system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.4 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of autonomous and unmanned vessels, a growing emphasis on stringent maritime safety regulations, a rising need for efficient marine operation and safety, increasing adoption of autopilot systems for recreational vessels, and increasing focus on fuel efficiency and cost optimization. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements, integration of AI and IoT technologies, integration of real-time data processing, development of hybrid and fully autonomous ships, and integration of sustainable and energy-efficient autopilot systems.

The forecast of 7.6% growth over the next five years indicates a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection for this market.This marginal decrease is influenced by ongoing tariff-related uncertainties between the U.S. and its trade partners.This is likely to directly affect the US through tariffs on gyro-stabilized compasses from Germany and Norway, increasing costs for commercial and naval vessels.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 growing global demand for maritime trade and logistics is expected to drive the expansion of the marine autopilot system market. Maritime trade and logistics involve the transportation, handling, and management of goods and resources via sea routes, ports, and associated supply chain networks. This demand is increasing due to the expansion of global supply chains, the growth of e-commerce, and rising international trade volumes. Autopilot systems are essential in maritime trade and logistics, as they enhance efficiency, reduce costs, improve safety, and enable more effective management of global shipping operations. As maritime trade continues to grow, the role of autopilot systems in optimizing vessel performance and supporting supply chain expansion will remain crucial. For instance, in July 2024, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that global maritime trade volumes reached 12.29 billion tons in 2023, reflecting a 2.4% growth compared to 2022. This surge in global maritime trade and logistics is fueling the growth of the marine autopilot system market.

Companies in the marine autopilot system market are focusing on developing advanced technologies, such as fuel-saving algorithms, to improve navigation efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support sustainability initiatives. These algorithms optimize vessel steering and navigation to minimize fuel consumption while enhancing operational efficiency. For example, in January 2023, Raytheon Anschütz GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of marine navigation systems, launched the NautoPilot 5000NX. This new autopilot features fuel-saving capabilities, including economy mode to reduce rudder activity, course control mode to minimize drift, and a heading and rudder plot to optimize performance. The system, built on standardized hardware, also supports modern ethernet communication and displays navigational data on a 7-inch touchscreen.

In January 2024, Brookes and Gatehouse (B&G), a UK-based marine electronics company, partnered with Pixel sur Mer to develop advanced autopilot systems for offshore sailing. This collaboration integrates Pixel sur Mer's navigation and performance monitoring solutions into B&G's autopilot systems, providing users with a more efficient and seamless experience. Pixel sur Mer, a France-based company, specializes in navigation and performance monitoring solutions for marine applications.

A marine autopilot system is an automated navigation system designed for ships, boats, and other marine vessels to manage steering and direction without direct human input. It maintains a predetermined course or heading by automatically adjusting the rudder or steering mechanisms, ensuring the vessel stays on track. Marine autopilot systems enhance navigation accuracy, reduce crew workload, and are essential for long-distance voyages, especially in challenging or repetitive sailing conditions.

The primary types of marine autopilot systems include full-function autopilot, heading autopilot, and course autopilot. A full-function autopilot is a comprehensive system that autonomously controls a vessel's steering for precise and efficient navigation. These systems consist of both hardware and software components and are distributed through various channels, including online and offline markets. Marine autopilot systems are widely used in different applications, such as commercial vessels, recreational boats, military vessels, and other maritime operations.

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

Major players in the marine autopilot system market are Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Raytheon Anschütz GmbH, ABB Ltd., Wärtsilä Corporation, Garmin Ltd., Kongsberg Maritime AS, Maretron LLP, Tokyo Keiki Inc., Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, Marine Technologies LLC, Japan Radio Co. Ltd., TMQ Electronics Pty Ltd, Navis Engineering Oy, ComNav Marine Ltd., Navitron Systems Ltd., Nautitech SAS, Alphatron Marine B.V., Si-Tex Marine Electronics, Octopus Autopilot Drives, Robosys Automation Ltd., Coursemaster Autopilots Pty. Ltd., NKE Marine Electronics SAS.

North America was the largest region in the marine autopilot system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in marine autopilot system report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

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

The marine autopilot system market consists of revenues earned by entities providing services such as system calibration, remote diagnostics, integration, and technical support. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The marine autopilot system market also includes sales of control units, sensors, actuators, steering mechanisms, and integrated navigation systems. 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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