Marine Base Steering Gear Global Market Report 2025

The marine base steering gear market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.63 billion in 2024 to $1.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising disposable incomes driving increased recreational boating, growing maritime investments in emerging economies, heightened focus on fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, support for sustainable shipping initiatives, and the expansion of green shipbuilding practices.

The marine base steering gear market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.24 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing global shipbuilding activities, rising investments in offshore oil and gas exploration, growing demand for cargo ships driven by global trade, expansion of naval defense budgets, and the recovery and growth of the cruise ship industry. Major trends during this period include the adoption of electro-hydraulic steering systems, integration of smart and autonomous navigation technologies, advancements in hydraulic control systems, use of improved materials for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance, and the development of compact and modular steering gear designs.

The expansion of global shipping activities is expected to drive growth in the marine base steering gear market. Shipping activities encompass the efficient planning, execution, and control of the movement and storage of goods from origin to destination. The demand for shipping is increasing due to the globalization of supply chains and rising international trade, creating a need for efficient and reliable transportation solutions. Marine steering gears provide precise and responsive control over rudder movements, allowing vessels to navigate safely through rough seas, congested ports, and narrow channels. This capability enables quick course adjustments, improving collision avoidance and overall vessel safety. For example, in June 2024, the United States Department of Transportation reported that U.S. waterborne transportation totaled 797 million tons in 2023 and is projected to reach 1.23 billion tons by 2050. Thus, the growth in global shipping activities will fuel the marine base steering gear market.

Key companies in the marine base steering gear market are focusing on technological innovations, such as hydraulic steering gears, which operate efficiently under high loads. Hydraulic steering gears use pressurized fluid to transmit force and control the vessel's rudder movement, enabling smooth and precise steering. For instance, in September 2024, Becker Marine Systems, a Germany-based provider of maritime maneuverability and energy-saving solutions, launched the Becker Steering Gear, a compact low-pressure hydraulic system designed to save space and enhance efficiency in small steering compartments. Featuring integrated bearings and a rudder carrier made from durable synthetic materials, this system offers long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. Available in eight variants with torque capacities ranging from 160 to 500 kilonewton-meters (kNm), it is ideal for smaller vessels including fishing boats, supply ships, tugboats, and yachts. The system prioritizes vessel safety, complies with classification society regulations, and is designed for easy installation and operation.

In February 2025, Twin Disc Inc., a U.S.-based power transmission equipment provider, acquired Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd. for $16.5 million. This acquisition enables Twin Disc to leverage Kobelt’s global presence and broaden its own market reach. In turn, Kobelt’s product portfolio complements Twin Disc’s offerings, enhancing its capabilities in industrial and maritime sectors. Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd. is a Canada-based manufacturer specializing in marine base steering gears.

Major players in the marine base steering gear market are ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Rolls-Royce Plc, Jastram Engineering Ltd., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Bosch Rexroth AG, Wärtsilä, Schottel Inc., Damen Marine Components, Kongsberg Maritime, Japan Radio Co. Ltd. (JRC), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Twin Disc Inc., Nakashima Propeller Co. Ltd., Veth Propulsion, Lilaas AS, Fluiten S.p.A., Palmarine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, D-I Industrial Co. Ltd., Data Hidrolik, and Beijing Haihua Co. Ltd.

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

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

Marine base steering gear is a mechanical system designed to control a vessel’s direction by managing rudder movement. It converts hydraulic, electric, or manual inputs into precise rudder adjustments, allowing for smooth and efficient navigation. This system is essential for maintaining course stability, executing turns, and enhancing overall safety during maritime operations.

The main types of marine base steering gears include mechanical steering gear, electrical steering gear, hydraulic steering gear, and pneumatic steering gear. Mechanical steering gear is a manually operated system that transmits steering commands from the helm to the rudder using mechanical linkages such as chains, wires, or gears, and is typically found on smaller vessels. These systems utilize various technologies, including automatic, manual, and semi-automatic modes. They are used in commercial vessels, military vessels, and recreational boats, serving end users such as shipbuilders, shipping companies, naval forces, and yacht owners.

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

The marine base steering gear market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as installation services, system upgrades and modernization, hydraulic system servicing, 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 base steering gear market also includes sales of control panels and consoles, servo motors and actuators, hydraulic cylinders, and emergency steering 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.