Offshore Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Market Report 2026

The offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (auv) and remotely operated vehicle (rov) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.73 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing offshore energy exploration, adoption of robotic underwater inspection, rising need for subsea construction monitoring, integration of advanced navigation and sensor systems, demand for precise underwater operations.

The offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (auv) and remotely operated vehicle (rov) market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.7 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of AI-assisted autonomous missions, development of hybrid auv-rov platforms, adoption in renewable offshore projects, increasing use for subsea maintenance and repair, integration with real-time surface data systems. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for deepwater and ultra-deepwater inspection and intervention missions, increasing preference for auvs over rovs for large-area survey and mapping operations, adoption of modular, multi-mission payload architectures to enhance vehicle versatility, expansion of leasing, chartering, and service-based business models for subsea robotics, rising collaboration between defense, research, and commercial operators for shared subsea infrastructure and data.

The growing demand for offshore oil and gas exploration is expected to drive the expansion of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market moving forward. Offshore oil and gas exploration involves searching for and assessing oil and natural gas reserves beneath the seabed in offshore areas using geological, geophysical, and drilling methods. As onshore reserves continue to decline, companies are increasingly seeking new hydrocarbon sources beneath the seabed. AUVs and ROVs support these activities by conducting safe and efficient underwater surveys, inspecting pipelines, and evaluating potential drilling sites in deepwater regions. For example, in March 2025, the Global Energy Monitor, a US-based NGO, reported that global oil discoveries reached around 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with approximately 4 billion barrels approved for development and 6.5 billion barrels entering production. Thus, the rising demand for offshore oil and gas exploration is fueling the growth of the AUV and ROV market.

Leading companies in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market are emphasizing the development of innovative advancements such as autonomous underwater vehicles to enhance operational efficiency, reduce offshore manpower requirements, and deliver higher-quality subsea inspection data. An autonomous underwater vehicle is a self-directed, unmanned robotic platform built to navigate underwater environments and perform inspection, mapping, or monitoring tasks without continuous human oversight. For example, in November 2024, Beam, a UK-based provider of subsea robotics and artificial intelligence solutions, introduced Scout. The system combines artificial intelligence, real-time 3D reconstruction capabilities, and precision navigation to autonomously carry out offshore wind turbine inspections. It produces 4K three-dimensional digital twins and enables year-on-year comparative analyses while supporting deployment directly from Crew Transfer Vessels, thereby streamlining field operations.

In March 2025, Chouest Group, a US-based shipbuilding company, acquired Kystdesign AS for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Chouest aims to enhance its subsea robotics capabilities and accelerate innovation in underwater ROV technology to better serve deepwater operations and expand its subsea technology portfolio. Kystdesign AS is a Norway-based engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in the design and production of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and related subsea equipment for offshore applications.

Major companies operating in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (auv) and remotely operated vehicle (rov) market are General Dynamics Corporation, TechnipFMC plc, Saipem S.p.A., Subsea 7 S.A., Teledyne Technologies Inc., Saab AB, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Fugro N.V., Oceaneering International Inc., Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc., DOF Subsea AS, Bourbon Corporation SA, Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Boston Engineering Corporation, ECA Group, Edison Chouest Offshore LLC, Ocean Infinity Group Limited, VideoRay LLC, Bluefin Robotics Corporation, International Submarine Engineering Ltd., SeaTrepid International LLC, Graal Tech S.r.l., Hydromea SA.

North America was the largest region in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (auv) and remotely operated vehicle (rov) 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, specialty metals, and subsea cabling are increasing production and integration costs for offshore AUV and ROV systems, disrupting cross-border supply chains for navigation technology, sensors and imaging equipment, communication technology, and power supply systems. These impacts are most pronounced in heavyweight work-class ROVs and deepwater AUVs used in oil and gas exploration, renewable energy, and defense applications, particularly across regions that rely on imported high-value subsystems from North America, Europe, and Asia. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging localization of manufacturing, regional sourcing strategies, and investment in domestic technology capabilities, which can foster new partnerships and innovation within key AUV and ROV market clusters.

The offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market statistics, including offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market share, detailed offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) industry. This offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 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.

Offshore autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are sophisticated robotic systems designed to execute complex tasks in subsea environments with high accuracy and dependability. An AUV is a self-directed, untethered system equipped with advanced sensors and onboard navigation capabilities, allowing it to function independently without constant human control. Conversely, an ROV is a tethered vehicle connected to a surface control station, permitting operators to directly control its movements and perform detailed operations through real-time commands.

The main categories of vehicles within offshore autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Autonomous underwater vehicles are untethered, self-guided machines designed to perform underwater tasks such as data collection and exploration. They vary in payload capacities, lightweight, medium, and heavyweight, and incorporate technologies including navigation systems, sensors and imaging devices, communication systems, power supply units, and control and software frameworks. Their applications span oil and gas exploration, marine research, renewable energy, environmental monitoring, search and recovery missions, and defense and security. These vehicles serve end users such as commercial industries, government and defense sectors, research institutions, environmental organizations, and telecommunications.

The countries covered in the offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (auv) and remotely operated vehicle (rov) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market consists of sales of survey autonomous underwater vehicles, heavy-duty construction remotely operated vehicles, power and communication units, launch and recovery systems, and control consoles and tether management 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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