Offshore Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Global Market Report 2025

The offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.31 billion in 2024 to $3.73 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The growth during the historic period can be credited to increased deepwater oil and gas exploration, early adoption within defense and research sectors, the expansion of offshore wind energy projects, the rise of deep-sea mining exploration, and the implementation of strict environmental regulations.

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 $5.97 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to rising investments in renewable energy projects, expanding deepwater hydrocarbon exploration, increasing demand for subsea inspection and maintenance, growth in naval defense applications, and a heightened need for marine environmental monitoring. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomy, the development of hydrogen fuel cells, the adoption of digital twin technology, cloud-based data analytics for real-time underwater monitoring, and the integration of hybrid and electric vehicle technologies.

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 AUV and ROV market are focusing on developing advanced technologies, including unmanned remotely operated vehicles designed for offshore logistics, to enhance operational efficiency and reduce human involvement. These unmanned remotely operated vehicles are underwater robots remotely controlled to transport equipment, inspect infrastructure, and support maintenance operations in offshore environments without requiring human presence. For instance, in February 2022, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a UAE-based natural gas company, launched unmanned ROVs aimed at revolutionizing underwater safety inspections and offshore logistics. Developed in partnership with the French company SeaOwl, these ROVs can be operated remotely from onshore control rooms via satellite links and feature advanced automation and AI-based navigation systems. Capable of transporting vehicles, equipment, and supplies to offshore sites, their innovative design is expected to reduce operational costs, improve safety, and cut carbon emissions by up to 30%, supporting ADNOC’s sustainability and decarbonization objectives.

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 players 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 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in offshore autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and 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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

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, 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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