Marine Electronics Device Market Trends

Marine Electronics Device Market Overview

The Marine Electronics Device Market size was valued at USD 14513.81 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 21929.6 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025 to 2033.

The marine electronics device market plays a vital role in enhancing the operational efficiency, safety, navigation, and surveillance capabilities of vessels operating across commercial, military, and recreational marine sectors. As of 2024, more than 1.8 million vessels globally are equipped with marine electronic devices, with over 420,000 units installed in cargo ships alone. Advanced electronics such as GPS & radar systems, ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems), autopilot systems, and sonar are standard components in modern shipbuilding, integrated into over 78% of newly built vessels globally.

The demand for real-time vessel tracking and automation is increasing, particularly in Asia-Pacific and North America. Globally, over 310,000 fishfinder units were sold in 2023, primarily to the fishing fleet sector. Safety communications systems are now mandated under SOLAS regulations for more than 95,000 vessels. With increasing incidences of maritime piracy and unauthorized vessel entry, security electronics such as boat surveillance and intrusion detection systems are becoming mandatory in 22 maritime jurisdictions. In the military segment, over 95% of naval vessels above 2,000 tonnes are now equipped with sonar systems for anti-submarine and navigation applications. Maritime digital transformation is leading to wider adoption of integrated bridges and cloud-linked voyage data recorders.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Growing emphasis on maritime safety, automation, and real-time navigation systems across vessel categories.

COUNTRY/REGION: Asia-Pacific leads the market, with over 40% of vessel installations taking place in China, Japan, and South Korea.

SEGMENT: GPS & Radar systems account for the highest adoption rate with over 650,000 global units operational as of 2024.

Marine Electronics Device Market Trends

The marine electronics device market has evolved significantly due to increased reliance on automated navigation, data-based operations, and real-time maritime communication. In 2023, over 5.7 million marine electronics devices were sold globally. Among these, GPS & radar systems made up 26% of sales, followed by fishfinders (18%), safety communications (15%), and sonar systems (12%).

Commercial shipping is witnessing rapid adoption of voyage data recorders (VDR), which are now installed on more than 78,000 vessels worldwide. Integrated ECDIS systems have become compulsory for most cargo vessels over 10,000 DWT, and over 150,000 new installations took place in the last two years alone. Autopilot systems are being used on over 620,000 boats, enhancing fuel efficiency and operational safety.

The fishing sector represents a growing demand center. Over 1.2 million fishing boats globally are now equipped with sonar, GPS, and fishfinders. In Japan alone, 72% of registered fishing vessels operate with multifunction marine displays and fish location technologies. Recreational and speed boat markets are also expanding, with over 140,000 marine audio systems sold globally in 2023, primarily in the US and Europe.

Marine Electronics Device Market Dynamics

The marine electronics device market dynamics are shaped by the increasing need for enhanced vessel navigation, communication, and safety across both commercial and defense maritime sectors. As marine operations become more complex and technology-driven, the demand for advanced electronics such as sonar systems, GPS and radar, autopilots, and ECDIS continues to grow. Globally, over 1.8 million vessels rely on marine electronics to operate safely and efficiently in varying sea conditions, with more than 5.7 million marine electronic units sold in 2023 alone.

The adoption of integrated bridge systems and real-time voyage monitoring is being accelerated by stricter international regulations and the digitization of fleet operations. This dynamic environment is further influenced by factors such as regulatory mandates, rising maritime security concerns, high retrofitting costs, and rapid technological innovation—making the marine electronics device market one of the most responsive and strategically significant segments in the global maritime equipment industry.

DRIVER

Rising demand for maritime safety and autonomous navigation technologies.

The need to ensure vessel safety, avoid collisions, and operate in low-visibility conditions has led to mass adoption of marine electronics. Over 200,000 maritime accidents were reported between 2010 and 2023, 32% of which were due to navigational errors. As a result, more than 95% of newly registered commercial vessels above 5,000 DWT in 2023 included GPS, radar, and VDR systems. ECDIS adoption is nearly universal in European shipping fleets. The IMO mandates installation of GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems) on vessels over 300 gross tonnes, leading to over 75,000 new safety system installations globally last year.

RESTRAINT

High initial costs and complex retrofitting of older vessels.

One of the major restraints in the market is the high cost of integrated electronics. Complete bridge system installations can exceed USD 500,000 for large vessels. Over 300,000 vessels globally are older than 20 years and lack the onboard infrastructure to support modern marine electronics. Retrofitting these vessels involves rewiring, structural adjustments, and downtime, leading to cost overruns. Additionally, crew training on new systems adds to operational expenditures. These challenges have slowed modernization efforts, especially in developing countries with aging fleets.

OPPORTUNITY

Technological convergence and smart marine systems.

The integration of AI, machine learning, and IoT with marine electronics is creating new opportunities. In 2023, over 80 shipping companies adopted AI-driven voyage optimization platforms, combining GPS, radar, and environmental sensors. Digital twins and cloud-based vessel management systems are being introduced for remote diagnostics and automated control. Over 30 port authorities globally are using centralized vessel traffic systems integrated with onboard marine electronics. There is a strong demand for next-gen safety communication systems with satellite redundancy, expected to be deployed on over 60,000 vessels within the next two years.

CHALLENGE

Environmental impact and electromagnetic interference.

Environmental regulations are impacting the design and deployment of marine electronics. Electromagnetic emissions from sonar and radar systems are being scrutinized for their impact on marine life, especially cetaceans. Over 45 studies in 2023 linked high-frequency sonar to disruptions in marine mammal migration patterns. As a result, regulatory constraints on frequency bands are increasing, especially in the EU and Canada. Manufacturers face challenges in designing systems that balance performance with compliance.

Marine Electronics Device Market Segmentation

The marine electronics device market segmentation provides a detailed breakdown of the diverse range of equipment types and vessel applications that drive demand across the industry. Marine electronics are classified into various types such as sonar systems, GPS & radar, autopilots, safety communications, fishfinders, and more—each fulfilling critical operational roles in navigation, surveillance, and vessel management. These devices are deployed across multiple vessel categories, including cargo ships, ferries, fishing boats, military vessels, engineering ships, and recreational crafts. As of 2023, more than 1.8 million vessels globally are equipped with at least one form of marine electronics, reflecting the sector's broad reach and specialized application requirements. Understanding this segmentation is essential for identifying market trends, investment priorities, and tailored technological advancements in each marine segment.

By Type

Sonar systems are deployed on over 650,000 vessels globally, including naval and fishing fleets. Used for underwater detection, mapping, and navigation, sonar systems are critical in military and deep-sea applications. More than 320,000 units are installed in commercial fishing boats for fish detection, and over 95% of submarines rely on passive and active sonar for navigation.
More than 85,000 vessels use onboard surveillance systems. These include camera arrays, motion detection, and intrusion alerts. In 2023, over 14,000 new systems were installed in maritime logistics hubs due to port security requirements.
Over 1.2 million fishfinder units are in operation globally. Used by both commercial and small-scale fishing fleets, Japan, Norway, and South Korea account for 40% of global usage.
With more than 650,000 units sold in 2023, GPS & radar systems remain the most widely used marine electronics. Over 90% of vessels above 1,000 DWT have integrated GPS-radar systems.
Over 140,000 audio systems were sold in 2023, mostly to speed boats and recreational vessels. US and Australia lead demand, with Bluetooth and water-resistant capabilities being key features.
Installed in over 150,000 vessels, ECDIS is now mandatory on most cargo ships under IMO regulations. Over 30 new ECDIS models were released in 2023 with touchscreen interfaces and auto-updates.
Used in 620,000 vessels, autopilot systems improve navigational consistency and reduce crew fatigue. In 2023, 62% of new ferries and cargo ships included advanced autopilot systems.
Approximately 78,000 commercial vessels use VDRs, which store ship operations data for compliance and investigation purposes. 2023 saw over 12,000 units shipped globally.
Over 75,000 GMDSS-compatible communication systems were installed in 2023, essential for vessel distress signals, weather alerts, and inter-vessel communications.
Includes echo sounders, AIS (Automatic Identification Systems), and depth finders, with more than 600,000 units combined in operation globally.

By Application

Over 58,000 ferries worldwide use marine electronics, including VDRs, GPS, and autopilot systems. Over 11,000 ferry vessels were upgraded with ECDIS in 2023 for compliance.
More than 320,000 cargo ships use integrated bridge systems. These vessels rely heavily on GPS, radar, ECDIS, and autopilots. Safety upgrades were performed on over 50,000 vessels in the past year.
Combination vessels such as Ro-Ro and container-bulk carriers use advanced systems for dual cargo operations. Over 17,000 of these vessels employ AI-assisted navigational aids.
Approximately 6,000 salvage vessels worldwide utilize sonar, radar, and underwater cameras for rescue and recovery operations.
Over 18,000 engineering ships—including dredgers and survey ships—use sonar and echo sounders. More than 3,500 received ECDIS upgrades in 2023.
With over 1.2 million registered vessels, this is the largest segment by volume. Sonar, GPS, and fishfinders are standard equipment in over 70% of modern fishing boats.
Over 310,000 speed boats worldwide use marine audio, GPS, and surveillance electronics. 2023 saw the addition of 85,000 new marine audio systems.
More than 35,000 military vessels globally use sonar, command-and-control systems, radar, and encrypted safety communications. Defense electronics programs delivered over 8,000 new systems in 2023.
Includes luxury yachts, research vessels, and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Over 45,000 such vessels are equipped with multifunction marine displays.

Regional Outlook For Marine Electronics Device Market

The marine electronics device market displays considerable regional variation, shaped by factors such as maritime infrastructure development, defense spending, fishing activity, and regulatory standards. Each geographic region shows distinct preferences for technology types and investment priorities, creating a diverse and dynamic global market landscape.

North America

North America is a significant market for marine electronics, accounting for a considerable portion of global device installations. In 2023, the region hosted over 400,000 equipped vessels, with more than 70% using integrated GPS, radar, and autopilot systems.

Europe

Europe remains a technology-advanced region with high compliance to IMO regulations, especially concerning safety communications and ECDIS installations. In 2023, over 220,000 vessels operating in European waters were equipped with marine electronics systems. Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands led new deployments, particularly in offshore wind farm support vessels and container ships.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominates the global market, contributing over 40% of total marine electronics sales in 2023. China, Japan, and South Korea collectively account for over 500,000 marine vessels fitted with sonar, radar, and control systems. China’s rapidly growing shipbuilding sector, which produced over 23 million gross tonnes of ships in 2023, heavily relies on onboard electronics for compliance and automation.

Middle East & Africa

Though smaller in scale, the Middle East & Africa region is experiencing notable growth in marine electronics deployment. Over 85,000 vessels in the region were fitted with basic to advanced navigation and communication devices in 2023. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are leading adopters, especially in port surveillance and vessel traffic management systems.

List Of Top Marine Electronics Device Companies

Marine Electronics
FLIR Systems
FURUNO ELECTRIC
Garmin
Johnson Outdoors
Kongsberg Maritime
Kraken Sonar
Navico
Neptune Sonar
Northrop Grumman
Raytheon
R2Sonic
Sound Metrics
Thales Group
Ultra Electronics

FURUNO ELECTRIC: Holds the largest market share with over 1.5 million installed devices globally across sonar, radar, and ECDIS categories.

Kongsberg Maritime: Leader in high-performance military and commercial navigation systems, with over 750,000 units deployed in more than 100 countries.

Investment Analysis And Opportunities

In 2023, over USD 3.4 billion was invested globally in marine electronics R&D, manufacturing expansion, and digital fleet modernization. Northrop Grumman allocated over USD 420 million toward naval systems R&D, focusing on sonar and underwater communications. Thales announced a USD 300 million investment in next-gen vessel electronics, with a focus on cybersecurity integration for military vessels.

Shipyards in South Korea and China are installing marine electronics in over 1,000 new builds annually, boosting demand for integrated systems. Garmin opened two new marine tech centers in the US and Europe to support expansion in GPS and autopilot offerings. Meanwhile, FLIR Systems invested over USD 110 million to enhance thermal imaging integration in boat surveillance systems.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, over 120 new marine electronics products were launched, ranging from upgraded GPS systems to AI-integrated ECDIS platforms. FLIR Systems introduced its M364C dual-sensor thermal camera with radar overlay, now used in over 12,000 vessels worldwide.

FURUNO launched its NavNet TZtouchXL multifunction display system with 4D navigation and AR-based collision avoidance. Over 30,000 units were ordered within 6 months of launch. Garmin unveiled the GPSMAP 9000 series with cloud sync and satellite mesh networking, supporting up to 500 devices per vessel.

Thales Group introduced a military-grade E-navigation suite that integrates autopilot, radar, sonar, and satellite communications into a unified control interface. It is already deployed on over 60 NATO vessels.

Five Recent Developments

FURUNO ELECTRIC launched NavNet TZtouchXL with AI collision avoidance in April 2023, surpassing 30,000 global unit sales by end of year.
Thales Group deployed integrated naval electronics suites on 12 NATO vessels under a Q3 2023 defense contract.
FLIR Systems introduced the M364C thermal imaging system with integrated radar overlay, shipping over 12,000 units globally in 2023.
R2Sonic launched the Sonic-V sonar with AI-based bathymetric correction in Q4 2023, adopted by 120 research ships.
Garmin opened marine innovation centers in Oregon and Amsterdam in Q2 2024 to focus on integrated GPS, autopilot, and radar solutions.

Report Coverage of Marine Electronics Device Market

This report presents an extensive analysis of the marine electronics device market, encompassing navigation, communication, surveillance, sonar, audio, autopilot, and safety system categories. The scope covers both commercial and military marine electronics across vessels such as ferries, cargo ships, fishing boats, and naval ships.

Market segmentation includes over 11 electronic device categories and 9 vessel applications, backed by volume analysis for each. The report evaluates over 70 countries in terms of electronics adoption, port digitalization, fleet modernization rates, and government mandates.

More than 150 product specifications from 15 global manufacturers have been analyzed to map innovation patterns. Data includes onboard penetration rates, retrofitting statistics, crew training needs, and system lifecycle costs.

Additionally, the report includes a forward-looking assessment of AI, satellite integration, cloud analytics, and cybersecurity in marine systems. The top 10 companies are profiled with insights on production output, distribution models, and regional strengths.