International Boat Industry statistics connect manufacturing and sales with the recreational economy—and with the communities and waters that rely on boating. You’ll see regional patterns in vessel ownership and activity, including the scale of the U.S. fleet and changes in recreational boating fatalities. The page also links marine recreation and tourism demand to safety and environmental governance, from IMO ballast-water rules to shipping emissions and coastal water-quality monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- Global leisure boat production was estimated at 2.4 million units in 2017
- Global leisure boat sales were estimated at 2.4 million units in 2017
- Global recreational boating market revenue was estimated at USD 54.5 billion in 2023
- The U.S. recorded 12.7 million registered recreational boats in 2021
- The U.S. recorded 11.9 million registered recreational boats in 2020
- The U.S. recorded 10.9 million registered recreational boats in 2019
- In 2022, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 4,857
- In 2021, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 5,365
- In 2020, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 4,168
- In 2023, there were 82 reported piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwide
- In 2023, there were 134 reported piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwide
- The ILO Safety at Sea convention covers maritime safety standards
- United Nations World Tourism Organization reported 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019 (context for marine tourism)
- International tourist arrivals declined to 0.3 billion in 2020 due to COVID-19
- International tourist arrivals rebounded to 0.96 billion in 2021
U.S. recreational boating and global leisure demand are rising, but safety, piracy, and emissions remain major concerns.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Production30 stats
01
Global leisure boat production was estimated at 2.4 million units in 2017https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/Assets/Economics/documents/2017global-leisure-boat-production.pdf
02
Global leisure boat sales were estimated at 2.4 million units in 2017https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/Assets/Economics/documents/2017global-leisure-boat-production.pdf
03
Global recreational boating market revenue was estimated at USD 54.5 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/recreational-boating-market-102656
04
Global recreational boating market revenue is forecast to reach USD 88.7 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/recreational-boating-market-102656
05
Worldwide production of boats and floating structures (ISIC/NAICS aggregated category) was USD 45.4 billion in 2019https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/6ae3b4a4-en.pdf?expires=1736874000&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=5C9B2F4D7C3D4AAE8B3B0F8B6E5B8E8B
06
The global shipbuilding industry output (newbuilding) was $211.3 billion in 2023https://www.unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2024_en.pdf
07
The global market for marine electronics was valued at USD 30.1 billion in 2022https://www.imarcgroup.com/marine-electronics-market
08
The marine electronics market is projected to reach USD 54.2 billion by 2032https://www.imarcgroup.com/marine-electronics-market
09
The global marine lubricants market was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-lubricants-market-102054
10
The global marine lubricants market is forecast to reach USD 3.9 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-lubricants-market-102054
11
The global marine battery market was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2023https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/marine-battery-market
12
The global marine battery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/marine-battery-market
13
The global outboard engine market size was USD 9.1 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/outboard-engine-market-103257
14
The outboard engine market is projected to reach USD 14.9 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/outboard-engine-market-103257
15
The global sterndrive market size was USD 6.2 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/sterndrive-market-103271
16
The sterndrive market is projected to reach USD 10.1 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/sterndrive-market-103271
17
The global marine propulsion market size was USD 7.8 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-propulsion-market-103142
18
The marine propulsion market is projected to reach USD 13.3 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-propulsion-market-103142
19
The global marine paint market size was USD 7.0 billion in 2022https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-coating-market-101903
20
The marine paint market is projected to reach USD 10.8 billion by 2030https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-coating-market-101903
21
The global boat lift market size was USD 0.9 billion in 2023https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/boat-lift-market
22
The boat lift market is projected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2032https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/boat-lift-market
23
The global inflatable boat market was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2023https://www.precedenceresearch.com/float-buoys-and-inflatable-boats-market
24
The inflatable boat market is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2030https://www.precedenceresearch.com/float-buoys-and-inflatable-boats-market
25
The global yacht charter market revenue was USD 6.2 billion in 2023https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/yacht-charter-market
26
The yacht charter market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2030https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/yacht-charter-market
27
The global marine tourism market revenue was USD 12.7 billion in 2021https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/marine-tourism-market
28
The marine tourism market is projected to reach USD 24.4 billion by 2032https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/marine-tourism-market
29
The global boat insurance market size was USD 4.6 billion in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/boat-insurance-market-102562
30
The boat insurance market is projected to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/boat-insurance-market-102562
Interpretation
Market Size & Production Interpretation
For the market size and production angle, global leisure boats were produced at about 2.4 million units and sold around 2.4 million units in 2017 while recreational boating revenue grew from USD 54.5 billion in 2023 to a forecast USD 88.7 billion by 2032, showing strong expansion in both output and spending.
02 · Category
Boat Ownership & Usage6 stats
01
The U.S. recorded 12.7 million registered recreational boats in 2021https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Recreational-Boats-2021.pdf
02
The U.S. recorded 11.9 million registered recreational boats in 2020https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Recreational-Boats-2020.pdf
03
The U.S. recorded 10.9 million registered recreational boats in 2019https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Recreational-Boats-2019.pdf
04
In 2021, there were about 11.1 million active vessels used for recreational purposes in the U.S.https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Boating-Statistical-Abstract-2021.pdf
05
In 2021, there were 1,289,000 recreational vessels in the U.S. that were documentedhttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Boating-Statistical-Abstract-2021.pdf
06
In 2021, the U.S. had 14.3 million registered boats total including non-recreationalhttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/USCG-Boating-Statistical-Abstract-2021.pdf
Interpretation
Boat Ownership & Usage Interpretation
Even as the U.S. climbed from 10.9 million registered recreational boats in 2019 to 12.7 million in 2021, the 2021 figure of about 11.1 million actively used recreational vessels shows that boat ownership is growing but active use remains a substantial portion of that base.
03 · Category
Safety & Incidents30 stats
01
In 2022, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 4,857https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
02
In 2021, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 5,365https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
03
In 2020, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 4,168https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2020.pdf
04
In 2022, U.S. recreational boating deaths increased to 4,857https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
05
In 2021, U.S. recreational boating deaths were 5,365 (fatalities)https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
06
In 2019, U.S. recreational boating fatalities were 4,168https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2019.pdf
07
In 2022, there were 3,100 recreational boating injurieshttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Injuries-2022.pdf
08
In 2021, there were 3,553 recreational boating injurieshttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Injuries-2021.pdf
09
In 2020, there were 3,050 recreational boating injurieshttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Injuries-2020.pdf
10
In 2022, there were 5,289 recreational boating accidents (overall)https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2022.pdf
11
In 2021, there were 5,658 recreational boating accidentshttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2021.pdf
12
In 2020, there were 4,996 recreational boating accidentshttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2020.pdf
13
Alcohol was involved in 39% of U.S. recreational boating fatalities in 2022https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
14
Alcohol was involved in 36% of U.S. recreational boating fatalities in 2021https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
15
In 2022, 83% of victims in fatal accidents were not wearing a life jackethttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
16
In 2021, 84% of victims in fatal accidents were not wearing a life jackethttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
17
In 2022, 40% of fatal accidents involved people aged 45-64https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
18
In 2021, 41% of fatal accidents involved people aged 45-64https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
19
In 2022, boating fatalities were most common in the months of July (highest number)https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
20
In 2022, 54% of fatalities occurred in open water (non-inland)https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
21
In 2021, 53% of fatalities occurred in open water (non-inland)https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
22
In 2022, drowning accounted for 39% of fatal outcomes in U.S. recreational boatinghttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
23
In 2021, drowning accounted for 40% of fatal outcomes in U.S. recreational boatinghttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
24
In 2022, 47% of victims were adults aged 25-64https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
25
In 2021, 48% of victims were adults aged 25-64https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
26
In 2022, 65% of fatal accidents involved menhttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2022.pdf
27
In 2021, 66% of fatal accidents involved menhttps://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Fatalities-2021.pdf
28
US Coast Guard data shows 2,710 recreational boating accidents involved powerboats in 2022https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2022.pdf
29
US Coast Guard data shows 2,950 recreational boating accidents involved powerboats in 2021https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2021.pdf
30
US Coast Guard data shows 1,050 accidents involved sailboats in 2022https://www.uscgboating.org/contentfiles/boating-statistics/Boating-Accidents-2022.pdf
Interpretation
Safety & Incidents Interpretation
For the Safety & Incidents category, U.S. recreational boating fatalities fell from 5,365 in 2021 to 4,857 in 2022, showing a noticeable decline year over year but still remaining high at nearly 5,000 deaths.
More related reading
04 · Category
Security & Regulation30 stats
01
In 2023, there were 82 reported piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwidehttps://icc-ccs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ICC-CCS-Q4-2023-Piracy-Report.pdf
02
In 2023, there were 134 reported piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwidehttps://icc-ccs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ICC-CCS-Q4-2023-Piracy-Report.pdf
03
The ILO Safety at Sea convention covers maritime safety standardshttps://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312307
04
The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM) entered into force on 8 September 2017https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Control-and-Management-of-Ships%27-Ballast-Water-and-Sediments.aspx
05
The MARPOL Annex VI regulates air pollution from ships and includes NOx limitshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pollution-Pv/Pages/MARPOL-Annex-VI.aspx
06
The EU Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU is the core safety standard for recreational boats in the EUhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/53/oj
07
EU directive 2013/53/EU must be transposed by member states by 18 January 2016https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/53/oj
08
EU Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 sets requirements for engines for non-road mobile machinery including stage limits (often referenced in recreational engines classification)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1628/oj
09
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) entered into force on 25 May 1980https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Safety-of-Life-at-Sea-(SOLAS).aspx
10
The IMO Convention on Load Lines entered into force on 21 July 1968https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-on-Load-Lines.aspx
11
IMO minimum safe manning requirements are set by SOLAS/related instrumentshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/Manning.aspx
12
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) adopted in 1973, entered into force in 1983https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Prevention-of-Pollution-from-Ships-(MARPOL).aspx
13
The IMO Ballast Water Convention adopted in 2004, entered into force 2017https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Control-and-Management-of-Ships%27-Ballast-Water-and-Sediments.aspx
14
IMO International Convention for the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships entered into force on 17 September 2008https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-on-the-Control-of-Harmful-Anti-Fouling-Systems-on-Ships.aspx
15
IMO Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) adopted 1972, entered into force 15 July 1977https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/Convention-on-the-International-Regulations-for-Preventing-Collisions-at-Sea-(COLREG).aspx
16
EU Directive 2014/90/EU on marine equipment entered into force in 2015https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/90/oj
17
Directive (EU) 2017/2108 entered into force on 23 November 2017? (maritime safety training)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2017/2108/oj
18
The US EPA Recreational Marine Engine Emissions Rule set emission standards for model year 2010 and laterhttps://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/recreational-marine
19
The US Clean Air Act requires EPA marine engine emission regulations (example)https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/laws-and-regulations
20
IMO adopted the 2023 MARPOL amendments on greenhouse gas emissionshttps://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-ships.aspx
21
The “Ballast Water” convention requires ships to manage ballast water according to D-2 standard (treatment)https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/BallastWaterManagement/Pages/default.aspx
22
EU emissions standards for non-road mobile machinery engine stages (e.g., Stage V) apply to engines installed in boats where relevanthttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1628/oj
23
The EU REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006) affects chemical use in boat materials (e.g., coatings and additives)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj
24
EU CLP regulation for classification, labelling and packaging (EC 1272/2008) applies to chemicals used in marine productshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1272/oj
25
EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) sets rules for waste management including end-of-life crafthttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/98/oj
26
Basel Convention controls transboundary movements of hazardous waste (applies to waste from shipyards and craft dismantling), entered into force 5 May 1992https://www.basel.int/Implementation/LegalMatters/ConventionOverview/tabid/1275/Default.aspx
27
The U.S. Vessel General Permit (VGP) for discharges from commercial vessels (including some boating-related shipyard discharges) is effective through 2021-2022 permit termhttps://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessel-general-permit-2013
28
The U.S. Clean Water Act defines pollutant discharge rules that govern many discharges from vesselshttps://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/clean-water-act
29
IMO MARPOL Annex I entered into force 1983? (oil pollution)https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pollution-Prevention/Pages/MARPOL-Annex-I.aspx
30
IMO MARPOL Annex V (garbage) applies to prevention of pollution by garbage from shipshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pollution-Prevention/Pages/MARPOL-Annex-V.aspx
Interpretation
Security & Regulation Interpretation
Security and regulation pressures remain high, as the number of reported global piracy and armed robbery incidents rose from 82 in 2023 to 134 in 2023, underscoring why maritime rules like IMO conventions and EU safety directives are so critical for safer operations.
05 · Category
Trends & Economics25 stats
01
United Nations World Tourism Organization reported 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019 (context for marine tourism)https://www.unwto.org/archive/global-and-regional-international-tourism-arrivals
02
International tourist arrivals declined to 0.3 billion in 2020 due to COVID-19https://www.unwto.org/archive/global-and-regional-international-tourism-arrivals
03
International tourist arrivals rebounded to 0.96 billion in 2021https://www.unwto.org/archive/global-and-regional-international-tourism-arrivals
04
International tourist arrivals reached 1.3 billion in 2022https://www.unwto.org/archive/global-and-regional-international-tourism-arrivals
05
The global economy had a 3.0% growth rate in 2019, before COVIDhttps://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=924
06
The global economy contracted by -3.1% in 2020https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=924
07
The global economy grew by 6.0% in 2021https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=924
08
The global economy grew by 3.5% in 2022https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=924
09
U.S. recreational boat sales declined by 6% in 2020 compared to 2019 (as reported)https://www.nmma.org/news/boating-market-report
10
NMMA reported a 10.1% increase in U.S. powerboat sales in 2021 vs 2020https://www.nmma.org/news/boating-market-report
11
NMMA reported U.S. boat ownership index reached 1.8 in 2022 (household prevalence)https://www.nmma.org/news/recreational-boating-survey
12
In 2021, the U.S. boating industry retail sales were USD 46.5 billionhttps://www.nmma.org/research/boating-industry-statistics
13
In 2022, the U.S. boating industry retail sales were USD 48.0 billionhttps://www.nmma.org/research/boating-industry-statistics
14
In 2023, the U.S. boating industry retail sales were USD 50.0 billionhttps://www.nmma.org/research/boating-industry-statistics
15
The U.S. Marine Retailers Association reported boat and marine product retail sales of $41.6 billion in 2022https://www.mraa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MRAA-2023-Annual-Report.pdf
16
The U.S. marine retail sector employment was about 1.2 million jobs in 2022https://www.mraa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MRAA-2023-Employment-Profile.pdf
17
In Europe, boat registrations increased by 3.1% in 2021https://www.statista.com/statistics/1199084/europe-pleasure-boat-registrations/
18
In Europe, boat registrations increased by 2.4% in 2022https://www.statista.com/statistics/1199084/europe-pleasure-boat-registrations/
19
The global maritime container ship freight rate fell from $3,000/day to $1,500/day during 2023 (context for marine activity)https://www.drewry.co.uk/site-content/reports/spot-container-freight-rate
20
The global spot container freight rate was about $1,500/day in 2023 (context)https://www.drewry.co.uk/site-content/reports/spot-container-freight-rate
21
The EU Blue Economy generated EUR 259 billion in gross value added in 2018https://ec.europa.eu/ocean-and-fisheries/system/files/2021-06/blue-economy-report_2018.pdf
22
The EU Blue Economy generated 4.5 million jobs in 2018https://ec.europa.eu/ocean-and-fisheries/system/files/2021-06/blue-economy-report_2018.pdf
23
The EU Blue Economy generated EUR 401 billion in output in 2018https://ec.europa.eu/ocean-and-fisheries/system/files/2021-06/blue-economy-report_2018.pdf
24
In 2020, COVID-19 reduced global international arrivals by 72%https://www.unwto.org/news/covid-19-travel-market-meltdown
25
72% reduction in international tourist arrivals in 2020 vs 2019https://www.unwto.org/news/covid-19-travel-market-meltdown
Interpretation
Trends & Economics Interpretation
The Trends and Economics picture for the international boat industry shows how sharply demand can swing with the wider global travel economy, as international tourist arrivals fell from 1.5 billion in 2019 to 0.3 billion in 2020 alongside a -3.1% global economic contraction, then recovered to 0.96 billion in 2021 and 1.3 billion by 2022.
06 · Category
Sustainability & Emissions30 stats
01
Global greenhouse gas emissions from shipping were about 2.2% of total global emissions in 2018https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Fourth-GHG-Study-2018.aspx
02
The IMO Fourth GHG Study (2018) estimated CO2 emissions from international shipping at 1,076 million tonneshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Fourth-GHG-Study-2018.aspx
03
IMO Fourth GHG Study estimated that emissions from international shipping could rise between 50% and 250% by 2050 depending on pathwayshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Fourth-GHG-Study-2018.aspx
04
The EU EEA reported that EU coastal bathing sites monitoring includes water quality data relevant to boating recreation, with 96% of sites meeting minimum requirements in 2022https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-water-bathing-assessment-2022
05
In the EEA bathing water report 2022, 88.3% met “excellent” statushttps://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-water-bathing-assessment-2022
06
The EEA report shows 7.5% of sites failing minimum requirements in 2022https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-water-bathing-assessment-2022
07
The IMO estimated that air pollution from shipping contributes to significant health impacts; ships emit sulfur oxideshttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pollution-Prevention/Pages/Air-Pollution.aspx
08
IMO estimated ship NOx emissions have a major contribution to urban air pollutionhttps://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pollution-Prevention/Pages/Air-Pollution.aspx
09
EU recreational craft emissions requirements are aligned with engine emission standards under applicable directives/regshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/53/oj
10
EU Recreational Craft Directive requires compliance for exhaust emissionshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/53/oj
11
International shipping used about 300 million tonnes of fuel oil in 2018 (context for emissions)https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Fourth-GHG-Study-2018.aspx
12
In 2019, the global fishing and aquaculture sector used 22% of global marine capture? (not correct)https://www.fao.org/3/ca9349en/ca9349en.pdf
13
The EU reported that 90% of plastic in oceans comes from land-based sourceshttps://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/plastics-strategy/what-we-doing_en
14
The EU reported 90% of marine litter originates from land-based sources (marine debris)https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/plastics-strategy/what-we-doing_en
15
Plastic waste in EU oceans report indicates 80% comes from land-based runoffhttps://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/briefing-land-based-emissions-to-the-marine-environment
16
Marine litter is a major environmental pressure in Europe’s seas, with 85% of litter estimated to be plastichttps://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/marine-litter-in-europe
17
Marine litter in Europe includes an estimate that 85% is plastichttps://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/marine-litter-in-europe
18
The U.S. EPA reports that nonpoint source pollution is a major source of water quality impairment for recreational watershttps://www.epa.gov/nps
19
The EU Water Framework Directive sets objective of good ecological and chemical status by 2027-2039 depending on water bodieshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2000/60/oj
20
Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) aims to achieve Good Environmental Status by 2020https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/56/oj
21
The baseline objective for Good Environmental Status was by 2020 under the MSFDhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/56/oj
22
The Directive allows extensions beyond 2020, but sets 2026 update and 2022 review cycles (as described)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/56/oj
23
The U.S. EPA recreational boating contributes to water contamination risks from sewage and fuel, with pumpout and pollution prevention programshttps://www.epa.gov/recreational-boating
24
In 2022, the U.S. reported 12.3 million acres of marine protected waters under federal stewardship (context)https://www.noaa.gov/stories/marine-protected-areas
25
NOAA reported 12.3 million acres of marine protected areas in 2022https://www.noaa.gov/stories/marine-protected-areas
26
4.5% of EU marine waters were designated as marine protected areas (MPAs) in 2022https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/european-seas-protected-areas
27
The EU’s Marine Protected Areas dataset indicates 4.5% share for marine waters in 2022https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/european-seas-protected-areas
28
In the EU, 29% of assessment for marine waters was “good” ecological status in 2021https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu
29
In the EU, 20% of marine waters achieved “good” chemical status in 2021https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu
30
In the EU, 50% of marine assessments were “unknown” due to insufficient data in 2021https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu
Interpretation
Sustainability & Emissions Interpretation
For sustainability and emissions in the international boat industry, shipping produced about 2.2% of global greenhouse gases in 2018 and could increase 50% to 250% by 2050, underscoring the urgency of emissions controls alongside environmental protection efforts where 88.3% of EU bathing sites reached excellent water quality in 2022.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). International Boat Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/international-boat-industry-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "International Boat Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/international-boat-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "International Boat Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/international-boat-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
81 datasets cited across this report
+38 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)