GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marine Industry Statistics

Marine industry valued at $500 billion, dominates global trade and innovation.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

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Marine fuel consumption accounts for roughly 2-3% of global CO2 emissions

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The number of zero-emission ships under construction globally reached over 70 by 2023

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The annual global volume of recycled ships exceeds 1 million gross tons, contributing to sustainable shipbreaking practices

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The global marine industry is valued at approximately $500 billion

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Container shipping accounted for around 150 million TEUs globally in 2022

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The maritime industry is responsible for approximately 80% of bulk goods transported worldwide

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The total number of ports worldwide exceeds 1,400, hosting over 10 billion tons of cargo annually

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The maritime insurance market is valued at approximately $15 billion globally

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The number of offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide exceeds 1,300

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The average waiting time for ships to dock at major ports has been reduced by 15% over the past five years due to automation

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Ports implementing automated container handling systems have seen throughput increases of up to 30%

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The maritime industry employs about 1.65 million seafarers worldwide

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The Asia-Pacific region dominates the maritime shipping industry, representing over 60% of global container throughput

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The global shipbuilding market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2025

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LNG shipping accounts for roughly 12% of the world’s seaborne trade

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The cruise industry generated over $40 billion in revenue in 2022

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The global yacht market is valued at approximately $15 billion, with a growth rate of about 4% annually

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Marine technology investments reached over $5 billion globally in 2022

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The global market for marine safety equipment is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026

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Approximately 2 million seafarers are employed on ships globally

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The global demand for maritime cybersecurity solutions is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027

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The dry bulk cargo transported annually exceeds 3 billion tons worldwide

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The total global investment in ship retrofitting for enhanced environmental compliance exceeded $10 billion in 2022

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The global port automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030

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Marine renewable energy, including wave and tidal power, is expected to generate over 50 GW globally by 2030

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The global market for marine coatings is projected to reach $10 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 5%

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The average vessel speed has decreased from 19 knots to about 15 knots over the past decade to improve fuel efficiency

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The global market share of electric and hybrid ships is expected to reach 10% by 2030

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The average cost of constructing a commercial ship ranges from $50 million to $150 million, depending on size and type

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The number of new ship orders increased by 8% in 2022 compared to the previous year

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The global offshore renewable energy sector expects to see investments exceeding $30 billion annually by 2030

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The number of maritime jobs expected to grow by 7% annually up to 2030, driven mainly by offshore wind projects

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The use of blockchain technology in maritime logistics is projected to save the industry over $17 billion annually by 2027

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The number of cyberattack incidents targeting maritime industries increased by 35% from 2021 to 2023

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The global demand for crew management software in the maritime industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2026

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The global maritime satellite communications market is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8%

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Marine biofouling management solutions market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% to reach $1.2 billion by 2027

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Over 90% of world trade by volume is carried by sea

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The maritime shipping fleet comprises over 60,000 vessels worldwide

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The average age of the global merchant fleet is approximately 11 years

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The average lifespan of a commercial vessel is about 25-30 years

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The number of registered merchant ships worldwide has grown by approximately 3% annually over the past decade

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The European maritime industry accounts for about 20% of the world's shipping and shipbuilding activities

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Over 70% of the global fleet's cargo is transported via container ships

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The number of autonomous ships under development or trial exceeds 20 as of 2023

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The number of ships fitted with ballast water treatment systems increased by over 50% between 2018 and 2022

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The newbuild vessel orderbook capacity as of 2023 represents roughly 20% of the existing fleet, indicating industry expansion

Statistic 48

The average age of ships lost due to accidents has decreased to below 10 years, indicating improved safety standards

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Key Highlights

  • The global marine industry is valued at approximately $500 billion
  • Over 90% of world trade by volume is carried by sea
  • The maritime shipping fleet comprises over 60,000 vessels worldwide
  • Container shipping accounted for around 150 million TEUs globally in 2022
  • The average age of the global merchant fleet is approximately 11 years
  • The maritime industry employs about 1.65 million seafarers worldwide
  • The Asia-Pacific region dominates the maritime shipping industry, representing over 60% of global container throughput
  • The global shipbuilding market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2025
  • LNG shipping accounts for roughly 12% of the world’s seaborne trade
  • The average lifespan of a commercial vessel is about 25-30 years
  • Marine fuel consumption accounts for roughly 2-3% of global CO2 emissions
  • The number of registered merchant ships worldwide has grown by approximately 3% annually over the past decade
  • The number of offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide exceeds 1,300

The maritime industry, a $500 billion global powerhouse responsible for over 90% of world trade, is sailing into a new era of innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Environmental Impact and Sustainable Shipping

  • Marine fuel consumption accounts for roughly 2-3% of global CO2 emissions
  • The number of zero-emission ships under construction globally reached over 70 by 2023
  • The annual global volume of recycled ships exceeds 1 million gross tons, contributing to sustainable shipbreaking practices

Environmental Impact and Sustainable Shipping Interpretation

While marine fuel consumption still fuels 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, the surge of over 70 zero-emission ships underway and the recycling of over a million gross tons annually suggest that the industry is steering toward greener waters, albeit with plenty of ballast to shed.

Maritime Industry Market Overview and Valuations

  • The global marine industry is valued at approximately $500 billion
  • Container shipping accounted for around 150 million TEUs globally in 2022
  • The maritime industry is responsible for approximately 80% of bulk goods transported worldwide
  • The total number of ports worldwide exceeds 1,400, hosting over 10 billion tons of cargo annually
  • The maritime insurance market is valued at approximately $15 billion globally

Maritime Industry Market Overview and Valuations Interpretation

With a $500 billion valuation steering 80% of the world's bulk goods through 1,400 ports and 150 million TEUs annually, the maritime industry is undeniably the heavyweight champion of global trade—insured for $15 billion to keep it afloat amid turbulent waters.

Maritime Infrastructure and Technology Developments

  • The number of offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide exceeds 1,300
  • The average waiting time for ships to dock at major ports has been reduced by 15% over the past five years due to automation
  • Ports implementing automated container handling systems have seen throughput increases of up to 30%

Maritime Infrastructure and Technology Developments Interpretation

As offshore platforms surpass 1,300 and automation propels port efficiencies with up to a 30% boost, the maritime industry is charting a course toward a smarter, faster, and more resilient future—though the tide of change calls for vigilant navigation.

Market Trends, Investments, and Future Outlook

  • The maritime industry employs about 1.65 million seafarers worldwide
  • The Asia-Pacific region dominates the maritime shipping industry, representing over 60% of global container throughput
  • The global shipbuilding market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2025
  • LNG shipping accounts for roughly 12% of the world’s seaborne trade
  • The cruise industry generated over $40 billion in revenue in 2022
  • The global yacht market is valued at approximately $15 billion, with a growth rate of about 4% annually
  • Marine technology investments reached over $5 billion globally in 2022
  • The global market for marine safety equipment is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026
  • Approximately 2 million seafarers are employed on ships globally
  • The global demand for maritime cybersecurity solutions is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027
  • The dry bulk cargo transported annually exceeds 3 billion tons worldwide
  • The total global investment in ship retrofitting for enhanced environmental compliance exceeded $10 billion in 2022
  • The global port automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030
  • Marine renewable energy, including wave and tidal power, is expected to generate over 50 GW globally by 2030
  • The global market for marine coatings is projected to reach $10 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 5%
  • The average vessel speed has decreased from 19 knots to about 15 knots over the past decade to improve fuel efficiency
  • The global market share of electric and hybrid ships is expected to reach 10% by 2030
  • The average cost of constructing a commercial ship ranges from $50 million to $150 million, depending on size and type
  • The number of new ship orders increased by 8% in 2022 compared to the previous year
  • The global offshore renewable energy sector expects to see investments exceeding $30 billion annually by 2030
  • The number of maritime jobs expected to grow by 7% annually up to 2030, driven mainly by offshore wind projects
  • The use of blockchain technology in maritime logistics is projected to save the industry over $17 billion annually by 2027
  • The number of cyberattack incidents targeting maritime industries increased by 35% from 2021 to 2023
  • The global demand for crew management software in the maritime industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2026
  • The global maritime satellite communications market is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8%
  • Marine biofouling management solutions market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% to reach $1.2 billion by 2027

Market Trends, Investments, and Future Outlook Interpretation

With over 1.65 million seafarers steering an industry increasingly propelled by Asia-Pacific dominance, technological innovation, and environmental ambitions—ranging from billion-dollar shipbuilding to renewable energy—maritime's future is charted not just by navigating oceans but by navigating a sea of evolving opportunities and mounting cyber and safety challenges.

Shipping Fleet and Operations Data

  • Over 90% of world trade by volume is carried by sea
  • The maritime shipping fleet comprises over 60,000 vessels worldwide
  • The average age of the global merchant fleet is approximately 11 years
  • The average lifespan of a commercial vessel is about 25-30 years
  • The number of registered merchant ships worldwide has grown by approximately 3% annually over the past decade
  • The European maritime industry accounts for about 20% of the world's shipping and shipbuilding activities
  • Over 70% of the global fleet's cargo is transported via container ships
  • The number of autonomous ships under development or trial exceeds 20 as of 2023
  • The number of ships fitted with ballast water treatment systems increased by over 50% between 2018 and 2022
  • The newbuild vessel orderbook capacity as of 2023 represents roughly 20% of the existing fleet, indicating industry expansion
  • The average age of ships lost due to accidents has decreased to below 10 years, indicating improved safety standards

Shipping Fleet and Operations Data Interpretation

With over 90% of global trade traversing the seas in a fleet that's aging around 11 years, yet increasing in number and sophistication—including autonomous vessels and greener ballast systems—the maritime industry is charting a course between tradition and innovation with safety standards sailing higher than ever.

Sources & References