Water Transport Market Synopsis

Water Transport Market Size Was Valued at USD 608 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 1053.7 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 6.3% From 2024-2032.

Water Maritime transportation is the carriage of goods and people by water using waterborne mediums including the ocean, sea, river, and canal. This is due to increased internationalization in transport as it is involved mostly in transportation of bulk commodities, manufactured goods and people across long distances. Ship transportation involves a broad range of ships for carrying good like, cargo ships and tankers for transporting goods and a passenger ship for carrying people such as ferries and cruise ships. This mode of transport is characterized by economical in terms of cost in the long run, capacity for transporting bulky goods and is environmentally friendly compared to the other modes of transport. Water transport has a crucial role in globalization of commerce and business, movement of tourist and migrant population, and integration of regions, which places it among significant elements of the transport system.

•  As with any transport market, the water transport market includes a wide variety of services and vessels for carrying cargo and passengers over the world and on a regional level. The essential ones are the containers, which is a large vessel used to transport goods; the bulk carriers used to transport various items such as coal and grain; the tankers used to transport oil and chemicals; and the passengers that are used in cruises and ferries. This market experience varies according the global economic conditions, trade flow, fuel costs and environmental issues among others.
•  Recently the world of water transport observed new technologies in attempts to make this type of transport optimizers and more friendly toward the environment. Technological advancements in the design of ships, power and propulsion mechanisms, and in digitization have improved efficiency as well as safety. However, there are increased concerns regarding emissions of carbon and other related issues hence there is increased production of more efficient and cleaner generation of vessels. The market for water transportation is dynamic with the current steady rise in infrastructure including extension of canals and extension of ports to cater for the larger vessels. In conclusion, this sector still plays one of the key roles within the global logistics supply chain, providing a basis for global economic activity while continuing to develop ability to address new requirements of the global economy.

Water Transport Market Trend Analysis

Increasing focus on sustainability and environmental compliance

• Currently, the water transport market showing the tendency toward making stronger concentration on sustainable development and meeting all the ecological requirements. This trend is occasioned by the latest international standards which have been implemented with the intention of controlling green house emissions as well as pollution activities within the seas. The current regulation has been established by the IMO that aims to make significant reductions in carbon emissions by the shipping industry, to meet this goal the industry has started adopting various green technologies and different types of fuels.
•  These targets require increasing the utilization of LNG as a environmentally friendly alternative to either heavy fuel oil, or marine gas oil. Also, some innovations and developments in the areas of hybrid and full-electrical propulsion systems are investigated and applied. The industry is also continuing to develop technologies like WAP, hydrogen fuel cells and better hull shapes to advance fuel efficiency and decrease the effect on the environment. Such movement toward sustainable development is indispensable for the preservation of the environment together with great profitability in the long run when it comes to fuel consumption, as well as compliance with the environmental standards of the global community of nations.

Expansion and modernization of port infrastructure to accommodate larger and more advanced vessels

• An attractive vein in aqua transportation market is increasing and developing of tête infrastructure for receiving bigger and more rational ships. The present day container ships are very large and are still growing larger and there is a correspondent rise in the demand for efficient handling of these ships in the ports therefore many ports worldwide are improving on their ability and capacity to accommodate these ships. This involves enlarging harbours, increasing the space of docking amenities, as well as applying new features like automated cranes and wise logistics.
• Apart from increasing the general efficiency of the transport, these enhancements help to increase volume of cargo handling and overall stimulating trade and consequently supporting local markets. Further, the established modernized port having an efficient layout can accommodate the application of sustainable measures including Shore Power, a mechanism that permits separation of the ship’s engine from the electrical power supply during berthing hence decreasing emissions. This opportunity is especially important in emerging markets as extra development of port facilities adds more value than in developed markets and can become a driving force in the markets’ growth by increasing their competitiveness in the global trading systems.

Water Transport Market Segment Analysis:

Water Transport Market Segmented on the basis of type and application.

By Type, Inland Water Transport segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

• Out of all the water transport segments, the Inland Water Transport segment is expected to lead the growth in the market over the forecast period because of its operational advantages, cost efficiency, and eco-friendly nature along with rapidly rising infrastructures. IWT is a form of transport that employs rivers, canals, or any other inland water channel for the carriage of cargo and/or people as a better substitute for road and rail transport. As the investments in inland water infrastructure especially construction of new canal and modernization of the existing ones are on the rise, the capacity and efficiency of IWT are improving.
•  Further, Inland water transport is benefiting from integrating features of modern navigation and efficient handling of Cargoes in enhancing the reliability and safety of the means. Considering the fact that more countries are increasingly identifying the efficiency of inland waterways as an effective solution to traffic jam on roads and as a mean to reduce carbon footprints, the prospects of IWT services are expected to grow more in the future and therefore establish the dominance in the market.

By Application, Offshore segment expected to held the largest share

• Regarding the application, the offshore segment shall retain the largest share of the water transport market since demand for energy is increasing, and there is huge potential in the development of offshore and exploration of crude oils. Some of the important vessels include the support ships and supply ships, drilling unit, and other support vessels so important for the shipping of equipment’s and the workforce and any other material to the stations very offshore. Preliminary activities for the expansion in energy trouble and additionally the augmentation in the obligingness essential for vast and farther areas to ocean have spurred a colossal amount of money in improved and capable Offshore Vessels.
•  Further, the growth of the use of wind power in the form of renewable energy from offshore wind farms gives rise to the need for vessels required in the installation of the firms, maintenance, among others. Largely enforced by the petroleum,Segoe the proportionate demand of offshore in the water transport market displays an important segment compulsory to the energy industry as well as the change towards eco-fiendly source of power.

Water Transport Market Regional Insights:

North America is Expected to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast period

• This report also identified several factors that would likely see North America as the leader in the water transport market in the years to come. Leadership in this sector can be attributed to the regions sound harbour facilities, strategic location, and economically active area. An example of these plentiful major ports include the port of los angeles, the port of long beach, and new york new jersey port which are key players in the supply chain plan epodating large volumes of cargo.
•  Similarly, the continuous investment in port expansion as well as the modernization projects helps in increasing the ability of the region’s ports to handle the larger vessels and inturn increase the volumes of trades. Thus, advanced technologies, including automation and digitalization, raise operational efficiency and competitiveness in the industry. Additionally, the region North America along with higher demand for regulation of renewable energy sources and implementations has been of the pillars of the industry concentrating on the green and environmental solutions. These factors collectively help that North America continues to maintain its lion’s share in the water transport market and helps fostering further development of the same.

Active Key Players in the Water Transport Market

• CMA CGM Group (France)
• COSCO Shipping Corporation (China)
• Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan)
• Hapag-Lloyd AG (Germany)
• HMM (South Korea)
• Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) (Japan)
• Mediterranean Shipping Company (Switzerland)
• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Japan)
• NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha) (Japan)
• ONE (Ocean Network Express) (Japan)
• Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) (Hong Kong)
• Wan Hai Lines (Taiwan)
• Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Taiwan)
• ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (Israel)
• Other key Players

Chapter 1: Introduction
 1.1 Scope and Coverage

Chapter 2:Executive Summary

Chapter 3: Market Landscape
 3.1 Market Dynamics
  3.1.1 Drivers
  3.1.2 Restraints
  3.1.3 Opportunities
  3.1.4 Challenges
 3.2 Market Trend Analysis
 3.3 PESTLE Analysis
 3.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
 3.5 Industry Value Chain Analysis
 3.6 Ecosystem
 3.7 Regulatory Landscape
 3.8 Price Trend Analysis
 3.9 Patent Analysis
 3.10 Technology Evolution
 3.11 Investment Pockets
 3.12 Import-Export Analysis

Chapter 4: Water Transport Market by Type
 4.1 Water Transport Market Snapshot and Growth Engine
 4.2 Water Transport Market Overview
 4.3 Inland Water Transport
  4.3.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  4.3.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  4.3.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  4.3.4 Inland Water Transport: Geographic Segmentation Analysis
 4.4 Deep Sea
  4.4.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  4.4.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  4.4.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  4.4.4 Deep Sea: Geographic Segmentation Analysis
 4.5 Coastal
  4.5.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  4.5.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  4.5.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  4.5.4 Coastal: Geographic Segmentation Analysis
 4.6 Great Lakes
  4.6.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  4.6.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  4.6.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  4.6.4 Great Lakes: Geographic Segmentation Analysis

Chapter 5: Water Transport Market by Application
 5.1 Water Transport Market Snapshot and Growth Engine
 5.2 Water Transport Market Overview
 5.3 Offshore
  5.3.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  5.3.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  5.3.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  5.3.4 Offshore: Geographic Segmentation Analysis
 5.4 Onshore
  5.4.1 Introduction and Market Overview
  5.4.2 Historic and Forecasted Market Size in Value USD and Volume Units (2017-2032F)
  5.4.3 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  5.4.4 Onshore: Geographic Segmentation Analysis

Chapter 6: Company Profiles and Competitive Analysis
 6.1 Competitive Landscape
  6.1.1 Competitive Benchmarking
  6.1.2 Water Transport Market Share by Manufacturer (2023)
  6.1.3 Industry BCG Matrix
  6.1.4 Heat Map Analysis
  6.1.5 Mergers and Acquisitions
  
 6.2 CMA CGM GROUP (FRANCE)
  6.2.1 Company Overview
  6.2.2 Key Executives
  6.2.3 Company Snapshot
  6.2.4 Role of the Company in the Market
  6.2.5 Sustainability and Social Responsibility
  6.2.6 Operating Business Segments
  6.2.7 Product Portfolio
  6.2.8 Business Performance
  6.2.9 Key Strategic Moves and Recent Developments
  6.2.10 SWOT Analysis
 6.3 COSCO SHIPPING CORPORATION (CHINA)
 6.4 EVERGREEN MARINE CORPORATION (TAIWAN)
 6.5 HAPAG-LLOYD AG (GERMANY)
 6.6 HMM (SOUTH KOREA)
 6.7 KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA LTD (K" LINE) (JAPAN)
 6.8 MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY (SWITZERLAND)
 6.9 MITSUI O.S.K. LINES (JAPAN)
 6.10 NYK LINE (NIPPON YUSEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA) (JAPAN)
 6.11 ONE (OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS) (JAPAN)
 6.12 ORIENT OVERSEAS CONTAINER LINE (OOCL) (HONG KONG)
 6.13 WAN HAI LINES (TAIWAN)
 6.14 YANG MING MARINE TRANSPORT CORPORATION (TAIWAN)
 6.15 ZIM INTEGRATED SHIPPING SERVICES (ISRAEL)
 6.16 OTHER KEY PLAYERS

Chapter 7: Global Water Transport Market By Region
 7.1 Overview
 7.2. North America Water Transport Market
  7.2.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.2.2 Top Key Companies
  7.2.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.2.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.2.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.2.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.2.4.3 Coastal
   7.2.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.2.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.2.5.1 Offshore
   7.2.5.2 Onshore
  7.2.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.2.6.1 US
   7.2.6.2 Canada
   7.2.6.3 Mexico
 7.3. Eastern Europe Water Transport Market
  7.3.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.3.2 Top Key Companies
  7.3.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.3.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.3.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.3.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.3.4.3 Coastal
   7.3.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.3.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.3.5.1 Offshore
   7.3.5.2 Onshore
  7.3.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.3.6.1 Bulgaria
   7.3.6.2 The Czech Republic
   7.3.6.3 Hungary
   7.3.6.4 Poland
   7.3.6.5 Romania
   7.3.6.6 Rest of Eastern Europe
 7.4. Western Europe Water Transport Market
  7.4.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.4.2 Top Key Companies
  7.4.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.4.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.4.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.4.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.4.4.3 Coastal
   7.4.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.4.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.4.5.1 Offshore
   7.4.5.2 Onshore
  7.4.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.4.6.1 Germany
   7.4.6.2 UK
   7.4.6.3 France
   7.4.6.4 Netherlands
   7.4.6.5 Italy
   7.4.6.6 Russia
   7.4.6.7 Spain
   7.4.6.8 Rest of Western Europe
 7.5. Asia Pacific Water Transport Market
  7.5.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.5.2 Top Key Companies
  7.5.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.5.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.5.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.5.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.5.4.3 Coastal
   7.5.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.5.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.5.5.1 Offshore
   7.5.5.2 Onshore
  7.5.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.5.6.1 China
   7.5.6.2 India
   7.5.6.3 Japan
   7.5.6.4 South Korea
   7.5.6.5 Malaysia
   7.5.6.6 Thailand
   7.5.6.7 Vietnam
   7.5.6.8 The Philippines
   7.5.6.9 Australia
   7.5.6.10 New Zealand
   7.5.6.11 Rest of APAC
 7.6. Middle East & Africa Water Transport Market
  7.6.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.6.2 Top Key Companies
  7.6.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.6.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.6.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.6.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.6.4.3 Coastal
   7.6.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.6.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.6.5.1 Offshore
   7.6.5.2 Onshore
  7.6.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.6.6.1 Turkey
   7.6.6.2 Bahrain
   7.6.6.3 Kuwait
   7.6.6.4 Saudi Arabia
   7.6.6.5 Qatar
   7.6.6.6 UAE
   7.6.6.7 Israel
   7.6.6.8 South Africa
 7.7. South America Water Transport Market
  7.7.1 Key Market Trends, Growth Factors and Opportunities
  7.7.2 Top Key Companies
  7.7.3 Historic and Forecasted Market Size by Segments
  7.7.4 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Type
   7.7.4.1 Inland Water Transport
   7.7.4.2 Deep Sea
   7.7.4.3 Coastal
   7.7.4.4 Great Lakes
  7.7.5 Historic and Forecasted Market Size By Application
   7.7.5.1 Offshore
   7.7.5.2 Onshore
  7.7.6 Historic and Forecast Market Size by Country
   7.7.6.1 Brazil
   7.7.6.2 Argentina
   7.7.6.3 Rest of SA

Chapter 8 Analyst Viewpoint and Conclusion
8.1 Recommendations and Concluding Analysis
8.2 Potential Market Strategies

Chapter 9 Research Methodology
9.1 Research Process
9.2 Primary Research
9.3 Secondary Research

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