Tunnel Boring Machine Market by Product (Hard Ground TBM, Soft Ground TBM), Diameter (6 to 10 meters, Below 6 meters, Over 10 meters), Application - Global Forecast 2024-2030

Tunnel Boring Machine Market by Product (Hard Ground TBM, Soft Ground TBM), Diameter (6 to 10 meters, Below 6 meters, Over 10 meters), Application - Global Forecast 2024-2030


The Tunnel Boring Machine Market size was estimated at USD 6.93 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 7.46 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 8.23% to reach USD 12.06 billion by 2030.

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a highly specialized piece of equipment used for excavating tunnels in various types of geologies, from soft soil to hard rock. It is a complex, self-contained system capable of handling the entire tunneling process, including excavation, debris removal, and the placement of tunnel support structures. TBMs are chosen for their precision and efficiency, reducing the environmental impact when compared to traditional drill-and-blast methods. The use of TBMs is prevalent in projects such as the subway, railway, road, and water tunnels. Increasing urbanization and the need for improved public transportation, including railway and highway systems, drive demand for tunnel construction. In addition, increasing governments' focus on enhancing infrastructural facilities, including transportation and water conservation, contributes positively to market growth. However, the high cost of TBM equipment poses a notable barrier to entry for new players and affects adoption rates in cost-sensitive markets. Difficult terrain conditions and the complexity of projects can lead to operational delays and increased costs. Furthermore, continuous advancements in TBM technology lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in tunneling, encouraging the adoption of TBMs. Expansion into emerging markets with increasing urban infrastructure investments creates lucrative opportunities for market growth.

Regional Insights

In the American region, there is a significant focus on upgrading infrastructure and improving transportation networks. This has led to an increase in demand for tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for projects such as subway expansions and utility tunnels. Customers in this region prefer technologically advanced TBMs, highlighting the need for innovation and efficiency. There are increasing investments in research and development to enhance the performance of TBMs in challenging geological conditions. In addition, emphasis on hydropower projects and urban infrastructure development contributes to the market growth across the region. European Union (EU) countries have a substantial demand for TBMs driven by stringent EU regulations on environmental sustainability and urban development. EU customers demonstrate an inclination towards eco-friendly and energy-efficient tunneling solutions. Research initiatives focus on reducing the environmental footprint of tunnel construction. The Middle East is characterized by its investment in large-scale infrastructure projects, such as metro systems and water conveyance tunnels. Customers in this region prioritize high-capacity TBMs capable of working in extreme temperatures and abrasive geological conditions. Moreover, in the APAC region, China, India, and Japan are the largest shareholding countries attributed to their expansive infrastructure projects, including metro lines and water tunnels. The focus on domestic innovation has resulted in numerous patents for TBM technologies, enhancing the competitive edge in this market.

Market Insights

Market Dynamics

The market dynamics represent an ever-changing landscape of the Tunnel Boring Machine Market by providing actionable insights into factors, including supply and demand levels. Accounting for these factors helps design strategies, make investments, and formulate developments to capitalize on future opportunities. In addition, these factors assist in avoiding potential pitfalls related to political, geographical, technical, social, and economic conditions, highlighting consumer behaviors and influencing manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions.

Market Drivers
  • Growing railway and highway infrastructure development across economies
  • Continuous expansion of the mining sector worldwide
Market Restraints
  • High cost of development and deployment of TBMs
Market Opportunities
  • Technological advancements through automation and rock cutting technology
  • Potential demand for microtunneling for pipe installation
Market Challenges
  • Lack of flexibility and operational complexities associated with TBMs
Market Segmentation Analysis
  • Product: Growing applications of hard ground tunnel boring machines due to their ability to work in hard ground conditions
  • Diameter: Increasing potential of diameter over 10 meters for larger tunneling projects
  • Application: Rising utilization of TBMs in railway & highway construction activities across economies
Market Disruption Analysis
  • Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
  • Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
  • Pricing Analysis
  • Technology Analysis
  • Patent Analysis
  • Trade Analysis
  • Regulatory Framework Analysis
FPNV Positioning Matrix

The FPNV positioning matrix is essential in evaluating the market positioning of the vendors in the Tunnel Boring Machine Market. This matrix offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining critical metrics related to business strategy and product satisfaction. This in-depth assessment empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success, namely Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

Market Share Analysis

The market share analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth assessment of the current state of vendors in the Tunnel Boring Machine Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions, companies are offered a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. These contributions include overall revenue, customer base, and other vital metrics. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With these illustrative details, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Recent Developments

First Major Contract Awarded for SRL Tunnels

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East's inaugural tunnel project in Melbourne has taken a significant stride forward with the awarding of the USD 3.6 billion Tunnels South contract to an international consortium of tunneling experts, CPB Contractors, Ghella, and Acciona Construction. This development aims to become a standard in sustainability by ensuring that tunnel boring machines (TBMs) run on green energy by achieving a 20% reduction in emissions related to construction and materials.

VTA Purchases Tunnel Boring Machine for BSVII Project

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) planned to advance its BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSVII) project by purchasing a state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from the German manufacturer Herrenknecht AG. This formidable piece of engineering, priced at USD 76 million, stands as a marvel at nearly 54 feet in diameter and is specifically designed to meet the project's unique demands, which entails carving out a five-mile, twin-track tunnel complete with three station platforms.

Schnabel Engineering and JCK Underground Merge

Schnabel Engineering acquired JCK Underground, with both firms renowned for their excellence in tunnel, dam, geotechnical, and infrastructure engineering. This merger ushers in a new era of enhanced capabilities and extensive expertise as the two entities unite their rich histories. The resultant synergy is set to elevate service offerings, enrich client relationships, and spur innovative solutions amidst the dynamic demands of the tunnel engineering and construction industry.

Strategy Analysis & Recommendation

The strategic analysis is essential for organizations seeking a solid foothold in the global marketplace. Companies are better positioned to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations by thoroughly evaluating their current standing in the Tunnel Boring Machine Market. This critical assessment involves a thorough analysis of the organization’s resources, capabilities, and overall performance to identify its core strengths and areas for improvement.

Key Company Profiles

The report delves into recent significant developments in the Tunnel Boring Machine Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Akkerman, Inc., Caterpillar Inc., China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., EM Korea Co., Ltd., Galbiati Costruzioni Meccaniche S.r.l., Herrenknecht AG, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., IHI Corporation, Iseki Polytech, Inc., JIM Technology Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Komatsu Ltd., Master Builders Solutions Admixtures US, LLC, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Qinhuangdao Tianye Tolian Heavy Industry & Technology Co., Ltd., Robbins, Sika AG, TunnelPro S.p.A., Underground Infrastructure Technologies Corporation, and Xiamen XGMA Machinery Co., Ltd..

Market Segmentation & Coverage

This research report categorizes the Tunnel Boring Machine Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:
  • Product
  • Hard Ground TBM
  • Open TBM
  • Shield TBM
  • Soft Ground TBM
  • Earth Pressure Balance TBM
  • Open Face Type TBM
  • Slurry Shield TBM
  • Diameter
  • 6 to 10 meters
  • Below 6 meters
  • Over 10 meters
  • Application
  • Mining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Railway & Highway
  • Region
  • Americas
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • United States
  • California
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Australia
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Europe, Middle East & Africa
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom


Please Note: PDF & Excel + Online Access - 1 Year


1. Preface
1.1. Objectives of the Study
1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage
1.3. Years Considered for the Study
1.4. Currency & Pricing
1.5. Language
1.6. Stakeholders
2. Research Methodology
2.1. Define: Research Objective
2.2. Determine: Research Design
2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument
2.4. Collect: Data Source
2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation
2.6. Formulate: Data Verification
2.7. Publish: Research Report
2.8. Repeat: Report Update
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Overview
5. Market Insights
5.1. Market Dynamics
5.1.1. Drivers
5.1.1.1. Growing railway and highway infrastructure development across economies
5.1.1.2. Continuous expansion of the mining sector worldwide
5.1.2. Restraints
5.1.2.1. High cost of development and deployment of TBMs
5.1.3. Opportunities
5.1.3.1. Technological advancements through automation and rock cutting technology
5.1.3.2. Potential demand for microtunneling for pipe installation
5.1.4. Challenges
5.1.4.1. Lack of flexibility and operational complexities associated with TBMs
5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis
5.2.1. Product: Growing applications of hard ground tunnel boring machines due to their ability to work in hard ground conditions
5.2.2. Diameter: Increasing potential of diameter over 10 meters for larger tunneling projects
5.2.3. Application: Rising utilization of TBMs in railway & highway construction activities across economies
5.3. Market Trend Analysis
5.3.1. Rapid development of transport and utility infrastructure and government Investments supporting large-scale infrastructure projects in the Americas
5.3.2. Expanding infrastructural developments for road and railway transport coupled with strong foothold of major players in the APAC region
5.3.3. Expanding deployment across railway projects with the increasing development of novel tunnel boring machines in the EMEA region
5.4. Cumulative Impact of High Inflation
5.5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.5.1. Threat of New Entrants
5.5.2. Threat of Substitutes
5.5.3. Bargaining Power of Customers
5.5.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
5.5.5. Industry Rivalry
5.6. Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
5.7. Regulatory Framework Analysis
6. Tunnel Boring Machine Market, by Product
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Hard Ground TBM
6.3. Soft Ground TBM
7. Tunnel Boring Machine Market, by Diameter
7.1. Introduction
7.2. 6 to 10 meters
7.3. Below 6 meters
7.4. Over 10 meters
8. Tunnel Boring Machine Market, by Application
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Mining
8.3. Oil & Gas
8.4. Railway & Highway
9. Americas Tunnel Boring Machine Market
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Argentina
9.3. Brazil
9.4. Canada
9.5. Mexico
9.6. United States
10. Asia-Pacific Tunnel Boring Machine Market
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Australia
10.3. China
10.4. India
10.5. Indonesia
10.6. Japan
10.7. Malaysia
10.8. Philippines
10.9. Singapore
10.10. South Korea
10.11. Taiwan
10.12. Thailand
10.13. Vietnam
11. Europe, Middle East & Africa Tunnel Boring Machine Market
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Denmark
11.3. Egypt
11.4. Finland
11.5. France
11.6. Germany
11.7. Israel
11.8. Italy
11.9. Netherlands
11.10. Nigeria
11.11. Norway
11.12. Poland
11.13. Qatar
11.14. Russia
11.15. Saudi Arabia
11.16. South Africa
11.17. Spain
11.18. Sweden
11.19. Switzerland
11.20. Turkey
11.21. United Arab Emirates
11.22. United Kingdom
12. Competitive Landscape
12.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023
12.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023
12.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis
12.3.1. First Major Contract Awarded for SRL Tunnels
12.3.2. VTA Purchases Tunnel Boring Machine for BSVII Project
12.3.3. Schnabel Engineering and JCK Underground Merge
12.3.4. CMRL Launches First Tunnel Boring Machine for Corridor 4 at Light House
12.3.5. Largest TBM in Italy Launched to Bore 2 Km Tunnel on New Bari to Naples Line
12.3.6. Herrenknecht to Supply Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Tunnel Boring Machines
12.3.7. First Sydney Metro Project to use Specially Designed Tunnel Boring Machines
12.3.8. NHSRCL Signs Contract For Construction of India’s 1st Undersea Rail Tunnel
12.3.9. Delhi Metro Launches Tunnel Boring Machine 'Bhoomi' Under Phase-IV Project
12.3.10. Robbins Double Shield TBM Launches in Nepal
13. Competitive Portfolio
13.1. Key Company Profiles
13.2. Key Product Portfolio

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