Digital Shipyard

Global Digital Shipyard Market to Reach US$6.4 Billion by 2030

The global market for Digital Shipyard estimated at US$1.8 Billion in the year 2023, is expected to reach US$6.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.5% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Military Shipyard, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 19.0% CAGR and reach US$3.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Commercial Shipyard segment is estimated at 20.3% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$508.4 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 18.5% CAGR

The Digital Shipyard market in the U.S. is estimated at US$508.4 Million in the year 2023. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$960.6 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 18.5% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 17.1% and 16.6% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 14.2% CAGR.

Global Digital Shipyard Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

How Are Digital Shipyards Transforming the Maritime Industry?
Digital shipyards leverage advanced technologies such as IoT, digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR) to modernize shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair processes, creating efficiencies across the entire lifecycle of a vessel. By incorporating IoT sensors and digital twins, shipyards gain real-time insights into the structural health and performance of ships, allowing for predictive maintenance and optimizing vessel design. Digital twins, which provide a virtual replica of a ship, enable shipbuilders to simulate different scenarios, identify potential design flaws, and test performance under various conditions before construction even begins. This approach not only reduces production time and cost but also enhances safety and operational reliability.

Furthermore, digital shipyard technology supports enhanced resource management and workflow automation, streamlining the complex processes involved in shipbuilding. AI-powered analytics optimize materials planning and production schedules, minimizing waste and downtime. AR and VR tools also aid shipyard workers by providing real-time, hands-free guidance on complex tasks, reducing errors and training time. As global trade and naval requirements grow, digital shipyards are set to revolutionize shipbuilding by introducing new efficiencies, increasing adaptability, and addressing the rising demand for more advanced, fuel-efficient vessels that meet modern standards.

What Role Do AR, VR, and AI Play in Digital Shipyards?
Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are integral to the success of digital shipyards, offering tools that enhance precision, safety, and training. AR overlays digital information onto real-world shipyard environments, allowing workers to access real-time instructions, measurements, and design plans directly within their field of view, significantly reducing time spent on complex tasks. VR, on the other hand, is widely used for training and simulation, allowing shipyard workers to practice tasks in a safe, virtual environment before performing them in real life, which minimizes on-site risks and improves skill acquisition.

AI applications in digital shipyards extend to predictive maintenance, materials management, and quality control. By analyzing historical and real-time data from IoT sensors, AI can predict when a component or system is likely to fail, allowing shipyards to perform maintenance only when necessary, reducing downtime. Additionally, AI-powered data analytics improve decision-making in design and construction, identifying optimal materials and processes based on real-time insights. These technologies are central to digital shipyards, providing the data-driven insights needed to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety throughout the vessel lifecycle.

Why Are Digital Shipyards Gaining Momentum in the Global Market?
Digital shipyards are gaining traction globally as maritime industries seek to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. As the demand for advanced, sustainable vessels rises, shipbuilders and naval forces are turning to digital technologies to streamline workflows, improve design accuracy, and meet regulatory requirements. By using digital twins and IoT-enabled tracking, shipyards can reduce lead times and better coordinate supply chains, which is particularly beneficial in a sector where delays can significantly impact budgets and schedules. The ability to simulate entire shipbuilding processes virtually also allows shipyards to identify and mitigate issues proactively, improving build quality and reducing rework.

The need for sustainable operations is another key factor driving the adoption of digital shipyards. With regulations tightening on emissions and energy consumption, digital solutions provide the tools to monitor and manage environmental impact. By optimizing fuel usage and reducing material waste, digital shipyards align with the industry’s shift toward greener practices. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the push for digital solutions, as shipyards faced labor shortages and safety concerns. Digital tools have enabled remote monitoring and collaboration, facilitating work continuity even under challenging circumstances. As global trade and defense needs expand, digital shipyards are positioned as essential tools in building the efficient, sustainable vessels of the future.

How Are Digital Shipyards Shaping the Future of Shipbuilding?
Digital shipyards are set to redefine the future of shipbuilding by creating a more connected, efficient, and sustainable industry. With the use of digital twins and IoT, shipyards can monitor every aspect of the vessel’s lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance, allowing for continuous optimization and improvement. Predictive maintenance capabilities, powered by AI and machine learning, help shipbuilders manage wear and tear proactively, reducing downtime and extending vessel lifespan. This data-driven approach is poised to reduce costs and improve resource allocation, making shipbuilding more financially sustainable.

Furthermore, as global efforts to reduce carbon footprints intensify, digital shipyards play a critical role in advancing eco-friendly practices within the maritime industry. By optimizing fuel consumption, managing energy usage, and reducing waste, digital shipyards enable compliance with environmental regulations and support sustainable shipping. The continued adoption of AR, VR, and blockchain in shipyards will facilitate remote collaboration, transparent supply chain tracking, and more efficient logistics. As shipbuilding demands grow more complex, digital shipyards provide a blueprint for innovation, ensuring the maritime industry can meet the evolving demands of global commerce, defense, and environmental standards.

Select Competitors (Total 36 Featured) -

• Accenture
• Altair Engineering, Inc.
• Aras Corporation
• Aveva Group Plc
• Bae Systems
• Damen Shipyards Group
• Dassault Systemes
• Hexagon
• Ibaset
• IFS AB
• Inmarsat Plc
• Kranendonk Smart Robotics
• Kreyon Systems Pvt Ltd.
• Kuka AG
• Pemamek Ltd.
• Prostep AG
• SAP AG
• Siemens AG
• SSI
• Wartsila

Please note: Reports are sold as single-site single-user licenses. Electronic versions require 24-48 hours as each copy is customized to the client with digital controls and custom watermarks. The Publisher uses digital controls protecting against copying and printing is restricted to one full copy to be used at the same location.

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. Upon ordering an electronic version, the Publisher will provide a link to download the purchased report.

Prior to fulfillment of an order, the client will be required to sign a document detailing the purchase terms for a publication from this publisher.