Global Ship Repair and Maintenance Services Market 2024-2031

Global Ship Repair and Maintenance Services Market 2024-2031

Ship Repair and Maintenance Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Vessel Type (Commercial Vessel, and Naval Vessel), by Service Type (General Services, Electric Works, Dockage, Auxiliary Services, Engine Part Maintenance, and Others), and by End-User (Government & Defense, and Commercial) Forecast Period (2024-2031)

Ship repair and maintenance services market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The global market is driven by the rising investment in building shipyard infrastructure, aging marine fleets, increasing maritime trade, and government initiatives to tighten ship maintenance and repair norms for environmental sustainability. Further, the market is expected to be positively influenced by the integration of robotics and IoT devices for repair & maintenance works. The growing trend for predictive maintenance, and the development of specialized facilities for several vessel types such as container ships, oil tankers, and cruise liners is further aiding the global market growth.

Market Dynamics

Increasing Maritime Trade Creating Demand for Ship Repair & Maintenance

The rebound and growth of maritime trade post-pandemic has highly influenced the ship repair and maintenance service market. The increase in circulation of naval fleets for global trade necessitates regular maintenance and contingent repair works for keeping fleets operational and evading possible breakdowns. For instance, as per the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, cargo handling in national waterways has grown by more than 1700.0% to 126.1 million metric tons (MMT) in 2022–23 from 6.83 MMT in 2013–14. wherein, as reported by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in 2020, due to the fallout of COVID-19, international maritime trade contracted by nearly 4.0%, which saw a rebound in 2022 with the global economy starting to recover and continued consumer spending, along with an easing in pandemic-related restrictions, causing maritime trade to grow by 3.2%, reaching a total of 11.0 billion tons, close to pre-pandemic levels.

Advancement in Ship Repair and Maintenance Technology

The ship repair and maintenance service market is constantly experiencing technological advancements such as the integration of predictive maintenance solutions, the use of IoT and robotics, the digitalization of maintenance operation and data, and the integration of AI (artificial intelligence) & ML (machine learning) technology among others. The advancement has benefited the market through prior identification of potential breakdowns, increasing operational efficiency, cost savings, and customizing service offerings among others. Further, the adoption of condition monitoring systems and predictive analytics are expected to optimize maintenance schedules and reduce unplanned downtime. For instance, in February 2024, the Royal Navy signed a 15-year $2.3 billion contract with defense firm Thales to offer AI-powered maintenance for Thales-built systems in its fleet. Its ambitious goal is to minimize turnaround times for shipboard repairs by an average of 100 days, shorten spare component lead times by 44 days, and increase dependability by 10.0%.

Segmental Outlook

Based on vessel type, the market is segmented into commercial vessels and naval vessels.

Based on service type, the market is segmented into general services, electric works, dockage, auxiliary services, engine part maintenance, and others (emergency collision repairs, and hull part maintenance).

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into government & defense, and commercial.

Naval Vessel is the Most Prominent Vessel Type

The naval vessel market is expected to dominate the vessel type segment owing to the increasing number of defense vessels such as submarines, aircraft carriers, and combat vessels among others. The growing investment by defense organizations in modernizing and upgrading naval vessels is likely to drive the growth of this market segment. For instance, in January 2024, the Pentagon stated that Fincantieri Marine Repair was one of nine businesses awarded contracts for the repair, maintenance, and modernization of the US Navy's non-nuclear surface ships homeported or visiting the Northwest US. The overall value of the multiple award contracts is $943 million. The scope of work includes continuous maintenance, emergency maintenance, and Chief of Naval Operations availabilities that are fewer than 10 months in duration.

General Service is the Biggest Service Type Segment

The general service segment is expected to lead the market owing to its large number of service contracts and economic costs. The service includes painting, coating, and general inspections among others. It is also expected to grow basis regular inspection requirements across various ships, and regulatory frameworks for scheduled general maintenance of marine vessels.

Regional Outlook

The global ship repair and maintenance services market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

North America Holds Major Share in Global Ship Repair and Maintenance Service Market

North America leads the global ship repair and maintenance service market owing to constant investment by the US government to strengthen shipyard infrastructure and exponential increase in North American naval fleet. The growing collaboration by the defense department with international repair and maintenance companies for vessel maintenance, increasing the naval budget for vessel development and maintenance, and the geopolitical position of the region are other contributors to the regional market growth. For instance, in July 2022, the Small Shipyard Grant Program, administered by the US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD), awarded $19.6 million in grants to 24 small shipyards in 19 states. The monies will assist grantees in modernizing, increasing production, and expanding local job possibilities while competing in the global marketplace.

Asia-Pacific is the Fastest Growing Ship Repair and Maintenance Service Market

The Asia-Pacific regional market is expected to grow attributed to its geographical location, which holds a significant place in global trade, and geopolitical matters.

The Asia-Pacific countries such as China, India, and South Korea hold a significant place in the ship modernization and repair market owing to the presence of companies such as HD Hyundai, China Shipbuilding, and Cochin Shipyard catering to a large client base for ship repair export and domestic maintenance.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies serving the global ship repair and maintenance services market include BAE Systems plc, China Shipbuilding End-User Corp., Damen Shipyards Group, Fincantieri S.p.A., and Sembcorp Industries Ltd. among others. The market players are focusing on capitalizing on growth by adopting strategies such as collaboration, partnerships, and market expansion among others. For instance, in February 2024, BAE Systems signed an agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) to supply repair and maintenance services for the Danish Army's CV90s for 15 years. BAE Systems will update the infantry fighting vehicles' operability under the agreement, which is worth around $400.0 million. The arrangement includes repair and maintenance services for the Danish Army's fleet of 44 CV90s, as well as the delivery of spare parts at a period when the service's operational tempo remains high.