Hands-Free Underwater Thruster Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Type (Motorized Thruster, Hybrid Thruster, Propeller Thruster, Impeller Thruster), Application (Underwater Adventure, Military, Underwater Operations, Underwater Rescue and Other

Hands-Free Underwater Thruster Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Type (Motorized Thruster, Hybrid Thruster, Propeller Thruster, Impeller Thruster), Application (Underwater Adventure, Military, Underwater Operations, Underwater Rescue and Other Applications) and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Hands-Free Underwater Thruster Market is growing at a CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period. A hands-free underwater thruster is a type of propulsion device used in aquatic environments that allows for efficient underwater navigation without the need for human assistance. These are usually used in underwater drones, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Additionally, it improves the capabilities of underwater exploration, inspection, and research by doing away with the requirement for direct human control. Overall, hands-free underwater thrusters contribute cutting-edge technologies like sonar or computer vision to enable accurate and effective movement in difficult aquatic environments.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rise in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVS) demand

Hands-free underwater thrusters enable precise and automated control, allowing AUVs to navigate complex underwater environments with minimal human intervention. They are used in a variety of fields, including defense, oceanography, and the offshore industry. In addition, as technology continues to advance, these thrusters incorporate innovations such as intelligent sensors and sophisticated control algorithms, enhancing the AUVs' maneuverability and performance, which drive this market size.

Restraint:

Environmental hazards

The underwater vehicles equipped with thrusters can potentially contribute to environmental degradation in several ways. There's a risk of chemical contamination from the materials used in thruster construction, such as lubricants, coatings, or metals, adversely affecting marine ecosystems. Additionally, the physical disturbance caused by the movement of AUVs with powerful thrusters may disrupt fragile underwater habitats, such as coral reefs or seabed ecosystems, creating noise and disturbing marine life, which is hampering the market.

Opportunity:

Increase in offshore industries

Offshore industries rely on hands-free underwater thrusters to increase AUVs for various critical tasks, including subsea inspections, pipeline maintenance, and environmental monitoring. They enable these vehicles to operate autonomously, reducing the need for constant human intervention and contributing to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of underwater operations. Moreover, these technologies enhance operational capabilities, reduce human risks, and meet the demands of offshore exploration and production in a variety of industrial contexts, which are propelling this market size.

Threat:

Limited awareness and education

Despite technological advancements, potential users and research institutions may lack awareness of the benefits and capabilities of hands-free underwater thrusters. The education and training required to operate and maintain hands-free underwater thrusters may be limited in the area. Furthermore, the technology behind these thrusters can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and skills to utilize them effectively. Insufficient knowledge about the uses, benefits of operations, and long-term financial gains could hinder the expansion of the market.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in projects, decreased investments in underwater exploration, and disruptions in global supply chains, all of which have had a negative effect on the hands-free underwater thruster market. The reduction in industrial activities brought about by lockdowns and restrictions had an impact on the demand for autonomous underwater vehicles. Additionally, the economic downturn prompted budget constraints in research and development, which hindered field operations.

The hybrid thruster segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The hybrid thruster segment is estimated to hold the largest share, due to a cutting-edge propulsion technology that blends electric and conventional propulsion systems. The hybrid configuration enables seamless transitions allowing for enhanced energy efficiency and extended operational endurance. In addition, one of the key advantages of hybrid thrusters is their adaptability to various underwater applications, including use in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), particularly well-suited for tasks such as subsea inspections and research in diverse underwater environments which are boosting this segment growth.

The underwater operations segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The underwater operations segment is anticipated to have highest CAGR during the forecast period. These advanced propulsion systems find extensive applications in underwater operations across various industries, contributing to enhanced efficiency, safety, and maneuverability. This covers duties like maintenance, surveillance, and submerged exploration. Furthermore, these underwater thrusters enable researchers to conduct precise and autonomous data collection in oceanography, marine biology, and environmental sciences beneath the water's surface, thereby significantly driving this segment’s expansion.

Region with largest share:

Asia Pacific commanded the largest market share during the extrapolated period. The region is known for its extensive coastline and abundant marine resources, which has led to increased demand for underwater exploration and research activities. These thrusters are widely used in marine research and exploration, offshore oil and gas industries, military and defense operations, and environmental monitoring. Moreover, some governments in the region are taking initiatives to promote the development and adoption of autonomous technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sophisticated sensor systems, which are boosting this region.

Region with highest CAGR:

Europe is expected to witness highest CAGR over the projection period, owing to government programs that support the development of underwater technology. These programs, which are a part of research, defense, and environmental initiatives, provide funding to support the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with hands-free thrusters. Some of the major key players, including Subsea 7, Teledyne Technologies, Kongsberg Group, and Bluefin Robotics, also contribute to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. In addition, collaboration between research institutions and government initiatives further propels this region’s expansion.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in the Hands-Free Underwater Thruster Market include Teledyne Marine, CudaJet, Subsea 7, Oceaneering International, Kongsberg Maritime, Bluefin Robotics, Aquarobotman, Saab Seaeye, Scubajet and Zapata.

Key Developments:

In October 2023, Kongsberg Maritime and BMA Technology have formed a strategic collaboration alliance to support the supply of low voltage electrical products and engineering services to Turkish shipyards.

In August 2023, Zapata AI, a software company building solutions to enterprises’ most computationally complex problems, announced it has entered a strategic alliance with IonQ, an industry leader in quantum computing hardware and commercial quantum application development.

In July 2023, Teledyne Marine, a global leader in underwater technology, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated annual photo and data contest, which invites participants worldwide to capture the breathtaking beauty of the underwater realm through their lenses.

In January 2023, SCUBAJET announces a new Performance Series and unveils revolutionary Hybridboard. The revolutionary board combines e-Foil and e-Surf in the ultimate combo.

Types Covered:
• Motorized Thruster
• Hybrid Thruster
• Propeller Thruster
• Impeller Thruster

Applications Covered:
• Underwater Adventure
• Military
• Underwater Operations
• Underwater Rescue
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements