Global Water Transport Market 2025–2034

Reports Description

Global Water Transport Market size was valued at USD 653.30 Billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 1014.41 Billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 2025 – 2034.

Water transport has been the basic method of moving goods, products, and people for thousands of years. Essential commodities such as coal, oil, and gas have been transported by ship and play a crucial role in maintaining a sustainable global economy.

]Approximately 80% of all goods are shipped by sea; most of them use containers. When compared to other shipping methods, the boat has a high capacity. This makes it cost-effective and efficient for transporting large, heavy, bulky goods with relatively low emissions.

The increasing demand for cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation solutions is driving the expansion of the water transportation market. Technological progress, including autonomous boats and digital navigation systems, powers efficiency and safety.

Emerging economies are strengthening trade through improved port infrastructure. Meanwhile, regulatory efforts are focused on reducing carbon emissions. Challenges such as fluctuating oil prices and geopolitical tensions shape the market dynamics and promote innovation and strategic cooperation.

Water Transport Market: Growth Factors

Sustainability and Green Shipping

The environmental concerns are intensifying across the globe. The demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly transport has thus become mainstream in the water transport market. Shipping companies are adopting new technology and using it more and more.

The goal is to reduce carbon emissions and reduce environmental impacts. Ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) are becoming increasingly popular as a cleaner alternative to conventional marine fuels, reducing sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Plus, propulsion systems that use the power of the wind to harness natural energy, such as sails or the hulls of large ships, combined with the boat to reduce gas emissions and fuel consumption and reduce the use of traditional fuels. Hybrid energy systems that use renewable energy sources such as solar power or batteries are also increasing.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set stricter regulations by 2050 compared to 2008 levels from ships in that year. With an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, these measures accelerate the transition to greener practices, forcing shipping companies to adopt cleaner deployments.

Expansion of Global Trade

The expansion of global trade is majorly driving the growth of the water transport market. As the global economy grows and various industries become more connected, the demand for cost-effective, high-capacity transport solutions increases.

With the ability to transport vast quantities of goods over long distances, water transport remains indispensable for international trade. Major shipping routes, including the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, and the Trans-Pacific Corridor, have seen increased activity, stimulating investment and modernization in port infrastructure to support large ships and smooth cargo movement.

Plus, intelligent technology in port operations integration increases efficiency and reduces response time, supporting increased trade volume and strengthening the role of water transport in world trade.

The most important shipping lanes in the world include the English Channel, Malacca Strait, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Panama Canal. It is essential to world trade, with 90% of goods transported by sea. Drought disruption geopolitical tensions and the latest blockade vulnerabilities revealed to increase flexibility Initiatives such as the World Economic Forum’s Global Supply Resilience Initiative aim to improve supply chain visibility through data sharing. Deal with congestion and reduce the risk of natural disasters, shipping delays and economic and social disruption.

Water Transport Market: Restraint

Climate Change Impacts

Climate change poses significant constraints to the water transport market, primarily through disruptive impacts on waterways and key infrastructure. Rising sea levels threaten the operations of ports and coastal facilities. Unstable weather patterns, including violent storms and unpredictable rain, disrupt the transportation schedule.

Increased transit time and damage to the product from protracted droughts, such as the impact on the Panama Canal, are causing the water level to decrease, limiting boat capacity and causing significant delays. It also happens that extreme weather events accelerate the erosion of ships and infrastructure.

This causes maintenance costs and insurance premiums to increase. The increasingly unpredictable climate complicates long-term planning and investment in water transport. This makes it difficult for stakeholders to be confident in their reliability and cost efficiency.

Lack of Infrastructure in Many Countries

Many countries don’t have the essential infrastructure required for water transport. It requires continuously flowing river systems and seacoast and port facilities. The many waterways and port facilities are not sufficiently equipped, outdated, or insufficiently maintained, leading to operational inefficiencies and limited capacity.

Furthermore, watery ways and port facilities require continuous maintenance. It also requires a skilled workforce. The cost of this professional workforce and maintenance is very high, increasing the overall cost of water transport.

Additionally, regulatory hurdles are delaying development projects. Every country has different rules and regulations about water transport. The global companies operating in the market are finding it very difficult to comply with such dynamic regulations, restraining the new market investment.

Water Transport Market: Opportunity

Technological Advancements

Digital transformation in maritime logistics offers immense opportunities for the water transport market by fixing inefficiencies and improving transparency. AI route optimization can hugely decrease fuel consumption and transit time.

For instance, the Maersk company uses AI to plot routes for global shipping. This enables companies to ensure that goods are not tampered with and have a clear record of everything in the supply chain. For instance, IBM’s Trade Lens platform enables easy documentation and data sharing across shipping stakeholders.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors enable real-time cargo tracking, shifting the traditional method into the future, where perishable goods and high-value shipments are tracked for enhanced handling. The many emerging startups are harnessing these technologies.

For instance, Nautilus Labs is an emerging startup enabling shipping companies to cut down on both operating costs and emissions, meaning that digital transformation is becoming a linchpin of sustainable growth in maritime logistics.

Water Transport Market: Segmentation Analysis

Based on Transport Type, the water transport market is segmented into freight transport and passenger transport. Freight transport accounts for a large part of the market, which refers to goods transported over waterways, from bulk goods to containerized and liquid cargo.

That segment benefits from the economies of scale associated with larger ships, which can move enormous cargo volumes over long distances and is vital to international trade. Passenger transport, in contrast, moves travellers and tourists, usually by ferry, cruise ship, and other passenger vessels.

The growth of passenger transport, as a result of rising global tourism, has been significantly driven by increasing demand for cruises but is also driven by passengers. This growth is particularly likely to occur in areas known for coastal tourism. Both segments rely on infrastructure development, fuel efficiency improvements, and regulations focused on advancing environmental sustainability; however, the increasing investment in green technologies reduces emissions and enhances operational efficiency.

Report Scope

Water Transport Market: Regional Analysis

By Region, the global water transport market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Among these, the Asia Pacific region held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period.

This is driven by the region’s expanding business activities, strong industrial base and strategic geographic advantage. There is also considerable investment in the development of inland waterways. The increase in container shipping, along with the increasing demand for transporting bulk cargoes such as coal, oil and grains, is fuelling the water transport market expansion.

Moreover, sustainable practices such as adopting friendly transport technologies for the environment and integrating digital solutions for custom logistics are shaping the competition and supporting the region’s long-term growth in the maritime transport sector.

The European water transport market is showing remarkable growth, driven by increasing demand for sustainable and efficient travel options with water transport, including ferry river cruises and private boat service, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ground transport.

This is in line with increasing environmental concerns across the continent. Moreover, tourism is important in creating luxury demand for ferry services and private boat rentals, expanding the market. Government initiatives promoting sustainable maritime transport coupled with technological advancements in electric boats and digital booking platforms are set to boost market growth.

Emphasizing sustainability and innovation, the regional market addresses leisure and commercial needs. For instance, recently the UBER company has launched its “limo boat” that takes people around the Venetian lagoon in Venice, Italy, in Greece. “Uber boat” service to Athens, Corfu and Santorini as it expands, bringing tourists to beach clubs and more remote areas. Uber also plans to offer Seine River cruises in Paris.

Water Transport Market: Recent Developments

• In Nov 2024, Kuehne+Nagel acquired a 51% stake in IMC Logistics, a leading US ocean management provider specializing in multimodal transportation. This strategic move enhances Kuehne+Nagel’s maritime logistics offerings by strengthening its access to major U.S. ports and rail hubs. IMC processes 2 million TEUs annually at the location.

• In Nov 2023, Cargill Ocean Transportation expanded its operations in India, a key maritime hub, with the opening of a new office in Pune. The facility is home to 25 experts overseeing global business operations. Added office in Bangalore strengthens ties with India’s shipping community and leverages Pune’s capabilities in line with the company’s growth and customer-focused strategy.

• Recently, Roboat, a spin-out from MIT and AMS, received USD 610,000 in funding to develop autonomous water transport. The company develops AI-powered systems for urban and land waterways. It offers solutions for passenger transport. Freight transport and garbage collection reduce carbon emissions and the company’s technology enhances situational awareness, decision-making and autonomous navigation, addressing challenges such as staffing shortages and high operating costs.

List of the prominent players in the Water Transport Market:

• P. Møller-Mærsk A/S
• American Commercial Barge Line Inc.
• Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd.
• Cargill Incorporated
• China Ocean Shipping Company Limited
• CMA CGM S. A.
• COSCO Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd.
• Evergreen Marine Corp
• Flexport Inc.
• Freightos Ltd.
• Hapag-Lloyd AG
• Hyundai Merchant Marine Co.
• Ingram Barge Company Ltd.
• K-Line
• Kuehne + Nagel International AG.
• Mediterranean Shipping Company Ltd.
• MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company Inc.
• Nippon Yusen
• Wärtsilä Voyage Inc.
• Others

The Water Transport Market is segmented as follows:

By Transport Type     

• Freight Transport
• Passenger Transport

By Type          

• Inland Water Transport
• Deep Sea
• Coastal
• Great Lakes

By Propulsion Type   

• Diesel-powered
• LNG-powered
• Hybrid and Electric-powered
• Others (Nuclear, Hydrogen)

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America