South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Component (Hardware and Software), By Level of Autonomy (Semi-Autonomous and Fully-Autonomous), and South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Size was Estimated at USD 2.3 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.40% from 2025 to 2035
• The South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 4.1 Billion by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the South Korea Autonomous Ships Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 4.1 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 5.40% from 2025 to 2035. The market is being driven by the growing need for automation, which may improve the effectiveness of a number of maritime operations, including maintenance, cargo handling, and navigation.

Market Overview

In the South Korean market for autonomous ships, innovative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, sensors, and remote-control systems are used to create, commercialize, and operate ships that can navigate without human assistance. This market includes all of the components that go into making maritime transportation a safer, more effective, and more sustainable sector, such as infrastructure, shipbuilding, navigation systems, and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, the market's demand is driven by the quick advancements in connectivity infrastructure, including as 5G networks and satellite communication, which are essential for providing real-time data interchange, navigation, and remote monitoring for autonomous vessels. The industry is also growing as a result of South Korean government agencies realizing the potential advantages of autonomous ships in improving environmental sustainability, safety, and operational efficiency. Moreover, the development of autonomous ships is one aspect of the maritime industry that the South Korean government has demonstrated strong support for. Subsidies, research funds, and strategic plans are some of the initiatives designed to encourage innovation and guarantee South Korea's competitiveness in the international maritime industry.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea autonomous ships market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea autonomous ships market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea autonomous ships market.

Driving Factors

The market is expanding because to ongoing technological improvements and the rising need for economical and effective maritime transportation. Adoption of autonomous vessels, particularly autonomous ships, is also significantly influenced by the increased focus on safety and the decrease in human errors at sea.

Restraining Factors

Autonomous ships are vulnerable to cyber assaults because of their reliance on digital technologies. Concerns have been expressed by experts over these ships' susceptibility to hacking, which might result in illegal control and present serious threats to maritime safety.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea autonomous ships market share is classified into material component and level of autonomy.

• The hardware segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea autonomous ships market is segmented by component into hardware and software. Among these, the hardware segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This comprises essential parts like propulsion units, GPS systems, sensors (LiDAR, radar, and sonar), and automated navigation devices. The ability of vessels to function independently in intricate marine environments depends on these hardware components. The hardware segment is expanding as a result of these technologies' quick development and uptake.

• The semi-autonomous segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea autonomous ships market is segmented by level of autonomy into semi-autonomous and fully-autonomous. Among these, the semi-autonomous segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Ships that can carry out a lot of tasks on their own but still need human supervision and intervention are known as semi-autonomous ships. To improve operational efficiency and safety, they integrate human control with automated systems.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea autonomous ships market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Hyundai Heavy Industries
• Samsung Heavy Industries
• Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
• Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In April 2024, Seadronix, a South Korean AI maritime solutions company, introduced the Rec-SEA Plugin, a state-of-the-art AI software that transformed conventional ships into smart ships.

• In March 2024, South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) had debuted a pilot ship with autonomous navigation capabilities.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea Autonomous Ships Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Autonomous Ships Market, By Component

• Hardware
• Software

South Korea Autonomous Ships Market, By Level of Autonomy

• Semi-Autonomous
• Fully-Autonomous