The inland water passenger transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.03 billion in 2024 to $2.21 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to infrastructure development, economic growth and urbanization, environmental considerations, government initiatives and policies, congestion alleviation.
The inland water passenger transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.96 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to modal shift for sustainable transportation, integrated transport systems, tourism industry growth, climate change mitigation strategies, technological innovations (excluding). Major trends in the forecast period include market liberalization and deregulation, technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, global economic trends, pandemic impacts and resilience.
The increasing use of boats for sightseeing services along inland waterways is anticipated to be a key driver for the inland waterway passenger transport market. Many scenic destinations, such as the Mine Bay Rock Carvings in New Zealand, Horizontal Falls in Australia, Agia Roumeli in Greece, and others, are only accessible through waterways, generating a higher demand for inland waterway passenger transport services. As reported by Voices navigables de France, the French navigation authority, sightseeing vessels in France carried 11 million passengers and employed 1,440 people. This highlights the growing trend of using boats on inland waterways for sightseeing, contributing to the expansion of the inland water passenger transport market.
The thriving tourism industry is expected to further drive the growth of the inland water passenger transportation market. Tourism involves spending time away from home for recreation and pleasure, often utilizing commercial services. Inland water passenger transportation offers access to remote destinations that may not be easily reachable by road or air transport. This accessibility helps promote tourism in such areas, providing visitors with unique experiences. For instance, data from the International Trade Administration indicates a significant increase in non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States in July 2022, reaching 160.8% compared to July 2021 and reaching 67.6% of the pre-COVID level. The outbound travel volume from the United States also experienced a year-over-year increase of 63% in 2022. The flourishing tourism industry, marked by increased travel volumes, is a key factor propelling the growth of the inland water passenger transportation market.
Major companies in the inland water passenger transport market are innovating advanced technologies by investing in AI-powered autonomous boats. These vessels are equipped with artificial intelligence systems that enable them to navigate, control speed, and respond to environmental conditions without human intervention, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility while also reducing labor costs. For example, Roboat, a Netherlands-based company that develops autonomous navigation systems for inland waterway passenger transportation, received an investment of $594,385 (Euro 550,000) from LUMO Labs, a Netherlands-based venture capital firm, and SHIFT Invest, another investment company based in the Netherlands. Roboat focuses on creating AI-powered systems designed to function effectively in complex urban waterways with high traffic. This technology aims to improve the safety and sustainability of waterborne transport by automating navigation processes, which includes retrofitting existing vessels and designing new autonomous boats for various applications, such as passenger transport, goods delivery, and waste collection.
Major companies in the inland water passenger transport market are creating innovative services such as water taxi services, which offer on-demand transportation for passengers using small boats. These services enable efficient travel across rivers, lakes, and coastal areas while avoiding road traffic. Water taxis generally operate on flexible schedules and can be hailed from various docking points, providing a convenient alternative to traditional land-based transportation. For instance, in February 2023, Nayantara Shipping Pvt. Ltd., an India-based transportation company, launched a water taxi service from Mazgaon to Mandwa in the Mumbai region. This service features a high-speed catamaran named NAYAN XI, which can accommodate up to 200 passengers and is designed for comfortable travel, complete with air conditioning and multiple washrooms on board. The catamaran is powered by two 750 HP Volvo Penta high-speed engines, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of 22 knots, although it will operate at a cruising speed of 15 knots during its journeys. This service aims to alleviate road congestion and offer a scenic alternative for daily commuters in the Mumbai region.
In April 2023, AmaWaterways, a US-based cruise company specializing in inland water passenger transport, formed a partnership with Backroads. This collaboration aims to offer over 140 active river cruise departures for the 2023-2024 season, combining luxury river cruising with active biking excursions across various European rivers. Backroads is a travel company based in the United States.
Major companies operating in the inland water passenger transport market include American Cruise Lines, Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope Cruises, A-ROSA River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Pandaw River Expeditions, Crystal River Cruises, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Victory Cruise Lines, Hebridean Island Cruises, Riviera Travel, Aqua Expeditions, Noble Caledonia, Pearl Seas Cruises, Lotus Cruises, Deccan Odyssey, Belmond River Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Mekong Princess.
Western Europe was the largest region in inland water passenger transport market in 2024. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the global inland water passenger transport market share. The regions covered in the inland water passenger transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the inland water passenger transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Inland water passenger transportation involves carrying passengers and cargo on lakes, rivers, and intracoastal waterways using crafts with a capacity of at least 50 tons when loaded.
Passenger transport types in this market include canal, intercoastal, lake, river transportation, ship chartering, water shuttle, and water taxi services. It encompasses cruise ships, cargo-passenger ships, ferries, and other modes, serving applications in supply chains, distribution, and end-user services.
The inland water passenger transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides inland water passenger transport market statistics, including inland water passenger transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an inland water passenger transport market share, detailed inland water passenger transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the inland water passenger transport industry. This inland water passenger transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The inland water passenger transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing navigation as well as drainage, irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.
The inland water passenger transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.96 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to modal shift for sustainable transportation, integrated transport systems, tourism industry growth, climate change mitigation strategies, technological innovations (excluding). Major trends in the forecast period include market liberalization and deregulation, technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, global economic trends, pandemic impacts and resilience.
The increasing use of boats for sightseeing services along inland waterways is anticipated to be a key driver for the inland waterway passenger transport market. Many scenic destinations, such as the Mine Bay Rock Carvings in New Zealand, Horizontal Falls in Australia, Agia Roumeli in Greece, and others, are only accessible through waterways, generating a higher demand for inland waterway passenger transport services. As reported by Voices navigables de France, the French navigation authority, sightseeing vessels in France carried 11 million passengers and employed 1,440 people. This highlights the growing trend of using boats on inland waterways for sightseeing, contributing to the expansion of the inland water passenger transport market.
The thriving tourism industry is expected to further drive the growth of the inland water passenger transportation market. Tourism involves spending time away from home for recreation and pleasure, often utilizing commercial services. Inland water passenger transportation offers access to remote destinations that may not be easily reachable by road or air transport. This accessibility helps promote tourism in such areas, providing visitors with unique experiences. For instance, data from the International Trade Administration indicates a significant increase in non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States in July 2022, reaching 160.8% compared to July 2021 and reaching 67.6% of the pre-COVID level. The outbound travel volume from the United States also experienced a year-over-year increase of 63% in 2022. The flourishing tourism industry, marked by increased travel volumes, is a key factor propelling the growth of the inland water passenger transportation market.
Major companies in the inland water passenger transport market are innovating advanced technologies by investing in AI-powered autonomous boats. These vessels are equipped with artificial intelligence systems that enable them to navigate, control speed, and respond to environmental conditions without human intervention, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility while also reducing labor costs. For example, Roboat, a Netherlands-based company that develops autonomous navigation systems for inland waterway passenger transportation, received an investment of $594,385 (Euro 550,000) from LUMO Labs, a Netherlands-based venture capital firm, and SHIFT Invest, another investment company based in the Netherlands. Roboat focuses on creating AI-powered systems designed to function effectively in complex urban waterways with high traffic. This technology aims to improve the safety and sustainability of waterborne transport by automating navigation processes, which includes retrofitting existing vessels and designing new autonomous boats for various applications, such as passenger transport, goods delivery, and waste collection.
Major companies in the inland water passenger transport market are creating innovative services such as water taxi services, which offer on-demand transportation for passengers using small boats. These services enable efficient travel across rivers, lakes, and coastal areas while avoiding road traffic. Water taxis generally operate on flexible schedules and can be hailed from various docking points, providing a convenient alternative to traditional land-based transportation. For instance, in February 2023, Nayantara Shipping Pvt. Ltd., an India-based transportation company, launched a water taxi service from Mazgaon to Mandwa in the Mumbai region. This service features a high-speed catamaran named NAYAN XI, which can accommodate up to 200 passengers and is designed for comfortable travel, complete with air conditioning and multiple washrooms on board. The catamaran is powered by two 750 HP Volvo Penta high-speed engines, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of 22 knots, although it will operate at a cruising speed of 15 knots during its journeys. This service aims to alleviate road congestion and offer a scenic alternative for daily commuters in the Mumbai region.
In April 2023, AmaWaterways, a US-based cruise company specializing in inland water passenger transport, formed a partnership with Backroads. This collaboration aims to offer over 140 active river cruise departures for the 2023-2024 season, combining luxury river cruising with active biking excursions across various European rivers. Backroads is a travel company based in the United States.
Major companies operating in the inland water passenger transport market include American Cruise Lines, Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope Cruises, A-ROSA River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Pandaw River Expeditions, Crystal River Cruises, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Victory Cruise Lines, Hebridean Island Cruises, Riviera Travel, Aqua Expeditions, Noble Caledonia, Pearl Seas Cruises, Lotus Cruises, Deccan Odyssey, Belmond River Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Mekong Princess.
Western Europe was the largest region in inland water passenger transport market in 2024. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the global inland water passenger transport market share. The regions covered in the inland water passenger transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the inland water passenger transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Inland water passenger transportation involves carrying passengers and cargo on lakes, rivers, and intracoastal waterways using crafts with a capacity of at least 50 tons when loaded.
Passenger transport types in this market include canal, intercoastal, lake, river transportation, ship chartering, water shuttle, and water taxi services. It encompasses cruise ships, cargo-passenger ships, ferries, and other modes, serving applications in supply chains, distribution, and end-user services.
The inland water passenger transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides inland water passenger transport market statistics, including inland water passenger transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an inland water passenger transport market share, detailed inland water passenger transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the inland water passenger transport industry. This inland water passenger transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The inland water passenger transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing navigation as well as drainage, irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary2. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Characteristics3. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Trends and Strategies4. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market - Macro Economic Scenario Macro Economic Scenario Including the Impact of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics and Covid and Recovery on the Market32. Global Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Competitive Benchmarking and Dashboard33. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Inland Water Passenger Transport Market34. Recent Developments in the Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
5. Global Inland Water Passenger Transport Growth Analysis and Strategic Analysis Framework
6. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Segmentation
7. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Regional and Country Analysis
8. Asia-Pacific Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
9. China Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
10. India Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
11. Japan Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
12. Australia Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
13. Indonesia Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
14. South Korea Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
15. Western Europe Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
16. UK Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
17. Germany Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
18. France Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
19. Italy Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
20. Spain Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
21. Eastern Europe Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
22. Russia Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
23. North America Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
24. USA Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
25. Canada Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
26. South America Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
27. Brazil Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
28. Middle East Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
29. Africa Inland Water Passenger Transport Market
30. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles
31. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market Other Major and Innovative Companies
35. Inland Water Passenger Transport Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies
36. Appendix
Executive Summary
Inland Water Passenger Transport Global Market Report 2025 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses on inland water passenger transport market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Description
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for inland water passenger transport? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The inland water passenger transport market global report answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.
- The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
- The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
- The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
- The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
- The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By Passenger Transportation Type: Canal Passenger Transportation; Intercostal Transportation of Passengers; Lake Passenger Transportation; Water Shuttle Services; River Passenger Transportation; Ship Chartering With Crew; Water Taxi Services2) By Mode: Cruise Ships; Cargo-Passenger Ship; Ferry Ships; Other Modes
3) By Application: Supply Chain; Distribution; End Customers
Subsegments:
1) By Canal Passenger Transportation: Canal Cruises; Canal Ferries2) By Intercoastal Transportation of Passengers: Intercoastal Ferries; Sightseeing Cruises
3) By Lake Passenger Transportation: Lake Cruises; Ferry Services on Lakes
4) By Water Shuttle Services: Commuter Shuttles; on-Demand Water Taxi Services
5) By River Passenger Transportation: River Cruises; River Ferries
6) By Ship Chartering with Crew: Private Yacht Charters; Group Charters For Events
7) By Water Taxi Services: Scheduled Water Taxi Services; Private Water Taxi Services
Key Companies Mentioned: American Cruise Lines; Viking River Cruises; AmaWaterways; Avalon Waterways; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.
Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Companies Mentioned
- American Cruise Lines
- Viking River Cruises
- AmaWaterways
- Avalon Waterways
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Emerald Waterways
- CroisiEurope Cruises
- A-ROSA River Cruises
- Tauck River Cruises
- Pandaw River Expeditions
- Crystal River Cruises
- Grand Circle Cruise Line
- Victory Cruise Lines
- Hebridean Island Cruises
- Riviera Travel
- Aqua Expeditions
- Noble Caledonia
- Pearl Seas Cruises
- Lotus Cruises
- Deccan Odyssey
- Belmond River Cruises
- Victoria Cruises
- Mekong Princess
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 175 |
| Published | March 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2029 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 2.21 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 2.96 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 7.7% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 24 |
