Maritime Satellite Communication Market Report 2025

This 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 maritime satellite communication market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.18 billion in 2024 to $4.57 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for reliable and efficient communication systems, increasing threat of piracy and other security issues at sea.

The maritime satellite communication market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.08 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing digitalization, emergence of 5g in maritime communication, rise of autonomous vessels. Major trends in the forecast period include development of gyro-stabilized ground terminals, incorporation of multi-frequency dish antennas, introduction of all-plastic designs, preference for ku-band in the shipping and maritime industry.

The growing marine trade operations is expected to propel the growth of the maritime satellite communication market going forward. Marine trade operations involve the shipping, buying, and selling of goods and services through sea routes, facilitating international commerce. The interconnectedness of economies has facilitated increased trade between countries, leading to a rise in both import and export activities. The marine industry relies on maritime satellite communication for real-time tracking of vessels, weather updates, and efficient exchange of critical navigation and operational data, enhancing global trade operations. For instance, in April 2022, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, a US-based Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the volume of shipments saw a projected 3.2% growth in marine traffic, reaching a total of 11 billion tons, with an increase of 4.7& compared to 2021 primarily attributed to the heightened activity of container ships, dry bulk carriers, and general cargo vessels. Therefore, the growing Marine trade operations are driving the growth of the maritime satellite communication market.

Major companies operating in the maritime satellite communication market are focusing their efforts on developing advanced solutions, such as push-to-talk technology, to gain a competitive edge in the market. The technology allows users to transmit audio signals only when a button is pressed, facilitating on-demand communication in two-way radio systems. For instance, in March 2022, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a UAE-based maritime satellite communication company, launched an IP-based radio communications solution called Thuraya PTT, a sophisticated IP-based radio communication solution that harmonizes with Thuraya broadband terminals to establish exclusive networks. This advanced system seamlessly integrates various technologies, such as 3G, LTE, and LMR, via Thuraya's state-of-the-art satellite infrastructure, guaranteeing uninterrupted voice and data communication. The newly developed solution is designed for ease of use and ensures secure interoperability among diverse users utilizing various communication systems both on land and at sea.

In May 2023, Viasat Inc., a US-based communications company, acquired Inmarsat for an undisclosed amount. The merged entity anticipates strengthening its market position by leveraging increased scale, expanded scope, and heightened innovation within the global satellite connectivity sector. This strategic move aims to meet rising customer demands for enhanced speed, flexibility, reliability, coverage, and security. Inmarsat is a UK-based satellite telecommunications company that offers maritime communications services.

Major companies operating in the maritime satellite communication market are Leonardo S.p.A, Saab AB, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), Cobham SATCOM, Kongsberg Maritime AS, Viasat Inc., Advantech Wireless Inc., SES S.A., EchoStar Corporation, Hughes Network Systems LLC, Inmarsat plc, Iridium Communications Inc., Telespazio S.p.A., Comtech Telecommunications Corp., ORBCOMM Inc., Speedcast International Limited, ST Engineering iDirect, Marlink AS, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, RigNet Inc., Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Gogo Business Aviation LLC, Orbit Communication Systems, Newtec, KVH Industries Inc., Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., NSSL Global, Globecomm Systems Inc., RASCOM, Norsat International Inc.

North America was the largest region in the maritime satellite communication market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the maritime satellite communication market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the maritime satellite communication market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The maritime satellite communication market consists of revenues earned by entities providing services such as voice services, tracking and monitoring, and very small aperture terminal(VSAT) services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The maritime satellite communication market also includes sales of TV and satellite phones, maritime antennas, VSAT systems, and navigation satellite systems. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

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).

Maritime satellite communication refers to the use of satellite technology to enable communication at sea. These systems support both voice and data communication, allowing for real-time conversations, messaging, and the exchange of important data such as navigation information, weather updates, and operational details.

The main types of maritime satellite communication are mobile satellite communication and very small aperture terminals (VSAT). Mobile satellite communication refers to the use of satellite technology to enable communication services, including voice and data, for mobile users in remote or maritime environments. The offering includes solutions and services for end users such as merchant shipping, fishing, passenger ships, leisure vessels, offshore, government, and others.

The main types of maritime satellite communication are mobile satellite communication and very small aperture terminals (VSAT). Mobile satellite communication refers to the use of satellite technology to enable communication services, including voice and data, for mobile users in remote or maritime environments. The offering includes solutions and services for end users such as merchant shipping, fishing, passenger ships, leisure vessels, offshore, government, and others.

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.

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