The demand for unmanned technology will nearly double the global autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) fleet, according to new forecasts.
Analysts Douglas-Westwood (DW) credited strong military demand and renewed appetite from the commercial sector, including oil and gas, for the anticipated spike.
According to DW’s findings, the global fleet will increase by 42% over the next four years, rising to 825 units in 2018.
The greatest demand is expected to come from North America.
AUVs have been in the headlines lately because a US unit is currently scouring the Indian Ocean floor for traces of a missing Malaysian passenger aircraft, flight MH370
Report author Eduardo Ribeiro said: “The military sector makes up 50% of AUV demand, with North America accounting for 75% of this market in 2014.
“However, this market share may decrease to 70% by 2018, as emerging economies increasingly invest in their military fleets. Overall growth of military demand in AUVs closely mirrors the investment in unmanned aircraft – so called drones.
“Increasing environmental awareness continues to drive demand for use of AUVs on research activities, with environmental sensing and research mapping combined forming approximately 47% of the current AUV fleet.”
Report editor Murray Dormer credited deepwater oil and gas activities for rising demand from regions including Latin America and Africa.
He added: “North America will continue to dominate global AUV expenditure, predominantly on military unmanned technology, although the region’s market share is forecast to decrease from 64% in 2014 to 60% by 2018.
“Africa and Latin America are set to experience the highest growth, driven by deepwater oil and gas activities in pre-salt areas.
“Demand in Asia will be varied, with research activities in Japan, deepwater expenditure in India, Indonesia and Malaysia and military investment in China.”
The demand for unmanned technology will nearly double the global autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) fleet, according to new forecasts.
Analysts Douglas-Westwood (DW) credited strong military demand and renewed appetite from the commercial sector, including oil and gas, for the anticipated spike.
According to DW’s findings, the global fleet will increase by 42% over the next four years, rising to 825 units in 2018.
The greatest demand is expected to come from North America.
AUVs have been in the headlines lately because a US unit is currently scouring the Indian Ocean floor for traces of a missing Malaysian passenger aircraft, flight MH370
Report author Eduardo Ribeiro said: “The military sector makes up 50% of AUV demand, with North America accounting for 75% of this market in 2014.
“However, this market share may decrease to 70% by 2018, as emerging economies increasingly invest in their military fleets. Overall growth of military demand in AUVs closely mirrors the investment in unmanned aircraft – so called drones.
“Increasing environmental awareness continues to drive demand for use of AUVs on research activities, with environmental sensing and research mapping combined forming approximately 47% of the current AUV fleet.”
Report editor Murray Dormer credited deepwater oil and gas activities for rising demand from regions including Latin America and Africa.
He added: “North America will continue to dominate global AUV expenditure, predominantly on military unmanned technology, although the region’s market share is forecast to decrease from 64% in 2014 to 60% by 2018.
“Africa and Latin America are set to experience the highest growth, driven by deepwater oil and gas activities in pre-salt areas.
“Demand in Asia will be varied, with research activities in Japan, deepwater expenditure in India, Indonesia and Malaysia and military investment in China.”
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