Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Supply, Demand and Key Producers, 2026-2032
Description
The global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market size is expected to reach $ 1435 million by 2032, rising at a market growth of 3.6% CAGR during the forecast period (2026-2032).
In 2024, global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production capacity is 3,000 units, with production reached approximately 2,100 units, with an average global market price of around US$ 500,000 per unit. The market gross margin is mainly 35%-45%.
Azimuth Thrusters and Tunnel Thrusters together constitute the core attitude control and low-speed propulsion system of modern highly maneuverable vessels. Azimuth Thrusters (all-around azimuth thrusters) have 360° omnidirectional rotation capability and provide precise thrust control through Z-drive, L-drive, or Pod electric pod structures. They are widely used in tugboats, OSV/PSVs, SOVs, LNG carriers, icebreakers, ferries, and offshore wind power vessels—ships requiring dynamic positioning (DP) and high maneuverability. Tunnel Thrusters (tunnel side thrusters) are mainly installed in the bow and stern transverse tunnels for low-speed lateral thrust, berthing, unberthing, attitude adjustment, and DP auxiliary control. They are standard equipment on port vessels, ferries, dredging vessels, offshore engineering vessels, and research vessels. Together, these two types of thrusters form a "longitudinal propulsion + lateral correction + DP control" power system, which is key equipment for ship handling performance, wind and wave resistance, and operational efficiency.
The upstream of the industry chain includes core components such as power systems (diesel engines, propulsion motors, permanent magnet motors), gearboxes and transmission systems, propellers and ducts, steering actuators, frequency converters, electronic control systems, pod housings, high-strength seals/bearings, and propulsion monitoring systems; the midstream is provided by professional propulsion manufacturers that offer complete machine integration and system solutions, including Kongsberg, SCHOTTEL, Wärtsilä, ABB, Veth, and Steerprop; downstream customers cover port and shipping tugboat operators, offshore platform support vessels (PSV/OSV), offshore wind power installation and maintenance vessels (WTIV/SOV/CTV), ferries/ro-ro passenger ships, dredging vessels, LNG carriers, icebreakers, scientific research vessels, engineering barges, and inland waterway tugboats. Terminal applications are concentrated in scenarios such as dynamic positioning (DP1–DP3), berthing and unberthing, heavy-load towing, wind power installation, dredging operations, icebreaking navigation, port and shipping operations, emergency towing and marine engineering construction, and are highly sensitive to thrust response speed, reliability, redundancy, fuel economy and life cycle cost (LCC).
The global Azimuth & Tunnel Thrusters market will maintain steady growth (CAGR 5-7%) over the next 5–10 years, with key drivers including: (1) rapid growth in offshore wind power installations, driving strong demand for large electric propulsion and DP-2/DP-3 vessel types for WTIV/SOV/CTV; (2) the arrival of the replacement cycle in the tugboat, port and shipping and dredging markets, with global port automation, low-emission ships and alternative fuels (LNG, electric, hybrid, ammonia fuel) driving the replacement of high-efficiency propulsion systems; (3) the recovery of the oil and gas sector (FPSO, OSV, drilling support vessels) supporting the demand for highly reliable DP propulsion systems; and (4) the electrification trend of inland waterway and short-distance ferries driving the penetration of permanent magnet motors + L-drive/Podded propulsion. Regionally, Europe and North America continue to lead in high-end DP vessel types, China, South Korea and Singapore are rapidly expanding in shipbuilding support, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East have strong demand in the dredging, port and shipping and offshore engineering sectors. Overall, the market will show trends such as electrification (e-Propulsion), high thrust density, intelligence, low maintenance, and green fuel compatibility, while azimuth thrusters and tunnel thrusters will continue to be standard equipment for highly maneuverable vessels.
This report studies the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production, demand, key manufacturers, and key regions.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the world market for Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters and provides market size (US$ million) and Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth, considering 2025 as the base year. This report explores demand trends and competition, as well as details the characteristics of Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters that contribute to its increasing demand across many markets.
Highlights and key features of the study
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters total production and demand, 2021-2032, (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters total production value, 2021-2032, (USD Million)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by region & country, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units), (based on production site)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters consumption by region & country, CAGR, 2021-2032 & (Units)
U.S. VS China: Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters domestic production, consumption, key domestic manufacturers and share
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by manufacturer, production, price, value and market share 2021-2026, (USD Million) & (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by Type, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by Application, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units)
This report profiles key players in the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Wärtsilä Corporation, SCHOTTEL Group, Kawasaki, Kongsberg, Berg Propulsion, Brunvoll, IHI, Thrustmaster, Veth Propulsion, Steerprop, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the World Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market
Detailed Segmentation:
Each section contains quantitative market data including market by value (US$ Millions), volume (production, consumption) & (Units) and average price (K USD/Unit) by manufacturer, by Type, and by Application. Data is given for the years 2021-2032 by year with 2025 as the base year, 2026 as the estimate year, and 2027-2032 as the forecast year.
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, By Region:
United States
China
Europe
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
India
Rest of World
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Type:
Azimuth Thrusters
Tunnel Thrusters
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Structure:
Z-drive Thruster
L-drive Thruster
Others
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Power:
Diesel Mechanical Thruster
Diesel-Electric Thruster
Hybrid Thruster
Fully Electric Thruster
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Application:
Oil & Gas Rig
Military Vessels
Ferry (Passenger Ship and RoRo-Passenger Ship)
Cruise Ship
Offshore Vessel
Oil Tanker
Chemical Tanker
LNG Carrier
LPG Carrier
Other
Companies Profiled:
Wärtsilä Corporation
SCHOTTEL Group
Kawasaki
Kongsberg
Berg Propulsion
Brunvoll
IHI
Thrustmaster
Veth Propulsion
Steerprop
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Nanjing High Accurate Marine Equipment Co., Ltd
ABB Marine
Voith Turbo
Jastram
Wuxi Ruifeng Marine
Hydromaster
Key Questions Answered:
1. How big is the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
2. What is the demand of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
3. What is the year over year growth of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
4. What is the production and production value of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
5. Who are the key producers in the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
6. What are the growth factors driving the market demand?
In 2024, global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production capacity is 3,000 units, with production reached approximately 2,100 units, with an average global market price of around US$ 500,000 per unit. The market gross margin is mainly 35%-45%.
Azimuth Thrusters and Tunnel Thrusters together constitute the core attitude control and low-speed propulsion system of modern highly maneuverable vessels. Azimuth Thrusters (all-around azimuth thrusters) have 360° omnidirectional rotation capability and provide precise thrust control through Z-drive, L-drive, or Pod electric pod structures. They are widely used in tugboats, OSV/PSVs, SOVs, LNG carriers, icebreakers, ferries, and offshore wind power vessels—ships requiring dynamic positioning (DP) and high maneuverability. Tunnel Thrusters (tunnel side thrusters) are mainly installed in the bow and stern transverse tunnels for low-speed lateral thrust, berthing, unberthing, attitude adjustment, and DP auxiliary control. They are standard equipment on port vessels, ferries, dredging vessels, offshore engineering vessels, and research vessels. Together, these two types of thrusters form a "longitudinal propulsion + lateral correction + DP control" power system, which is key equipment for ship handling performance, wind and wave resistance, and operational efficiency.
The upstream of the industry chain includes core components such as power systems (diesel engines, propulsion motors, permanent magnet motors), gearboxes and transmission systems, propellers and ducts, steering actuators, frequency converters, electronic control systems, pod housings, high-strength seals/bearings, and propulsion monitoring systems; the midstream is provided by professional propulsion manufacturers that offer complete machine integration and system solutions, including Kongsberg, SCHOTTEL, Wärtsilä, ABB, Veth, and Steerprop; downstream customers cover port and shipping tugboat operators, offshore platform support vessels (PSV/OSV), offshore wind power installation and maintenance vessels (WTIV/SOV/CTV), ferries/ro-ro passenger ships, dredging vessels, LNG carriers, icebreakers, scientific research vessels, engineering barges, and inland waterway tugboats. Terminal applications are concentrated in scenarios such as dynamic positioning (DP1–DP3), berthing and unberthing, heavy-load towing, wind power installation, dredging operations, icebreaking navigation, port and shipping operations, emergency towing and marine engineering construction, and are highly sensitive to thrust response speed, reliability, redundancy, fuel economy and life cycle cost (LCC).
The global Azimuth & Tunnel Thrusters market will maintain steady growth (CAGR 5-7%) over the next 5–10 years, with key drivers including: (1) rapid growth in offshore wind power installations, driving strong demand for large electric propulsion and DP-2/DP-3 vessel types for WTIV/SOV/CTV; (2) the arrival of the replacement cycle in the tugboat, port and shipping and dredging markets, with global port automation, low-emission ships and alternative fuels (LNG, electric, hybrid, ammonia fuel) driving the replacement of high-efficiency propulsion systems; (3) the recovery of the oil and gas sector (FPSO, OSV, drilling support vessels) supporting the demand for highly reliable DP propulsion systems; and (4) the electrification trend of inland waterway and short-distance ferries driving the penetration of permanent magnet motors + L-drive/Podded propulsion. Regionally, Europe and North America continue to lead in high-end DP vessel types, China, South Korea and Singapore are rapidly expanding in shipbuilding support, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East have strong demand in the dredging, port and shipping and offshore engineering sectors. Overall, the market will show trends such as electrification (e-Propulsion), high thrust density, intelligence, low maintenance, and green fuel compatibility, while azimuth thrusters and tunnel thrusters will continue to be standard equipment for highly maneuverable vessels.
This report studies the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production, demand, key manufacturers, and key regions.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the world market for Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters and provides market size (US$ million) and Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth, considering 2025 as the base year. This report explores demand trends and competition, as well as details the characteristics of Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters that contribute to its increasing demand across many markets.
Highlights and key features of the study
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters total production and demand, 2021-2032, (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters total production value, 2021-2032, (USD Million)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by region & country, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units), (based on production site)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters consumption by region & country, CAGR, 2021-2032 & (Units)
U.S. VS China: Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters domestic production, consumption, key domestic manufacturers and share
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by manufacturer, production, price, value and market share 2021-2026, (USD Million) & (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by Type, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units)
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters production by Application, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (Units)
This report profiles key players in the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Wärtsilä Corporation, SCHOTTEL Group, Kawasaki, Kongsberg, Berg Propulsion, Brunvoll, IHI, Thrustmaster, Veth Propulsion, Steerprop, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the World Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market
Detailed Segmentation:
Each section contains quantitative market data including market by value (US$ Millions), volume (production, consumption) & (Units) and average price (K USD/Unit) by manufacturer, by Type, and by Application. Data is given for the years 2021-2032 by year with 2025 as the base year, 2026 as the estimate year, and 2027-2032 as the forecast year.
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, By Region:
United States
China
Europe
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
India
Rest of World
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Type:
Azimuth Thrusters
Tunnel Thrusters
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Structure:
Z-drive Thruster
L-drive Thruster
Others
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Power:
Diesel Mechanical Thruster
Diesel-Electric Thruster
Hybrid Thruster
Fully Electric Thruster
Global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters Market, Segmentation by Application:
Oil & Gas Rig
Military Vessels
Ferry (Passenger Ship and RoRo-Passenger Ship)
Cruise Ship
Offshore Vessel
Oil Tanker
Chemical Tanker
LNG Carrier
LPG Carrier
Other
Companies Profiled:
Wärtsilä Corporation
SCHOTTEL Group
Kawasaki
Kongsberg
Berg Propulsion
Brunvoll
IHI
Thrustmaster
Veth Propulsion
Steerprop
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Nanjing High Accurate Marine Equipment Co., Ltd
ABB Marine
Voith Turbo
Jastram
Wuxi Ruifeng Marine
Hydromaster
Key Questions Answered:
1. How big is the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
2. What is the demand of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
3. What is the year over year growth of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
4. What is the production and production value of the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
5. Who are the key producers in the global Azimuth and Tunnel Thrusters market?
6. What are the growth factors driving the market demand?
Table of Contents
138 Pages
- 1 Supply Summary
- 2 Demand Summary
- 3 World Manufacturers Competitive Analysis
- 4 United States VS China VS Rest of the World
- 5 Market Analysis by Type
- 6 Market Analysis by Structure
- 7 Market Analysis by Power
- 8 Market Analysis by Application
- 9 Company Profiles
- 10 Industry Chain Analysis
- 11 Research Findings and Conclusion
- 12 Appendix
Pricing
Currency Rates
Questions or Comments?
Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
