Ship Radar Scanner Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast 2026 - 2033

The global ship radar scanner market size is likely to be valued at US$818.6 million in 2026 and is estimated to reach US$1,430.4 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2033, driven by a growing global fleet, rising newbuilding activity, and the shift to solid-state radar.

New rules for autonomous ships and busy shipping lanes are also raising the demand for reliable collision avoidance and situational awareness.

Driver - Large Global Fleet and Rising Trade Distances to Propel Radar Demand

Every large commercial ship needs radar. IMO-approved radars are classed by category. CAT 1 radars suit SOLAS vessels over 10,000 gross tons, while CAT 2 and CAT 3 suit smaller ships. UNCTAD reported that the world fleet stood at 112,500 ships and 2.44 million deadweight tons on January 1, 2025. The fleet grew 3.4% in 2025. Maritime trade reached 12,720 million tons in 2024, up 2.2%.

Longer voyages add to radar use. Rerouting around the Red Sea lifted ton-miles by 5.9% in 2024, almost three times the rise in volume. The average voyage grew to 5,245 miles. Suez Canal transits were about 70% below 2023 levels in May 2025. Ships spend more time at sea and in busy lanes, which raises demand for reliable radar and upgrades.

Solid-state and Doppler Technology to Bolster Upgrade Demand

Radar design is changing. Furuno says it is the first supplier with a complete IMO-approved solid-state system for both X-band and S-band. Its FAR-2328 NXT X-band radar delivers 600 watts and is approved for CAT 1, CAT 2, and CAT 3, depending on antenna speed and monitor. Hensoldt’s Manta NEO also removes the magnetron, which cuts replacement needs. It is type-approved under the EU Marine Equipment Directive for CAT 1 and CAT 2.

Price barriers are falling. In November 2023, Raymarine launched its Pathfinder X-band radar at a magnetron price point. It says the solid-state transmitter exceeds a 12-kilowatt magnetron and meets IMO target detection rules. Furuno’s NXT series also adds a Doppler-based Target Analyzer, which changes the color of approaching targets. These features push owners to upgrade rather than repair.

Restraint - Weak Trade Growth and Long Replacement Cycles May Limit Demand

Trade growth is uneven. UNCTAD expected seaborne trade volumes to rise only 0.5% in 2025. It also warned of new tariffs, planned U.S. port fees on certain foreign-built vessels, and potential spillovers around the Strait of Hormuz. Such risks can delay shipowner spending on non-essential upgrades. Freight rate swings add to the uncertainty.

Radar is also a long-life asset. Owners often replace it only when it fails or when a ship is refit. Magnetron radars remain widely installed and are simple to service. Price competition is rising too, as shown by solid-state systems entering at magnetron price points. This can squeeze supplier margins and slow replacement cycles.

Opportunity - Autonomous and Remote-operated Ships to Open Sensor Fusion Demand

Autonomous shipping needs strong sensing. In May 2026, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, or MASS Code. It sets requirements for design, approval, and operation, including navigation, connectivity, and remote operations. A mandatory code is expected for adoption by July 1, 2030, with entry into force on January 1, 2032.

Radar will be central to this shift. Raymarine’s Pathfinder supports Asterix CAT-240 output for integration with ECDIS, radar tracking, and naval systems. The committee also allowed VHF data exchange systems as a voluntary alternative to AIS. Suppliers that combine radar, AIS, and data exchange inputs can serve remote and autonomous operations.

Fleet Renewal and Shipyard Expansion to Widen the Customer Base

Newbuilding supports radar sales. Industry analysts estimated that 2024 ship contracting reached about 125 million gross tons, the second-highest year on record. The global orderbook stood at 151 million gross tons. UNCTAD also notes that alternative fuel vessels made up more than half of new order tonnage. New ships need a full navigation package.

Policy also helps. India’s Cabinet approved a Rs 69,725 crore (approx. US$7.2 billion) package in September 2025. It extends the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme to March 31, 2036, and creates a Rs 25,000 crore (approx. US$2.6 billion) Maritime Development Fund. The government aims to unlock 4.5 million gross tons of annual shipbuilding capacity. Local yards will need locally supported radar suppliers.

Technology Insights

Magnetron radar is predicted to lead with a share of about 54.3% in 2026, as it has a large installed base and a lower upfront cost. Furuno still lists IMO-approved magnetron models, such as the 12 kilowatt FAR-2318 and the 25 kilowatt FAR-2328. Many owners also prefer familiar maintenance routines. These factors keep magnetron radar in demand for replacement and low-cost newbuild programs.

Solid-state radar is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period, as it removes the magnetron and lowers maintenance. It also offers rapid start-up and strong detection in poor weather. Raymarine’s Pathfinder CAT-1 system uses a fan-less six-foot open array. It meets IEC 62288 and IEC 62388 and has simplified cabling. Such designs reduce installation effort.

Vessel Type Insights

Commercial vessels are anticipated to dominate with a share of around 52.8% in 2026, as the world fleet of 112,500 ships must carry approved navigation radar. Cargo ships, tankers, container ships, and cruise ships all need dependable collision avoidance. Fleet growth of 3.4% and longer voyages add to demand. Retrofit cycles also support steady sales.

Naval and coast guard vessels are expected to remain in the second position in 2026, as security risks in key sea lanes rise. IMO’s May 2026 committee held extensive talks on maritime safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz. Naval users need radars with strong clutter rejection and target tracking. Hensoldt’s Kelvin Hughes brand serves both navigation and tactical needs.

Asia Pacific Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate with a global share of approximately 41.3% in 2026, as the region is the world's principal shipbuilding center. S&P Global data indicate that China accounted for 52.6% of global gross tonnage completed in 2025, South Korea 27.6%, and Japan 14.0%, demonstrating the concentration of vessel construction in the region. Every new commercial vessel requires a navigation suite that can include X-band and S-band radar scanners, while larger vessels generally require multiple radar systems to satisfy operational and regulatory requirements.

China Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

China will likely lead in Asia Pacific in 2026 with a share of about 52.7%, reflecting its exceptionally large shipbuilding industry. UNCTAD data show that Chinese shipyards accounted for approximately 54.57% of global merchant tonnage delivered in 2024, while Chinese yards held around 65.1% of the global orderbook at the end of 2025. This creates one of the world's largest pipelines for new radar installations, since commercial vessels typically require multiple navigation sensors and radar systems before delivery.

India Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

In 2026, India is projected to account for a share of just about 7.9% in Asia Pacific. Its current contribution is considerably smaller than China's, Japan's, or South Korea's because the country's commercial shipbuilding industry remains relatively limited. UNCTAD data indicate that India delivered only about 0.06% of global merchant tonnage in 2024. Consequently, present radar demand is driven more by the existing commercial and government fleet, ship repair and retrofit activity, coastal shipping, fishing vessels, offshore operations and naval requirements than by large-scale merchant newbuild production.

Europe Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

Europe is likely to be the fastest-growing market over the forecast period, supported by its large concentration of shipowners, ports, maritime service companies, naval programs and marine-electronics manufacturers. Unlike Asia Pacific, where demand is heavily linked to new vessel construction, Europe has a particularly important fleet-retrofit and replacement market. Local shipowners operate large fleets across global trade routes and must periodically upgrade navigation equipment to comply with evolving safety, environmental, and digitalization requirements.

Germany Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

Germany is predicted to register a substantial share of approximately 24.3% in 2026 in Europe, backed by its maritime technology base, large shipowning community, major ports, and defense industry. Local maritime demand encompasses merchant vessels, inland and coastal shipping, naval platforms, offshore applications and port infrastructure, giving radar suppliers access to multiple end-use segments. Germany's role is also important through companies active in maritime sensing and defense electronics. HENSOLDT is a notable participant through its ownership of the Kelvin Hughes business, whose marine radar portfolio includes the SharpEye and Manta NEO families.

U.K. Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

In Europe, a share of nearly 13.6% is predicted to be held by the U.K. in 2026, benefiting from its long-established maritime industry, extensive commercial fleet interests, naval programs, offshore-energy activity and position as the host country of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The country also has a strong marine-technology network, which gives radar manufacturers access to shipowners, shipyards, classification organizations and maritime research institutions.

North America Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

North America is predicted to hold a decent share of around 19.8% globally in 2026, supported by its large leisure marine fleet, commercial shipping activity, offshore operations, fishing fleets, and government and coast guard vessels. The region is also an important market for radar retrofits because several operators replace old magnetron-based systems with solid-state scanners that require less maintenance and provide better target tracking and clutter rejection. The U.S. leisure and small-commercial segments are important for manufacturers such as Garmin and Raymarine, which offer compact solid-state radars as well as open-array systems for larger vessels.

U.S. Ship Radar Scanner Market Trends

In North America, a share of nearly 76.4% is expected to be held by the U.S. in 2026, making it the principal demand center in the region. Demand is spread across workboats, offshore support vessels, commercial fishing vessels, ferries, recreational craft, merchant ships and government fleets. The market has a broad replacement component because radar is installed across vessels with very different operating requirements, from compact recreational boats requiring relatively simple dome scanners to commercial and government vessels requiring IMO-compliant open-array systems with advanced target tracking.

The global ship radar scanner market is moderately consolidated, with a small group of established marine-electronics and defense companies holding leading positions, while specialized regional suppliers compete in specific vessel and application segments. Furuno Electric, JRC (Japan Radio Company), Raytheon, Garmin, Navico, Teledyne Raymarine, Sperry Marine, Kongsberg, Hensoldt and Terma are among the important participants. Furuno and JRC are dominant in commercial shipboard radar, where purchasing decisions are influenced heavily by IMO/type approval, reliability, integration with bridge equipment and global service support.

Technology is becoming an important basis of competition. Manufacturers are moving from conventional magnetron systems toward solid-state radar scanners, while simultaneously improving Doppler processing, automatic clutter suppression, target tracking and detection in adverse weather. Teledyne Raymarine is using ease of installation and low ownership complexity as a differentiator. Its Pathfinder Commercial Radar is a solid-state X-band system designed for IMO-compliant commercial vessels and is offered across CAT 1, CAT 2 and CAT 3 configurations.

Key Industry Developments

• In October 2026, Saab UK and Kraken Technology Group demonstrated an autonomous maritime ‘drone seeker’ vessel integrating Saab's Giraffe 1X radar. The experimental uncrewed surface vessel combines Kraken's K3 SCOUT autonomous platform with Saab's lightweight 3D radar to detect and track small airborne threats. Saab and Kraken conducted sea trials to evaluate radar performance in maritime conditions, pointing toward a new application for shipborne radar systems in autonomous counter-drone and maritime-security operations.
• In August 2026, Hexagon announced an agreement to acquire Guidance Marine, expanding its maritime sensing portfolio to include radar-based vessel positioning technology. Guidance Marine's sensors combine radar, laser, vision, and microwave technologies to determine a vessel's position relative to nearby structures and other vessels, and are used in offshore energy, marine construction, ports, and naval applications.
• In May 2026, Furuno and Tocaro Blue announced a collaboration to advance radar-based perception for unmanned surface vessels and maritime autonomous systems. The companies are combining Furuno's marine radar sensors with Tocaro Blue's ProteusCore radar-perception software to generate machine-readable radar data for AI-based detection, classification and situational awareness.