+174 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 89019010 were up 174% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€2.37 billion), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat4.36 EUR billion
EU exports of CN 89019010 to countries outside the EU were worth €4.36 billion in 2025.
Eurostat1.28 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 89019010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.28 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +174% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +10% since 2020.
What this market covers
Vessels that sail with reduced crew or none, using sensors, automation and remote control from shore. Shipping lines, ports and navies buy or trial them.
Typical segments
- Remote controlled ships
- Autonomous ferries
- Unmanned cargo vessels
- Shore control centres
Who buys
- Shipping lines
- Port authorities
- Navies
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Korea, Republic of | 3,443.9 EUR million |
| China | 1,691.0 EUR million |
| Panama | 313.6 EUR million |
| Marshall Islands | 146.5 EUR million |
| Norway | 128.2 EUR million |
| Liberia | 124.0 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €6.48 billion of products under CN code 89019010 (Sea-going vessels for the transport of goods and seagoing vessels for the transport of) from outside the EU in 2025. | 6.48 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 89019010 were up 174% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€2.37 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +174 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 89019010 to countries outside the EU were worth €4.36 billion in 2025. | 4.36 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 89019010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.28 billion in 2025. | 1.28 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Korea, Republic of was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 89019010 to the EU in 2025, with €3.44 billion, or 53% of extra-EU imports. | 3.44 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 89019010 to the United States were €28.4 million in 2025. | 28.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 89019010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.58 billion. | 1.58 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,025 enterprises in NACE class C3011 (Building of ships and floating structures) in 2023. | 4,025 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3011 had net turnover of €35.10 billion in 2023. | 35.10 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3011 employed 119,918 people across the EU in 2023. | 119,918 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,146 private establishments in NAICS 336611 (Ship building and repairing) in 2025. | 1,146 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 336611 employed an average of 107,811 people in US private industry in 2025. | 107,811 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 336611 changed by +10% between 2020 (98,378 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +10 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 336611 was $90,295 in 2025. | 90,295 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU autonomous ship market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €6.48 billion of goods under CN 89019010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €4.36 billion.
Where does the EU import autonomous ship from?
Korea, Republic of was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, Panama, Marshall Islands.
Which EU countries export the most autonomous ship?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Denmark, Poland.
How many US companies are in the autonomous ship industry?
BLS counts 1,146 private establishments in NAICS 336611 (Ship building and repairing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the autonomous ship industry?
Eurostat counts 4,025 enterprises in NACE class C3011 (Building of ships and floating structures).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6476156500
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2366226388; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6476156500
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4359120015
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1279150398
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, partner KR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3443893606
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 89019010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 28380473
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 89019010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1583400158
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3011, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4025
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3011, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 35100
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3011, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 119918
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336611, annual_avg_estabs 1146
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336611, annual_avg_emplvl 107811
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 98378; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 107811
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336611, avg_annual_pay 90295
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline