Maritime Distress & Safety System Market - Global Forecast 2025-2030

The Maritime Distress & Safety System Market size was estimated at USD 34.03 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 37.20 billion in 2025, at a CAGR 9.06% to reach USD 57.29 billion by 2030.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was established by the International Maritime Organization as a cornerstone of the SOLAS Convention, providing standardized procedures, equipment, and communication protocols to facilitate prompt distress alerting, search and rescue coordination, and the dissemination of maritime safety information across all designated sea areas. By integrating technologies such as EPIRBs, SARTs, LRIT, and SSAS, GMDSS ensures vessels have redundant means of emergency signaling and position determination, enhancing the safety of life at sea for ships of all classes.

The maritime distress and safety system landscape is undergoing a profound digital transformation driven by the integration of artificial intelligence, IoT sensors, and next-generation satellite networks. AI-driven analytics leverage AIS and onboard sensor data to predict collision risks and automate distress alerts, while IoT-enabled systems continuously monitor vessel integrity and environmental parameters to proactively detect safety incidents. Concurrently, the finalization of draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter V and related instruments now enables the adoption of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) and NAVDAT frameworks, facilitating high-speed digital broadcasting of maritime safety information from shore to ship and vice versa with enhanced security and performance. Moreover, the rapid progression of maritime autonomous surface ships has spurred collaboration on a non-mandatory MASS Code under the IMO, underscoring the urgency of harmonizing regulatory schemes that seamlessly integrate GMDSS protocols with autonomous navigation controls and safety oversight.

Recent U.S. trade actions under Section 301 and Annex V have introduced fees and tariffs ranging from 20 percent to 100 percent on maritime cargo-handling equipment, including ship-to-shore gantry cranes, containers, chassis, and their components if they originate from or incorporate parts from China. In parallel, proposed port-fee structures on Chinese-built vessels will incrementally apply charges based on net tonnage or container capacity, creating new cost layers for vessel operators and supply chains in mid-2025 and beyond. The cumulative impact has prompted manufacturers to reevaluate sourcing strategies, accelerate qualification of alternative suppliers, and consider product redesigns to minimize exposure to punitive duties and fees, thereby reshaping capital expenditure and procurement decisions across the industry.

Distress and safety systems span a diverse array of technologies, with critical components such as Automatic Identification System transponders, Digital Selective Calling radios, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, and Search and Rescue Transponders operating under the umbrella of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Each system type addresses specific safety functions-from continuous vessel tracking and automated distress alerting to homing signals and security alerts-driven by regulatory mandates that vary across sea areas and vessel classes. These modules are increasingly converged into multi-function terminals that streamline bridge operations and reduce equipment footprints.

In the Americas, strategic investments in fleet modernization, such as the U.S. Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiatives and historic procurement packages for icebreakers, cutters, and fixed-wing aircraft, are enhancing search-and-rescue and pollution-response capabilities while aligning with new cybersecurity mandates in the Marine Transportation System. Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) are witnessing a strengthened mandate for the European Maritime Safety Agency, empowering it to lead digitalization, environmental surveillance, and hybrid-threat resilience efforts in support of EU decarbonization and emissions-trading regulations. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is advancing collaborative port-security and maritime safety projects-such as the Indo-Pacific Port Security Project and joint seminars under the Tokyo and Indian Ocean MoUs-while rapidly deploying smart-port technologies and integrated monitoring systems to address piracy, illegal activities, and high-volume trade flows.

Satellite communication providers are at the heart of modern distress systems, with Inmarsat and Iridium delivering global coverage for distress alerts, safety voice, and Maritime Safety Information streams via Recognized Mobile Satellite Services. Iridium’s Certus GMDSS service, for instance, integrates GMDSS, LRIT, and SSAS capabilities into a single terminal, revolutionizing hybrid network architectures for vessel operators. Antenna and terminal manufacturers like Cobham SATCOM, Thales, and Lars Thrane are collaborating to embed multi-service functionalities, reducing data costs and streamlining bridge configurations.

Industry leaders should prioritize digital transformation by accelerating the adoption of VDES and NAVDAT frameworks, integrating AI-powered analytics and predictive maintenance tools to exceed evolving IMO distress-communication standards and bolster safety performance. Proactive supply-chain diversification and tariff-mitigation strategies, including the pursuit of tariff-exclusion requests and qualification of alternate component sources, will help contain cost escalation stemming from U.S. Section 301 and Annex V actions. Strengthening partnerships with flag-state and classification authorities-particularly around cybersecurity compliance under the Coast Guard’s final rule-will ensure resilience against emerging threats and regulatory complexities. Finally, engaging in regional safety initiatives-from the Indo-Pacific Port Security Project to EMSA’s digital mandate-will foster collaborative frameworks that shape favorable regulatory and operational environments across key markets.

Our research methodology combined a multi-tiered approach to ensure comprehensive, verifiable insights. Primary research involved in-depth interviews with vessel operators, system integrators, regulatory officials, and technology providers. Secondary research drew upon official documentation from the International Maritime Organization, U.S. Federal Register notices, European regulatory texts, and recent trade-policy releases. Quantitative data validation leveraged customs and tariff schedules, supplemented by ship-movement analytics and vendor shipment records to confirm emerging trends. Data triangulation and expert reviews were conducted throughout to maintain analytical rigor and validate findings against multiple independent sources.

The evolving maritime distress and safety system sector is characterized by rapid technological innovation, shifting regulatory imperatives, and increasing geopolitical considerations. Advances in AI, IoT, and digital satellite communications are redefining how distress alerts, navigational warnings, and search-and-rescue coordination operate, while trade-policy actions and regional collaborations continue to shape cost structures and market access. By synthesizing segmentation insights, regional dynamics, and competitive positioning, this executive summary highlights a path forward grounded in digital resilience, regulatory alignment, and strategic partnerships. As the industry advances toward autonomous operations and real-time data sharing, stakeholders equipped with robust intelligence and proactive strategies will lead the transformation of maritime safety and resilience.

For a complete exploration of the maritime distress and safety system landscape-including in-depth analysis of regulatory drivers, technological innovations, tariff impacts, and strategic recommendations-reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director, Sales & Marketing. His expertise can guide you through the tailored insights in this report and facilitate your acquisition of critical market intelligence. Engage with him today to secure the full research report and equip your organization to navigate emerging opportunities and challenges in maritime safety.