Hydrofoil Boats Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

Hydrofoil Boats Market Overview

The global hydrofoil boats market size is valued at USD 1,100.09 million in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 5,961.89 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 20.2% during the forecast period. Consistent growth of the market is supported by the increasing adoption of high-speed and fuel-efficient marine vessels, rising demand for advanced maritime solutions in crew transfer and construction support operations, and continuous advancements in hydrofoil design and control technologies that enhance stability, operational efficiency, and overall performance across commercial and industrial marine applications.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America dominated the market with a revenue share of 36.4% in 2025.
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 22.1% during the forecast period.
• Based on hydrofoil configuration, the Fully Submerged Hydrofoil Boats segment held the highest market share of 58.7% in 2025.
• By hull construction material, the Composite Hull Hydrofoil Boats segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR growth of 21.6% during the forecast period.
• By control system, the Fly-by-Wire Controlled Hydrofoil Boats segment dominated the market in 2025, accounting for a revenue share of 44.9%.
• Based on application, the Crew Transfer Vessels segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% during the forecast period.
• The U.S. dominates the hydrofoil boats market, valued at USD 398.6 million in 2024 and reaching USD 452.3 million in 2025.

Source: Straits Research

Market Revenue Figures

• 2025 Market Size: USD 1100.09 million
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 5961.89 million
• CAGR (2026-2034): 20.2%
• Dominating Region: North America
• Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific

The global hydrofoil boats market comprises a broad range of high-performance marine craft featuring surface-piercing and completely submerged hydrofoiling designs aimed at improving speeds, marine stability, and fuel economy in various marine operations. The boats are made from aluminum, composites, or a combination of both and integrated with mechanical, fly-by-wire, and autonomous-capable control systems that make high-performance and precise marine routing possible. Moreover, hydrofoil boats are used in various applications, which include crew transfer boats, material transport boats, dredging support boats, and pile-driving support boats, catering to various marine operations for different industries, such as offshore energy and marine construction, with solutions that are defined and focused on efficiency and are available in the global market.

Market Trends

Transition from Conventional Marine Vessels to High-Efficiency Hydrofoil Platforms

The maritime transport and offshore operations have increasingly transitioned from the use of displacement boats to hydrofoil boats that provide greater speeds, fuel economies, and stability. Conventionally, the offshore transport of crew and supplies has involved the use of fuel-guzzling boats that have historically posed challenges in turbulent sea conditions. Hydrofoil boats, which have experience in the last decade, have the advantage of raising their hull out of the water at specific speeds, thus providing remarkable fuel economies. The new trend towards adopting designs in maritime transport that focus on fuel economies is thus revolutionizing maritime transport by providing quick transport, reduced emissions, and enhanced crew comforts, especially in offshore wind farms and maritime construction sites.

Fast Adoption of Hydrofoils in Offshore Energy and Marine Engineering Operations

The use of hydrofoil ships is experiencing rapid growth in parallel with the development of offshore wind, oil & gas, and infrastructure projects around the globe. Hydrofoil ships were first used in niche, high-speed projects, but are now being incorporated in crew transport, materials transport, dredging support, and pile driving contracts on account of their stability characteristics and effects on wave action. With the higher project intensity in offshore environments and compressed project schedules, the demand for ships that can offer efficiency at higher speeds in a varied sea state has grown. This is a factor of a general trend toward more advanced marine engineering technology to improve project productivity in offshore marine construction.

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Market Driver

Government-Backed Expansion of Offshore Wind and Marine Infrastructure Projects

The rapidly expanding offshore wind farms and other offshore infrastructure projects are being identified as a major driving force for the hydrofoil boats market. Governments in the North American, European, and Asian Pacific regions have set massive offshore wind farm projects and other offshore infrastructure development projects to promote the energy transition and maritime infrastructure modernization processes. The national offshore wind plans in the US and other European countries have set massive capacity growth targets by 2030, thus directly contributing to the growth of the market. The hydrofoil boats are being largely preferred for their desirable performance characteristics, including enhanced speed, low fuel expenditure, and enhanced stability, to transport workers, infrastructure, and materials to the offshore wind farms.

Market Restraint

Mandatory Regulations for HSVs and Operational Restrictions on Route Levels

The most significant factors that act as a restraint in the hydrofoil boats industry is the strict regulatory framework adopted by high-speed and non-conventional boats at the global level. The hydrofoil boats come into the purview of the International Maritime Organization’s High-Speed Craft Code, and it holds very stringent norms concerning the safety of the passengers as well as the evacuation system and the severity of the sea conditions during which the boats have to operate at different speeds. Furthermore, the respective coast guards of different countries have their own guidelines and certifications for route-wise operation of the hydrofoils, which are restricted to specific routes and sea areas characterized by calm conditions. Additionally, the ability to comply with the safety treaties of SOLAS and the operation certifications by the respective coast guards of North America and Europe might cause considerable delay in the commercial utilization of the hydrofoil boats for different construction purposes at the global level.

Market Opportunity

Incorporating Hydrofoil Boats into Nationwide Water Transport and Coastal Mobility Services

The incorporation of hydrofoil boats in government-controlled water transport systems is presenting emerging opportunities within the market. Many coastal municipalities and island territories are beginning to explore the incorporation of hydrofoil boats within passenger transport services, as well as worker transport networks off the mainland, considering the speed that such craft are capable of achieving. Additionally, while conventional transport boats typically affect ocean wakes, the use of hydrofoil boat transport systems allows faster point-to-point connectivity along the marine routes while having little impact on the wake created. This growing development utility role within organized marine transport networks is presenting opportunities within the market.

Regional Analysis

North America held the largest share in the market in the year 2025, with a share of 36.4%. This can be attributed to the early adoption of advanced marine vessels in offshore construction, crew transfer, and support for offshore infrastructure by the region. The presence of a large number of offshore wind farms, well-developed marine engineering development, and a set of best practices for operations in the region has motivated the operators to use hydrofoil boats to enhance the efficiency of the journey and thus make use of hydrofoil boats in the region.

The growth of the market for hydrofoil boats in the U.S. is driven by the use of these boats for carrying out maintenance work for offshore energy production. The use of hydrofoil boats has been increasing as a result of fast crew transfer, material transportation, and a focus on efficiency, reduced transit times, and safety standards. Some U.S. coastal states are adopting these boats for performing wind farm projects scheduled to take place, which has driven the growth of the market.

Asia Pacific Market Insights

The Asia Pacific market is turning out to be the fastest-growing market with a CAGR of 22.1% during the period of forecasting due to the fast development of infrastructure along the coasts of this region and the rising development and construction of offshore energy and port development initiatives. Countries in this region are spending heavily on the development of offshore wind farms, dredging operations, and the development of the coasts of this region due to the rising demand for the efficient use of marine support boats and vessels of this type. A rising demand for a stable and eco-friendly vessel with speed is fueling the hydrofoil boats industry.

The China hydrofoil boats market is experiencing steady growth because of the massive coastal construction activities, development of offshore wind farms, and extensive development of ports. The renewed focus of China on improving the efficiency of offshore logistics and the support for frequent crew transfer between shore-based facilities and offshore locations have resulted in the demand for advanced vessels, which are represented by hydrofoil boats. The increased domestic production capacities and the use of hydrofoil boats for construction support and material transport are making China a major growth driver for the Asia Pacific hydrofoil boats market.

Source: Straits Research

Europe Market Insights

The European region is also witnessing a steady growth in its hydrofoil boat market, largely due to the appropriate emphasis placed on offshore wind projects in the region. Many European countries on the coastline are increasingly using fast hydrofoil boat transfers to facilitate the logistical operations involved in the offshore projects. Additionally, the port intensity in Europe is also driving the demand for low-wake marine vessels, thus increasing the growth of the European market.

The market for hydrofoil boats is picking up in Germany, thanks to the rise in offshore wind capacity in the North and Baltic Sea regions. The demand for hydrofoil boats is growing for their quick crew transfer and logistics support roles for offshore platforms, where reliability and shorter transfer times are paramount. The focus of Germany’s precision and efficiency requirements in maritime construction work is spurring the development of high-performance hydrofoil boats for offshore project execution and offshore asset maintenance.

Latin America Market Insights

Latin America hydrofoil boats market is influenced by the increasing investment in infrastructure and construction in the coastal regions of countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The rising development of seaports and construction activities in the offshore regions is increasing the demand for stable and faster support boats. Hydrofoil boats are gaining popularity in the Latin America market as an appropriate approach to facilitate the transportation of staff and construction material through the construction area in the nearshore and offshore regions.

The market for hydrofoil boats in Brazil is emerging as a result of rising projects related to oil, gas, and alternative fuel production along its long coastline. The requirement to transfer personnel and cargo between coastal bases and platforms has led to a growing need for fast hydrofoil boats. Current improvements to its port infrastructure also support sustainable marine transfer boats that can transfer personnel without negatively affecting the environment or water.

Middle East and Africa Market Insights

The Middle East and Africa hydrofoil boats market is gradually moving ahead due to the increasing investments by the coastal nations in the development of marine infrastructure, offshore energy resources, and large-scale waterfront development projects. The difficult marine environment and the long distance to offshore destinations are promoting the usage of faster, more stable, and reliable vessels. The hydrofoil boats are gaining acceptance as the right choice for supporting offshore construction, maintenance, and logistics activities.

The market for hydrofoil boats in the United Arab Emirates is increasing because of the extensive development of the UAE coasts and offshore construction activities. Hydrofoil boats are being evaluated for use in the crew transfer and support role in areas surrounding offshore constructions, involving quick mobility and less disturbance of waves. The UAE’s emphasis on the use of advanced marine technologies for upscale development projects on the coast and offshore areas makes the UAE a major adopting country for hydrofoil boats in the Middle East and Africa region.

Hydrofoil Configuration Insights

The fully submerged hydrofoil boats segment held the largest revenue share of 58.7% in 2025 in the hydrofoil boats market. This is because of the greater stability offered by these boats, as well as less effect of waves and improved safety while sailing at faster speeds than surface-piercing boats.

The surface piercing hydrofoil boats segment is anticipated to demonstrate the highest growth rates, registering an estimated CAGR of 21.8% in the coming years. This can be ascribed to their less complex design along with minimal maintenance requirements.

Source: Straits Research

Hull Construction Material Insights

The aluminum hull hydrofoil boats segment accounts for a major share in 2025, with 38.6% market share in terms of revenue. The major reason for this market's dominance is that aluminum is used on a large scale in marine construction, and this material has high strength and ease of fabrication.

The composite hull hydrofoil boats type is set to experience the highest growth rate, posting a CAGR of approximately 21.6% in the coming years. This is attributed to rising adoption in the use of crew transfer and construction support vessels, in which efficiency in operations, lower resistance, and fuel efficiency play a significant role in meeting time and efficiency needs.

Control System Insights

The market was led by Fly-by-Wire Controlled Hydrofoil Boats in 2025 with a share of 44.9%. This can be ascribed to the improved maneuverability offered by these control systems, along with better foil position control capability and increased speed.

The autonomous-ready hydrofoil boats segment will record the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The reason behind the surge in this segment will be the full utilization of advanced "decision support systems that significantly reduce the need for human operation," particularly in the offshore region.

Application Insights

The crew transfer vessels segment is expected to record the highest compound annual growth rate of 21.4%, attributed to the increasing adoption of offshore wind farms, oil & gas maintenance in offshore fields, and broad-scale construction projects in marine environments. With offshore developments continuing to increase in distance from shores and development timeframes continuing to shrink, operators in this space are beginning to opt for faster and more stable crew transfer methods involving hydrofoil-based crew transfer vessels.

Competitive Landscape

The global hydrofoil boats market has a moderate level of fragmentation and includes the specialty vessel builders and the marine engineering firms engaged in the hydrofoil technologies. A handful of firm players make up most of the market share with their sophisticated vessel designs, proprietary hydrofoil designs, and the prominent role played by them in some of the commercial sectors.

The key players that operate within the market include Candela Technology AB, Enata Marine, Artemis Technologies, and others. The players within the industry are vying to deepen their market presence through the development of the latest generation of hydrofoils, extending their application-specific offerings, and forming alliances with the offshore energy sector, construction marine industries, and transport firms.

Candela: An Emerging Market Player

Candela Technology AB's Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry caught attention as a notable product development in the area of hydrofoil ferry technology in the year 2025.

• In October 2025, the company signed a contract with Seudamgo from Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd. for the supply of 10 P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries for the transportation of passengers from the mainland to Koh Kood Island. This marks the speedy regional development of the electric hydrofoil offerings.

Thus, Candela is one of the major players in the hydrofoil boats industry, which has been able to gain significant traction through the development of innovative solutions.

List of key players in Hydrofoil Boats Market

1. Candela Technology AB
2. Enata Marine
3. Artemis Technologies
4. Boeing
5. Foilborne
6. Navatek Ltd.
7. Viper Boats
8. Monaco Marine
9. Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
10. Supramar
11. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
12. Kawasaki Heavy Industries
13. Baltic Workboats
14. ZF Friedrichshafen AG
15. Austal Limited
16. Fincantieri S.p.A.
17. Damen Shipyards Group
18. BAE Systems
19. L3Harris Technologies
20. Strategic Marine Group
21. Others

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Strategic Initiatives

• July 2025: Enata Marine announced development of new expanded Foiler variants, including limousine and hydrogen propulsion models. Enata’s ongoing product development pipeline emphasizes extended market reach with larger and alternative propulsion hydrofoil platforms suitable for both luxury and specialized missions.
• July 2025: Navier showcased its N30 Pioneer electric hydrofoil boat at the Montauk Yacht Club event. Navier hosted a two-day showcase where attendees experienced the N30 Pioneer electric hydrofoil with a 75-nautical-mile range and 30-knot top speed, demonstrating real-world performance and customer engagement potential.
• May 2025: Artemis Technologies partnered with the Port of Rotterdam to demonstrate zero-emission hydrofoil vessels. Artemis’s collaboration showcased its electric foiling vessel designs in one of Europe’s busiest maritime hubs, supporting commercial readiness of zero-emission hydrofoils for ferry and support operations.
• November 2024: Yinson GreenTech unveiled the Hydroglyder, Singapore’s first fully electric hydrofoil vessel capable of carrying up to 12 passengers at a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots. This launch at Offshore Energy Week 2024 represented a tangible expansion of electric hydrofoil solutions into crew transfer and passenger transport markets in Southeast Asia.