Offshore Support Vessel Market

Market Overview

The global Offshore Support Vessel Market size was valued at USD 15.21 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 28.20 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Increasing oil and gas exploration operations is the primary market driver boosting the offshore support vessel market growth.

Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) are specialist vessels that help with various offshore activities, primarily in the oil and gas industry. These vessels are constructed and outfitted to handle various offshore exploration, production, construction, maintenance, and logistics duties. OSVs are critical to offshore operations' safety, efficiency, and productivity.

Offshore Support Vessel Market share is shifting away from classic vessels and toward more advanced, deepwater-capable alternatives, as evidenced by a rising, younger fleet outfitted with cutting-edge technologies. OSVs' roles are expanding beyond transportation as offshore operations become more complicated and spread further from shore. These boats' size, efficiency, and adaptability are projected to evolve. Larger vessels are expected to fulfill rising cargo needs and comply with impending rules, while better fuel economy is consistent with the industry's goal of sustainability. High-specification, adaptable OSV designs will continue to be in demand, in line with the industry's emphasis on safety and redundancy to assure continuous operations.

Market Dynamics

Global Offshore Support Vessel Market Drivers:

Offshore Exploration and Production Activities

Rising oil and natural gas demand promotes offshore exploration and production, particularly in rising nations. The demand for OSVs to support these operations grows as corporations explore deeper seas and more isolated regions. Deepwater offshore oil reserves require specialist OSVs to support drilling, carry employees, and provide critical logistics. Deepwater drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico has increased. As of 2020, there were over 150 deepwater platforms in operation in the Gulf, according to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Furthermore, the discovery and production of oil and gas deposits in distant and difficult offshore regions such as the Arctic necessitates using OSVs capable of operating under severe conditions. Also, the rapidly expanding economies of countries such as China and India have raised energy demand. This, in turn, has stimulated offshore exploration and production activity throughout Asia, fueling the region's demand for OSVs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Asia will account for most global energy demand in 2022, overtaking other regions. 

The vibrancy of the offshore exploration and production sector directly impacts the need for offshore support vessels. As enterprises explore new frontiers and mine deepwater reserves to fulfill global energy demands, the Offshore Support vessel market trend continues to play a critical role in ensuring safe and effective offshore operations.

Global Offshore Support Vessel Market Restraints:

Fluctuating Oil and Gas Industry

The offshore support vessel (OSV) market is essentially cyclical, with the health of the oil and gas industry being strongly linked. Oil price fluctuations and market conditions have a direct impact on OSV demand. Demand for OSVs can fall dramatically during periods of low oil prices and fewer exploration and production activities, resulting in lower utilization and day rates for OSV operators. Many OSV operators encountered financial issues during low oil prices and lower demand and fought to sustain profitability. Some operators were forced to lay up vessels or postpone fleet expansion and upgrades.

Despite the industry's cyclical nature, the OSV sector has demonstrated resilience and the potential to recover during increased oil prices and demand. OSV operators who have survived market downturns have benefited from market upswings.

Global Offshore Support Vessel Market Opportunity:

Renewable Energy Support

Offshore renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind farms, are growing in popularity, which creates a big opportunity for OSVs. These ships are ideal for assisting in installing, maintaining, and servicing wind turbines and associated infrastructure in offshore wind farms. Offshore wind energy is growing rapidly. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), global offshore wind capacity reached 35 G.W. in 2020, with more expansion planned.

OSVs transport crews to and from offshore wind farms. These vessels convey repair and service professionals safely and efficiently. CTVs are a subset of OSVs that are specifically built for this function. The global CTV market has expanded in response to the growth of offshore wind generation. OSVs are also used to install underwater power lines that connect offshore wind turbines to onshore grids. They help with cable placement and burying. The offshore wind inter-array and export cable industry is growing. According to the European Market Outlook for Subsea Cable Installation published in 2021, over 20,000 kilometers of subsea power cables will be built in European waters by 2030.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global offshore support vessel market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America is the most significant global offshore support vessel market shareholder. North American offshore oil and gas output has increased significantly because oil prices and drilling costs have decreased. The region's strong offshore drilling activity, in turn, is likely to be a major driver for the offshore support vessel industry. Shallow-water drilling activity has declined in the Gulf of Mexico since 2016, owing to lower production rates in the same fields where the operators are working and a lack of shallow-water discoveries in recent years. To maintain offshore production, the region's exploration and development businesses are shifting to deepwater fields in response to increased demand for oil and gas resources, which can considerably fuel the offshore vessel market growth.

Furthermore, many producers have recently had success in their offshore exploration efforts. For example, in August 2022, Hess Corporation announced an oil discovery near the company's Stampede offshore production platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Talos Energy stated in January 2023 that it had produced two deepwater Gulf of Mexico finds, including oil and natural gas, during drilling operations in late 2022. Because of these findings, there is expected to be much production in the region's deep waters shortly, and offshore vessel providers will likely get more requests.

Europe's offshore supply vessel market has the second-largest market share. A growing number of sustainable energy initiatives and considerable hydrocarbon reserves drive European market expansion. North Sea bordering nations such as the United Kingdom and Norway are spending heavily on exploring oil and gas possibilities in deep and ultradeep water reservoirs. Furthermore, ambitious targets the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and German governments set will improve the regional outlook. The U.K. Wind Energy Database shows that the United Kingdom has the highest offshore wind installation rate at 28.9%. Furthermore, the German offshore supply vessel market had the biggest market share, while the U.K. was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific offshore supply vessel industry will likely grow rapidly according to the offshore support vessel market insights. These findings indicate imminent active production in the region's deep waters and generate new requests from offshore supply vessel suppliers. According to Scottish Development International, the area will become a major player in the offshore sector. CAPEX for new offshore developments in the Asia-Pacific is expected to account for up to 25% of global spending. China, India, Japan, Australia, and other Southeast Asian countries are major regional participants. Furthermore, China's offshore supply vessel market had the greatest market share, while India's was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Middle East and Africa market is expected to hold a significant position due to the availability of vast untapped reservoirs at low capital cost. As a result, installing modern FPSO vessels to produce bulk volumes from various offshore deposits is projected to complement the regional environment further. In January 2020, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd. announced an extension agreement with B.W. Offshore for the Abo FPSO unit until the end of the fourth quarter of 2020. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Nigeria are among the major players in the region.

Segmental Analysis

The global offshore support vessel market is segmented based on vessel type, water depth, application, and region.

Vessel type is further segmented into Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS), Platform Supply Vessels (PSV), and Crew Vessel.

Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS) occupies the major share of the market. Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels are strong and adaptable vessels intended to handle anchors and tow huge goods, making them indispensable for anchor handling and towing operations. They have strong winches, dynamic positioning systems (D.P.), and modern propulsion systems. Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS) is expected to account for the lion's share during the forecast period. AHTS units provide a strong design and a variety of extra characteristics to propel massive oil and gas buildings from shore to the appropriate site. In addition to their employment in rescue missions, the vessels provide large equipment such as anchors, winches, tugs, and many others to hydrocarbon E&P sites and cargo-carrying barges.

Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) transport supplies, equipment, and materials to offshore platforms and installations. They typically have a huge cargo capacity and are outfitted with material-handling cranes.

Based on water depth, the market is sub-segmented into Shallow, Deep, and Ultra-Deep Water.

Deep waters hold the maximum share of the market. Offshore areas with depths ranging from 200 meters to around 1,500 meters (approximately 4,921 feet) are considered deep water. Because of the increased depth and harsh conditions in these areas, specialized OSVs are required. Furthermore, the discovery of new reserves with high production capacities over a lengthy period is expected to impact this market landscape significantly.

Ultra-deep water, often known as extremely deep water, refers to offshore areas with depths of more than 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). These are the most difficult and distant offshore situations.

The segment can be bifurcated by application into Oil and gas, Offshore Wind, Patrolling, Research, and surveying.

Offshore Wind led the market growth. OSVs play an important role in the offshore wind energy industry, assisting in installing, maintaining, and servicing offshore wind farms. These vessels deliver workers, equipment, and wind turbine components. Because of the deployment of sustainable energy sources, offshore wind application is expected to develop significantly during the projection period.

OSVs play an important role in the offshore wind energy industry, assisting in installing, maintaining, and servicing offshore wind farms. These vessels deliver workers, equipment, and wind turbine components. Because of the deployment of sustainable energy sources, offshore wind application is expected to develop significantly during the projection period.

The oil and gas sector's offshore support vessels (OSVs) are critical to offshore exploration, drilling, production, and maintenance operations. They help move workers, equipment, and supplies and provide critical support services.

Recent Developments

• October 2023- Maersk signed an agreement with Starlink for its Ocean fleet.
• July 2023- Tidewater acquired and financed platform supply vessels from Solstad Offshore.