Pipe Laying Vessels Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Installation (J-lay Barges, S-lay Barges, Reel Barges), By Positioning System (Anchor System, Dynamic Positioning System), By Depth (Shallow Water, Deep Water), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.67 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.93%
Fastest Growing Segment	Shallow Water
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.13 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Pipe Laying Vessels Market is projected to grow from USD 3.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.13 Billion by 2031 at a 8.93% CAGR. Pipe laying vessels are specialized maritime assets engineered for the subsea installation of pipelines that connect offshore oil and gas platforms to onshore refineries or processing terminals. The primary drivers supporting the market's growth include the rising global demand for energy which necessitates exploration in deeper waters and the extensive development of offshore wind farms requiring complex cabling and pipeline infrastructure. Additionally the need to replace or upgrade aging subsea networks in mature basins further sustains the demand for these vessels distinct from broader technological adoption trends.

However a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the inherent operational risk and safety complexity associated with working in harsh offshore environments which can lead to project delays and increased insurance costs. Maintaining rigorous safety standards is critical yet difficult in unpredictable conditions. According to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), in 2025, line of fire incidents remained a persistent issue accounting for 52% of all lost time injuries reported by marine contractor members during the previous year. This highlights the ongoing struggle to mitigate hazardous incidents despite advanced protocols.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in offshore oil and gas production activities serves as a primary catalyst for the deployment of pipe laying vessels globally. As energy majors sanction new developments in deeper waters to secure reserves, the requirement for high-specification vessels capable of installing rigid and flexible flowlines in complex subsea environments increases significantly. This revitalization of exploration and production campaigns directly translates to higher utilization rates for the global fleet, as contractors must secure assets to fulfill engineering, procurement, construction, and installation mandates. The intensity of this demand is evident in the financial performance of leading industry players who operate these specialized assets. According to TechnipFMC, October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release', subsea inbound orders reached $2.5 billion, reflecting the continued momentum in project awards that necessitate extensive vessel operations for resource extraction infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the expansion of offshore wind and renewable energy projects provides a distinct yet complementary growth avenue for the market. These renewable initiatives require vessels for the installation of massive inter-array and export cable networks which often utilize modified pipe laying equipment or similar operational methodologies. The global push for decarbonization is driving substantial infrastructure investments that rely heavily on maritime construction support to connect offshore generation sites to onshore grids. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, June 2024, in the 'Global Offshore Wind Report 2024', the industry is projected to install 410 GW of new offshore wind capacity over the next ten years, creating sustained demand for subsea installation services. This dual demand from both the fossil fuel and renewable sectors strengthens the financial stability of vessel operators. According to Subsea7, in 2024, the company reported a backlog of $11.3 billion, highlighting the robust project pipeline awaiting execution by major marine contractors.

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Key Market Challenges

The inherent operational risk and safety complexity associated with working in harsh offshore environments constitutes a substantial barrier to the expansion of the Global Pipe Laying Vessels Market. Projects located in deep-water basins or regions subject to volatile weather conditions are inherently unpredictable, frequently leading to forced operational interruptions. These interruptions directly escalate project costs through extended vessel charter times and necessitate higher insurance premiums to cover potential liabilities. Consequently, the financial unpredictability associated with these hazardous environments makes operators cautious, as the capital required to manage safety risks and potential delays significantly erodes profit margins and discourages investment in new, capital-intensive vessel deployments.

The persistence of these operational hazards is evident in recent industry performance metrics, which highlight the difficulty of maintaining accident-free environments despite established protocols. According to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), in 2024, the Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) increased to 1.1 incidents per million hours worked, reflecting a broader upward trend in operational incidents compared to the previous year. This rising frequency of recordable injuries forces marine contractors to divert substantial resources toward liability management and emergency response planning. As a result, the financial burden of compliance and the risk of safety-related project stoppages limit the available capital for fleet expansion, thereby hampering the overall growth of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Adaptation of Fleets for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Projects is reshaping the market as operators deploy assets to construct infrastructure for decarbonization. Unlike traditional extraction, these projects utilize pipe laying vessels to install specialized flowlines for transporting dense-phase carbon dioxide, creating a revenue stream driven by climate policy rather than global energy demand. This transition allows contractors to repurpose high-specification assets for large-scale abatement schemes, effectively diversifying their operational portfolios beyond fossil fuels. According to Subsea7, March 2025, in the 'Subsea7 awarded contract offshore Norway' press release, the company was selected to execute the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of a five-kilometer CO2 pipeline for the Northern Lights Phase 2 project, validating the sector's strategic pivot toward supporting new energy value chains.

Simultaneously, the Advancement in Automated Pipe Handling and Welding Systems is enhancing fleet efficiency by accelerating cycle times and reducing manual intervention. Operators are retrofitting vessels with upgraded onboard factories to ensure consistent weld quality and higher lay rates, which are critical for mitigating risks and costs in hostile offshore environments. These automated improvements streamline production processes, directly lowering the operational time required per kilometer of installed infrastructure. According to Allseas, February 2025, in the 'First contract award for Solitaire double joint factory upgrade' announcement, the company committed to a major modernization of its vessel Solitaire by installing state-of-the-art automated handling equipment to improve the performance of a system that has historically processed over 13,000 kilometers of pipe.

Segmental Insights

The Shallow Water segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global Pipe Laying Vessels Market, driven by a convergence of renewable energy expansion and cost-efficient hydrocarbon extraction. This growth is primarily catalyzed by the global surge in offshore wind farm developments, which require extensive subsea cabling and inter-array pipeline installations in accessible depths. Furthermore, energy operators are increasingly prioritizing shallow water oil and gas projects due to their lower capital expenditure and reduced operational risks compared to deepwater alternatives. The segment is also supported by the critical need for maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure in mature basins, ensuring sustained demand for vessels specialized in these environments.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Pipe Laying Vessels Market due to extensive offshore oil and gas exploration activities, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. The region maintains a strong market position through consistent capital expenditure on deepwater projects and the expansion of subsea infrastructure. High energy production levels reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration drive the demand for marine vessels capable of installing underwater pipelines. Additionally, established industry participants and favorable government policies support the continuous development of energy transport networks, ensuring North America remains the primary revenue generator in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Saipem was awarded a major offshore contract worth approximately $1.5 billion for the third phase of the Sakarya gas field development in the Black Sea. The scope of work encompassed the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of a 183-kilometer gas export pipeline and eight rigid flowlines at water depths of up to 2,200 meters. The company planned to deploy its flagship pipelay vessel, the Castorone, to execute the offshore installation operations scheduled for 2027. This agreement further consolidated the company's presence in the region and its role in developing critical energy infrastructure.
• In January 2025, Allseas successfully completed a fast-track pipeline installation project off the coast of Trinidad using its vessel, the Lorelay. For this project, the company deployed the "bowstring" start-up method for the first time in its history, connecting the pipeline start-up head directly to the platform jacket leg. This operational breakthrough allowed the team to engineer and install a 22-kilometer multiphase line at depths of 60 to 70 meters in just ten days. Following this achievement, the vessel returned to Rotterdam for a lifetime extension to prepare for future carbon capture pipeline projects in Europe.
• In December 2024, Subsea7 secured three major contracts for offshore infrastructure projects in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Saudi Arabia. One of the awards involved the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of a production flowline and subsea infrastructure for a deepwater development in the Alaminos Canyon. Another contract required the installation of a high-pressure subsea tieback, including flowlines and risers, at water depths reaching 2,000 meters. Additionally, the company won a long-term agreement for the decommissioning of existing facilities and the installation of new pipelines at the Abu Safah field, confirming its strong position in global offshore markets.
• In June 2024, the DOF Group announced that its joint venture with TechnipFMC had secured contract extensions with Petrobras for operations in Brazil. The agreement covered three pipelay support vessels—Skandi Vitória, Skandi Niterói, and Skandi Açu—dedicated to installing flexible pipes and umbilicals in deep waters. The contracts for two of these vessels were extended for three years, while the third vessel also received a significant extension to its existing terms. This development highlighted the sustained demand for specialized vessels in the Brazilian pre-salt region and reinforced the strategic collaboration between the companies and the state-owned energy giant for critical offshore construction services.

Key Market Players

• Allseas Group SA
• CIMIC Group Ltd.
• Hanwha Corp.
• Havila Shipping ASA
• Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc.
• Hyundai Heavy Industries Group
• John Swire and Sons Ltd.
• McDermott International Ltd.

By Installation	By Positioning System	By Depth	By Region
J-lay Barges S-lay Barges Reel Barges	Anchor System Dynamic Positioning System	Shallow Water Deep Water	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Pipe Laying Vessels Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Pipe Laying Vessels Market, By Installation:

• J-lay Barges
• S-lay Barges
• Reel Barges

• Pipe Laying Vessels Market, By Positioning System:

• Anchor System
• Dynamic Positioning System

• Pipe Laying Vessels Market, By Depth:

• Shallow Water
• Deep Water

• Pipe Laying Vessels Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE