This technical annex to the WIPO Technology Trends Report 2025 on the Future of Transportation delves into the dynamic and evolving field of sea transportation, offering a detailed analysis of global patenting trends within the maritime industry. Through an examination of patent data, this annex provides insights into innovations across a range of maritime technologies, from vessel design and propulsion systems to autonomous navigation, cargo management and environmental sustainability. It captures trends in cutting-edge developments, such as fuel-efficient engines, advanced hull design and renewable energy integration, as well as digital advancements like smart ports and real-time logistics solutions. Full details on the research methodology and different patent indicators used can be found in the Appendix to the report.
By identifying key players, geographical patterns and areas of emerging technological focus, this annex offers a comprehensive perspective on how innovation is reshaping maritime transport to meet growing demands for efficiency, safety and reduced environmental impact. Aimed at industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators, this annex is designed to be a strategic resource for understanding the future of sea transportation and its critical role in global trade and sustainability initiatives.
Overview of sea transportation
Sea transport (or maritime transport) refers to the movement of goods and passengers across bodies of water in vessels such as cargo ships, tankers, ferries and cruise liners, using sea routes and ports for international trade and travel.
Although the rise of air travel has reduced the importance of sea travel for passengers, it remains a favored mode of transport for shorter distances and leisurely cruises. As a result, coastal and marine tourism is vital to the economic prosperity of many island and coastal communities. Even more important is the role of sea transport for the global economy, as it accounts for over 80% of the world's trade in goods.
Today's seaborne trade is largely driven by the transport of fossil fuels by tankers and dry bulk carriers (Figure B2). Other important segments are container shipping and other cargo ships. According to the shipping classification society DNV, total seaborne trade is projected to grow by 39% up until 2050.
Sustainability and digitalization are megatrends playing a vital role in transforming the future of the maritime sector. The megatrend of sustainability will play a major role in the future of shipping. While ships are the most energy-efficient way to move large volumes of cargo over long distances, the sheer size of the industry means it has a significant impact on the environment. According to the World Bank, international shipping will have contributed around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, about the same as aviation.
To achieve the goal of a more sustainable shipping industry, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s revised its emissions reduction targets in 2023 to ensure that they are in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise.
Digitalization also holds great promise for shipping. By harnessing the power of digital technologies, ship movements can be optimized, fuel consumption can be reduced and better connectivity between land-based and maritime logistics networks can be achieved. This has the potential not only to streamline global supply chains, but also to significantly reduce the environmental footprint.
Sustainable Propulsion/Efficient Ship Design is a must if climate goals are to be met.
The shipping sector faces a difficult challenge: to reconcile continued growth with decarbonization targets, including net-zero shipping by 2050. Transitioning to more sustainable forms of propulsion is therefore key. Technological breakthroughs play an important role in advancing low and zero emission solutions. Key research areas are:
More sustainable carbon-based fuels play an important role in shipping's transition to lower emissions. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the most important alternative fuel and dominates alternative fuel-powered newbuild orders. The use of LNG reduces emissions compared to traditional oil-based fuels and offers high energy density, allowing ships to travel long distances. On the downside, LNG-powered ships still emit greenhouse gases, concerns about methane leaks throughout the LNG supply chain exist, and LNG is more expensive than traditional fuels. However, greener solutions, such as biofuels and biogas, are even more expensive, and the availability of biofuels and biogas will need to increase significantly to meet shipping industry demand.
An alternative is the use of hydrogen, methanol or ammonia in engines or fuel cells. Some hydrogen-powered ships are already in operation, but hydrogen has drawbacks. It is energy-intensive to produce and green hydrogen – produced from water by electrolysis – is not yet widely available. In addition, storing it is a challenge, because it takes up a lot of space. Methanol could help, as this is liquid at ambient temperatures, so it can be transported, stored and bunkered in a similar way to diesel. A.P. Moller-Maersk, one of the biggest shipping companies in the world, announced 19 methanol dual-fuel containerships on order as of October 2022 for delivery between 2023 and 2025.
(6)Maersk (2022). A.P. Moller – Maersk continues green transformation with six additional large container vessels. Available at: www.maersk.com/news/articles/2022/10/05/maersk-continues-green-transformation. However, methanol is currently many times more expensive than conventional fuels. In the long term, the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects ammonia (made from hydrogen and nitrogen) to become a key fuel for shipping, accounting for 45% of marine fuel demand by 2050.(7)IEA (2023). Transport. International Energy Agency. Available at: www.iea.org/energy-system/transport. But although several demonstration projects for ammonia-fueled ships are underway, no ammonia-fueled ships are yet available.Electric propulsion holds promise for short-range shipping, especially for small and medium-sized vessels. Electric engines already operate on some short ferry journeys.
(8)The Guardian (2018). Future sailors: What will ships look like in 30 years? Available at: www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/03/future-sailors-what-will-ships-look-like-in-30-years. Electric propulsion systems can be more efficient than conventional engines, resulting in lower operating costs. They are also less complex and have fewer moving parts than traditional engines, which can lead to improved reliability and lower maintenance costs. In addition, wind and solar power can be installed on ships to provide additional propulsion. However, the sheer weight and space taken up by batteries on ocean-going vessels makes electric propulsion unviable until there are further technological breakthroughs.In addition to the use of cleaner fuels, optimizing energy consumption through efficient ship design, such as optimizing hull shape to minimize drag, designing efficient propellers or introducing air bubbles under the hull, is another key element in achieving more sustainable shipping.
In general, scaling up production and ensuring the cost-effectiveness of carbon-neutral fuels remains a challenge. Most alternative fuels produced today are grey or brown, meaning they're made from fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, and emit carbon dioxide in the production process. Fuel flexibility will be key to navigating the evolving landscape. It is likely that we will see a variety of alternative fuels gaining traction across the industry. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
A lack of regulations is contributing to the slow uptake of alternative fuels.
Clear regulations are needed that drive investment in sustainable fuels and the required infrastructure by creating a demand for these technologies. This can bring down costs and make them more viable for shipowners. For example, the new FuelEU Maritime initiative, that enters into force in 2025, is a step in the right direction. Among other things, it sets out measures to ensure that the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels used by the shipping sector will gradually decrease over time and includes a special incentive regime to support the uptake of renewable fuels.
Communication and Security technologies make ships smarter and safer. They already play a crucial role in the maritime industry, and their importance will only increase in the future. We have identified the following key research areas within this technology trend:
The most important area is navigation. Traditional satellites in geostationary orbit have been the backbone of maritime communications for decades ensuring reliable access to navigation signals for ships relying on systems such as the global positioning system (GPS). Modern navigation systems, such as radar and collision avoidance systems (CAS) using lidar, radar and sonar technologies, can detect and warn ships of a potential collision, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation. In addition, better data sources (sensors, satellites etc.) are enabling advanced data management systems that can collect and analyze vast amounts of data. These data can be used to optimize routes and improve operational efficiency, resulting in reduced emissions and improved environmental performance.
Device-to-device communication is also becoming increasingly important. This includes technologies such as internet of things (IoT) in shipping, connected ships or smart ports. For example, advanced sensor networks and surveillance systems can provide real-time monitoring of ship operations and cargo, detecting and alerting crew members to potential hazards. D2D communication also has some overlap with navigation technologies facilitating the exchange of information between ships, enabling cooperative navigation and collision avoidance. In modern smart ports, D2D communication enables efficient coordination between ships, port authorities and logistics providers, shortening waiting times and optimizing port operations.
Modern low-latency communication includes technologies, such as 5G, HAPS (high-altitude platform station)/HALE (high-altitude long endurance), or advanced satellite technologies. These new technologies complement and enhance existing navigation and D2D communication technologies. While traditional satellite communications have limitations in terms of latency, newer low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and terrestrial networks, such as 5G, significantly reduce latency and enable real-time data exchange. HAPS/HALE drones can complement this, by providing continuous coverage over large geographical areas and filling gaps in satellite coverage. Together, these technologies provide enhanced global connectivity, allowing vessels to better stay in touch with shore operations and other vessels.
Cloud platforms provide secure storage and efficient real-time analytics of vast amounts of data collected from ships, ports and logistics networks. Insights from these data can help optimize route planning, fuel consumption, maintenance schedules and overall resource allocation.
As ships become more connected and dependent on digital technologies, creating more entry points for cyberattacks, cybersecurity is increasingly important. Maritime cybersecurity measures protect against cyberattacks that could disrupt operations, steal information or compromise control of the ship.
Taken together, these technologies form the backbone of the gradual evolution toward smarter and more autonomous ships. Smaller autonomous vessels are already operational for tasks such as surveying, inspection and cargo transport in controlled environments on short-distance inland waterways. Large commercial vessels have mostly not moved beyond a basic level of autonomy, such as semi-autonomous docking systems, because high costs are still high and there are concerns about cyber and operational risks.
In the future, however, we can expect to see remotely-operated unmanned ships and/or truly autonomous ships. The main benefit of unmanned or autonomous vessels is their potential to significantly improve maritime safety. Around from 70% to 80% of maritime accidents are due to human error, something new intelligent ships could help minimize.
Piracy remains a significant threat to shipping in certain regions of the world. Global piracy and armed robbery incidents increased by 4% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre.
Communication and Security technologies play an important role in the fight against piracy. For example, an automatic identification systems (AIS) transmits a ship's identification, position, course and speed. This allows authorities and other ships to track vessel movement and identify suspicious activity near shipping lanes. New technologies like drones for surveillance or AI-powered CCTV technology are also being explored to further enhance security. Another approach are security systems onboard such as a protected citadel within the ship where the crew can retreat and defend themselves in case of a pirate attack.
Automation and Circularity technologies will boost productivity and enable more energy-efficient ships, shaping the way we transport goods around the world. Key research themes are:
Efficient material use is one way to increase the energy efficiency of new ships. Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) holds great promise in this regard. It enables the creation of complex, lightweight structures using less material than traditional methods. This translates into lighter ships, reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. In addition, the ability to produce spare parts on board ships using additive manufacturing can reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.
(17)Kostidi, E. and N. Nikitakos (2024). Revolutionizing the marine spare parts supply chain through additive manufacturing: A system dynamics simulation case study. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 12(9), 1515. Available at: www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/9/1515. Another way to increase energy efficiency in shipbuilding is to use advanced materials, such as carbon fibre reinforced polymers, instead of steel to build lighter ships.(18)European Commission (2023). Key technologies for the digitalisation of transport. Available at: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/technologies-digitalisation-transport.
Smart production/robotics technology plays a vital role in shipbuilding, maintenance and logistics. Automated cranes and container handling systems streamline loading and unloading, maximizing efficiency. In addition, industrial robots are taking on increasingly specialized roles within the shipping industry. One example is their use in hull cleaning and maintenance. Robots that attach to the hull and navigate its surface can efficiently clean and remove barnacles and other marine growth, contributing to both environmental and economic benefits. Another example is ship inspection: inspection robots equipped with advanced sensors and cameras can navigate tight spaces and access hard-to-reach areas, identifying cracks, corrosion and other potential problems with greater accuracy and efficiency than a manual inspection.
Recycling: The practice of "beaching" ships poses significant environmental and safety risks. New technologies are being developed to recycle ship components and materials in a more environmentally-friendly way. New hydrometallurgical recycling processes extract valuable metals without harmful emissions, while shipbuilders are increasingly incorporating recycled materials into new buildings. Such efforts exemplify the shift toward a circular economy, where ships are designed to be easily dismantled and their components reused or repurposed. Enforcement of the Hong Kong Convention (IMO) and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (European Commission) will further push the industry toward cleaner and safer dismantling practices.
Human–Machine Interface (HMI) technologies are still at an early stage within the shipping industry, but emerging as useful tools that will improve the way we interact with ships. However, it is important to note that all HMI technologies remain at the early stages of development and adoption in shipping. Research areas include:
Extended reality technologies (including augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality and the metaverse), offer immersive training experiences. For example, a trainee engineer could virtually experience challenging maintenance tasks onboard a vessel at sea, by wearing a headset that overlays digital information onto the real world. Such simulations eliminate risk to life and equipment, while providing training in a controlled environment. In addition, remote experts can guide trainees through complex procedures using interactive augmented reality overlays, bridging geographical distances and providing real-time support.
Speech recognition technology has the potential to improve communication, efficiency and safety in shipping. For example, this technology could enable hands-free voice commands to control navigation systems, access information and report data, thereby reducing the workload and fatigue of bridge personnel.
Facial recognition has potential applications in shipping, including improved access control and secure boarding for crew and authorized personnel at ports and onboard vessels. It could also improve security and reduce theft by identifying authorized personnel when handling cargo. It could also speed up the boarding and embarkation process for passenger ships. However, there are serious privacy concerns in respect to the collection and storage of biometric data that will require strong privacy regulations and informed consent from individuals, as well as robust security measures to prevent data breaches.
Touch displays could replace physical buttons and knobs for navigation and system control, offering intuitive interfaces and faster access to information. Data gloves could be useful for remote inspection and repairs with augmented reality overlays, enhancing efficiency and safety.