Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market

Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 8.60% from 2025 to 2035
• The Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market Size is expected to reach at a substantial share by 2035

According to a research report published by Decisions Advisors, the Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.60% during the forecast period 2025-2035. The market is being driven by rising demand and the need for ocean cleaning using unmanned vehicles, greater use in defence operations, technological improvements, and enhanced intelligence.

Market Overview

The Canadian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market is concerned with autonomous or remotely piloted vessels that perform marine operations without the need for onboard human interaction. These vehicles are utilised in defence, commercial, and scientific applications, and the market monitors their manufacture, acceptance, and growth in Canada. USVs provide numerous advantages, including commercial and scientific applications, as well as defence, search and rescue, and other uses. USV usage is steadily increasing across a wide range of industries, including aquaculture. They show the potential to be useful in disaster management. USVs serve a variety of applications in trade, research, and the military, providing a more cost-effective option for hydrographic surveys and oceanographic research than standard research vessels. They also play an important part in military operations by serving as the first line of defence, reducing the risk to military troops.

Canada's Ocean Supercluster launched a $1.1 million uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) enhanced offshore fishing project, which aims to promote sustainable fishing techniques and offshore innovation. ABCO of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, leads the program in collaboration with Clearwater Seafoods.

Report Coverage

This research report categorises the market for the Canada unmanned surface vehicle market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Canada unmanned surface vehicle market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Canada unmanned surface vehicle market.

Driving Factor

Canada's unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market is driven by increased naval military investments under the Strong, Secure, Engaged policy and Arctic sovereignty goals amid geopolitical concerns. Also, technological advancements in AI, autonomous navigation, and hybrid propulsion improve endurance and multifunctionality, attracting commercial operators in fisheries and hydrography, creating new market growth opportunities. Manufacturers are developing USV designs through miniaturisation and modularity, allowing for smaller, more easily deployable platforms that can be customised for a variety of tasks, as well as incorporating hybrid propulsion and renewable energy sources such as solar power to improve efficiency and durability. Moreover, increased cooperation between defence forces and technology companies hasten autonomous system and sensor innovation, which extends the market growth.

In July 2025, Canadian startup Sailbotix successfully launched its new solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) off the coast of Victoria, British Columbia. The maiden test was fully successful, marking a milestone in Canada’s autonomous maritime technology sector. 

Restraining Factors

The Canadian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) business is hampered by high acquisition prices, legal barriers to autonomous operations, severe Arctic conditions that impair reliability, a limited qualified workforce, and cybersecurity risks, all of which hinder broader acceptance despite rising demand.

Market Segmentation

The Canada unmanned surface vehicle market share is classified into mode of operation and hull type.

• The remotely operated segment held a significant share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period.

The Canada unmanned surface vehicle market is segmented by mode of operation into autonomous and remotely operated. Among these, the remotely operated segment held a significant share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. This segmental growth is driven by its balanced approach to automation and human supervision. This segment gains enhanced reliability and operational flexibility by integrating autonomous capabilities with manual control, which is especially desirable in complicated or uncertain circumstances.

• The catamaran segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Canada unmanned surface vehicle market is divided by hull type into kayak, catamaran, trimaran, and rigid inflatable hull. Among these, the catamaran segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This hull provides superior balance, is ideal for high speed and moderate weight carrying capacity, and has higher resistance. Furthermore, having exceptional seakeeping skills and a greater accessible desk area makes them an excellent alternative for USVs.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Canada unmanned surface vehicle market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Cellula Robotics Ltd.
• Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems
• UVAD
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In July 2025, UK-based Zero USV’s Oceanus12 autonomous vessel completed trials in Plymouth and is now headed to Canada, where it will join Leeway Marine’s fleet under the new name ASV Viper. This marks Zero USV’s first international deployment under its franchise model.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at Canada, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decisions Advisors has segmented the Canada unmanned surface vehicle market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market, By Mode of Operation

• Autonomous
• Remotely Operated

Canada Unmanned Surface Vehicle Market, By Hull Type

• Kayak
• Catamaran
• Trimaran
• Rigid Inflatable Hull

FAQ

Q1: What is the projected growth rate of the Canadian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market?

The Canada USV market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 8.60% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035.

Q2: What factors are driving growth in the Canada USV market?

Key drivers include increased naval investments under Canada’s Strong, Secure, Engaged policy, Arctic sovereignty efforts, technological advancements in AI and autonomous navigation, growing commercial applications in fisheries and hydrographic surveys, and innovation in hybrid and solar propulsion systems.

Q3: Which segments dominate the market by mode of operation?

The remotely operated segment held a significant market share in 2024 and is expected to grow rapidly due to its balance between automation and human control, enhancing reliability and flexibility in complex conditions.

Q4: What are the main hull types used for USVs in Canada, and which is dominant?

The market segments hull types into kayak, catamaran, trimaran, and rigid inflatable hulls. The catamaran hull dominated the market in 2024 due to its superior balance, speed, stability, and capacity.

Q5: What applications do unmanned surface vehicles serve in Canada?

USVs are widely used in defence operations, ocean cleaning, fisheries, hydrographic and oceanographic research, disaster management, and search and rescue missions.

Q6: What are the main challenges facing the Canada USV market?

High acquisition costs, legal/regulatory barriers to autonomous operations, harsh Arctic conditions, a shortage of skilled personnel, and cybersecurity risks restrict broader adoption.

Q7: Who are the key companies operating in the Canadian unmanned surface vehicle market?

Notable companies include Cellula Robotics Ltd., Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems, UVAD, and other emerging technology firms.

Q8: Are there any recent innovations or developments in this market?

In July 2025, Sailbotix launched a solar-powered USV off British Columbia’s coast. UK-based Zero USV’s Oceanus12 autonomous vessel is also entering the Canadian market, rebranded as ASV Viper.

Q9: How does the Canada-USV market benefit naval defence?

USVs reduce risk to military personnel by acting as the first line of defence and provide cost-effective platforms for surveillance and hydrographic data collection.

Q10: What is the geographic focus within Canada for USV development?

The Ocean Supercluster in Nova Scotia is actively funding USV projects, with major activity also happening in coastal regions like British Columbia.