Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: July 2023
ANZSIC I5219Revenue
$3.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
8,044
Businesses
876
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia industry analysis
The Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry is an integral part of the water transport sector. The industry provides various support services, including shipping agency services, towage, navigation, pilotage and lighterage. Industry revenue has grown in recent years, supported by rising trade volumes and a jump in service prices amid port congestions and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, industrywide revenue has been growing at an annualised 1.6% over the past five years and is expected to total $3.8 billion in 2023-24, when revenue falls by an estimated 5.5%.Shipping support service providers' performance depends on demand from water transport industries and the volume of Australia's waterborne trade. Variations in shipping volumes and trends in the Water Passenger Transport industry, like demand for cruise ships, can significantly influence the industry's performance. Major disruptions to international trade patterns, and the decline in demand for cruise ships, over the two years through 2020-21, dampened industry revenue growth. However, an overall rise in total trade volumes over the past few years has supported demand for shipping support services, bolstering industry revenue. In recent years, rising competition has restricted the growth in service prices, reducing industry profitability.The Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry is set to continue growing steadily over the coming years, driven by growth in international trade volumes. Additionally, demand from water passenger transport is set to continue rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualised 0.8% over the five years through 2028-29 to total $4.0 billion. However, the increasing size of cargo ships and the introduction of more sophisticated navigation technology will challenge some shipping support service providers, as their business models may become outdated. Ports are poised to expand to accommodate larger vessels over the coming years, encouraging industry operators to invest in new ships and capital assets. Greater capital investment is set to reduce employment growth, pushing down wage costs and supporting profitability expansion.
Trends and Insights
- Rising competition has restricted service prices, contributing to falling profit margins in recent years. Nonetheless, services prices jumped amid supply chain disruptions affecting the broader water transport sector, supporting revenue growth.
- The industry provides services to the water transport sector. Industry operators provide navigation, towage and other related services to passenger and freight water transport.
- Industry establishments are concentrated in coastal areas near high economic and water transport activity locations. Many establishments are located at or near Australia's major ports.
- The industry's competitive landscape varies between the various product segments. Competition in the towage services segment is particularly low, with various cooperative arrangements between the major towage operators.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.8bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions have affected the industry
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to port congestions, disrupting international trade patterns. Sea import volumes were restricted over the two years through 2020-21, negatively affecting demand for shipping support services.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Rising port traffic and trade volumes will underpin the industry's growth
- Port traffic and trade volumes are set to climb over the coming years.
Biggest companies in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Svitzer | 312.7 | |
MMA Offshore | 190.1 | |
Bhagwan Marine | 152.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Towage services, Navigation and pilotage services and Ship agency, regulated services, lighterage and other services. Towage services is the largest segment of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Rising commodities exports have propelled demand for towage services at bulk ports
- Towage services involve using tugboats to assist vessels to manoeuvre and negotiate restricted clearances in channels and berth areas.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Stevedoring Services in Australia
- Integrated Logistics in Australia
- Port and Water Transport Terminal Operations in Australia
International industries
- Tugboat & Shipping Navigational Services in the US
- Stevedoring and Water Transport Support Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms primarily provide navigation, towage and other services to the water transport sector.
What's included in this industry?
Towage servicesNavigation and pilotage servicesShip agencyRegulated servicesLighterage servicesHarbour servicesShip registrationsShip salvage servicesCompanies
SvitzerMMA OffshoreBhagwan MarinePurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TUGBOATELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGEMARINE SALVAGEIndustry Code
ANZSIC 5219 - Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Rising competition has restricted service prices, contributing to falling profit margins in recent years. Nonetheless, services prices jumped amid supply chain disruptions af...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The industry provides services to the water transport sector. Industry operators provide navigation, towage and other related services to passenger and freight water transpor...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Industry establishments are concentrated in coastal areas near high economic and water transport activity locations. Many establishments are located at or near Australia's ma...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry's competitive landscape varies between the various product segments. Competition in the towage services segment is particularly low, with various cooperative arr...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Svitzer and Serco Group account for the biggest shares of industry revenue. These companies benefit from long-term partnerships with large downstream clients and significant ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Svitzer's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of MMA Offshore's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Bhagwan Marine's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Svitzer, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for MMA Offshore, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Bhagwan Marine, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry is moderately regulated. Various legislation and regulatory bodies aim to minimise accidents and help preserve...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wage costs and purchases are the industry's largest expenses. The industry's average wage is high, due to the skills and specialised knowledge that industry employees require...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia is $3.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 876 businesses in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport market in Australia are Svitzer, MMA Offshore and Bhagwan Marine
What does the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia include?
Towage services and Navigation and pilotage services are part of the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Svitzer.
How competitive is the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Navigation, Towage and Services to Water Transport industry in Australia.
