14 - 08 - 2026

Maritime Satellite Revenues Set to Reach $3.79 Billion by 2035 as NGSO Networks Transform Connectivity at Sea

The maritime satellite communications industry is entering a new phase of expansion as non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) networks reshape how vessels connect to digital services at sea.

Global maritime satellite service revenues are projected to increase from $2.28 billion in 2025 to $3.79 billion by 2035, according to Novaspace’s Maritime Satellite Communications, 14th Edition. The market transformation is being driven by growing demand for always-on connectivity across commercial and recreational fleets, with satellite broadband increasingly becoming an essential component of maritime operations rather than a standalone communications service.

Novaspace forecasts that the number of VSAT-equipped vessels will exceed 600,000 by 2035, with smaller vessels expected to account for a growing share of adoption. Beyond traditional communications, operators are increasingly using connectivity to support digital operations, regulatory compliance, safety, crew welfare and overall operational efficiency.

The growing dependence on bandwidth-intensive applications is also expected to drive a substantial increase in satellite capacity demand. Novaspace estimates that maritime satellite capacity requirements will rise nearly fivefold, from approximately 500 Gbps currently to 2.5 Tbps by 2035.

“NGSO networks have fundamentally changed the economics and performance of maritime connectivity,” said Vishal Patil, Senior Consultant at Novaspace. “Over the next decade, they will become the backbone of maritime communications, delivering higher capacity, lower latency, more flexible services, and a significantly improved user experience for vessel operators worldwide.”

NGSO takes centre stage

NGSO services are emerging as the primary force behind the industry’s transformation. Although delays to Amazon’s LEO constellation have moderately affected deployment timelines, Novaspace expects NGSO service revenues to reach $3.25 billion by 2035.

Lower-cost terminals, easier installation, improved network performance and increasingly competitive service offerings are helping expand NGSO adoption across multiple vessel categories. The shift is already visible in the market.

NGSO services accounted for 48% of maritime satellite service revenues in 2025, a share Novaspace expects to rise sharply to 86% by 2035.

The technology’s dominance is expected to be even more pronounced in terms of capacity. NGSO systems are projected to support approximately 98% of total maritime satellite capacity demand by 2035, fundamentally changing the economics and architecture of connectivity at sea.

However, the growth of NGSO does not mean the end of geostationary satellite networks. Instead, maritime operators are increasingly adopting multi-orbit connectivity strategies, combining GEO and NGSO networks to improve resilience, coverage and service continuity.

This hybrid approach allows operators to use the respective strengths of different orbital architectures while reducing dependence on any single network.

Connectivity is core maritime infrastructure

The evolution of maritime connectivity reflects a broader digital transformation taking place across the shipping and offshore industries. Reliable broadband is increasingly required not only for crew communications and entertainment but also for connected operations, safety systems, compliance requirements and data-intensive applications.

As smaller vessels gain access to affordable broadband connectivity, the addressable market is expected to expand substantially beyond traditional large commercial ships. Novaspace’s latest study analyses five major maritime segments—merchant shipping, passenger ships, leisure vessels, fishing vessels and offshore oil and gas—and examines developments across satellite operators, maritime service providers and equipment manufacturers.

The report also assesses regulatory developments, pricing, capacity requirements, bandwidth demand, service revenues and value-added services, combining historical market data with a 10-year forecast.

The projected rise from $2.28 billion to $3.79 billion in maritime satellite service revenues over the next decade points to a fundamental shift in the role of satellite communications at sea. As ships become increasingly connected and dependent on digital systems, satellite networks—particularly NGSO constellations—are moving from being a communications option to becoming a critical part of the maritime industry’s digital infrastructure.