Commercial Diving Market size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Saturation Diving, Air Diving, Commercial Diving Equipment, Diving Support Services) By Application (Oil and Gas Industry, Underwater Construction, Salvage Operations, Marine Research) and Regional Forecast to 2034

COMMERCIAL DIVING MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Commercial Diving Market size was USD 580.05 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.10 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.39% during the forecast period.

The commercial diving industry is fundamental to critical underwater jobs in oil and gas, marine construction, salvage, and research. The market delineates saturation diving, air diving, diving systems, and support services, with these segments, driving the market through demand. In addition to the application of diving in offshore energy work (energy hydrocarbon energies, renewables), conclusions can be drawn to also have applied innovative diving in changing port infrastructures and evaluating underwater impacts of environmental studies. Companies are pushing ahead with safety programs, advanced technologies and divers that have trained training/workforce, given industry standards for activities, it is a major trend as many companies deliver a range of services. North America is the leading market due to many industrial and defense-related marine activities, as well as many countries pursuing modernization of port infrastructure. At a global level, an opportunity has been realized with companies such as [UCC Dive], and [Oceaneering International] focused on new technologies, and integrated service or customized high-intensity diving to gain push in this competitive technical market.

GLOBAL CRISES IMPACTING COMMERCIAL DIVING MARKET- COVID-19 IMPACT

Commercial Diving Market Had a Negative Effect Due to Increase in Shut Down Underwater Operation During COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the commercial diving industry darn near shut down underwater operations around the world. Government mandated lockdowns, imposed travel restrictions, and supply chain breakdowns delayed offshore maintenance jobs or limited access entirely to diving sites while workforce shortages due to quarantine rules related to COVID-19 impacted scheduled maintenance, and emergency interventions to repair or maintain critical infrastructure offshore. Equipment and services had cycles disrupted and delayed which resulted in even slower work. Training and certification programs shut down or switched to online programs qualified through virtual learning to develop skills and limited certification programs. Demand for underwater inspection and repair for the offshore industry was still present, but project approval was put on hold due to uncertainty in markets and regulatory compliance, and budget constraints. Recovery has started and progressed at a slower pace. Safety polices have been developed and implemented, and offshore activity resumed.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Adoption of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in Commercial Diving to Drive Market Growth

The commercial diving industry has continually been seeing the adoption of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to back up dive teams. These unmanned vehicles have found their way into many divers' operations for deep-water inspections, data collection and testing, and even demolition in a variety of shallow and deep-water contaminated environments. ROVs allow for greater safety and reduce human exposure challenges, while also providing efficiencies when deployed in conjunction with divers. As this trend continues with ROVs becoming more available, the industry has started to see investment in remote-operated, hybrid dive solutions that combine manned capabilities with a more automated approach to mission-tasking on the water. This behavioral trend has been emerging as experience, technology, and cost savings meet with commercial diving industry safety standards, and it appears that all pieces are falling for ROVs to become a mainstay in diving.

COMMERCIAL DIVING MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Saturation Diving, Air Diving, Commercial Diving Equipment, Diving Support Services:

• Saturation Diving: Saturation diving is a crucial form of diving that is required for women's long-duration underwater commercial projects. Saturation diving requires divers to live in pressurized environments and be transported to or from their work site by means of diving bells. Saturation diving is most used for installation, repairs and inspection of pipelines in oil and gas operations. It is a very complicated form of diving that also contains a relatively high level of risk which requires life-support equipment and specially trained and skilled personnel. Saturation diving is primarily used in deepwater where air diving is not a feasible option. Saturation diving is increasingly becoming a necessity because of the growing need of deep-sea infrastructure including offshore oil exploration, which is experiencing an accelerated increase in demand despite the high costs associated with saturation diving operations, and increasing regulations put in place to keep divers safe.
• Air Diving: Air diving is the most popular approach to carrying out underwater work at shallow depths, generally less than 50 meters. In air diving, divers receive surface-supplied air via hoses. Most of the underwater air diving is performed for port maintenance, boat inspections, and minor underwater construction. The equipment and setup of air diving is not complicated, in comparison to saturation diving, making it less expensive and deployable in a shorter time frame. Air diving remains the industry standard for tasks deemed routine and requiring fewer complex arrangements. However, safety concerns around depth and decompression limits restrict it to specific types of operation. The low level of operational flexibility and set up requirements have ensured that the air diving is frequently utilized.
• Commercial Diving Equipment: This section details the products and equipment necessary for diving operations, such as suits, helmets, compressors, communication devices, life support etc. The efficiency of the diving equipment can affect diver safety, as well as the success of the mission. As diving projects become more complex and reach greater depths, the need for complicated, durable, and smart-enabled equipment continues to grow. Smart technologies - equipment with built-in sensors, real time data feed, and ergonomic configurations are transforming the way underwater operations are conducted. Maintenance and adherence to international equipment and safety standards also contributes to re-investing in upgrade equipment. Vendors are focusing on making user-oriented equipment designs and modules to drive efficiency and reduce the occurrence of downtime equipment. Seasonal operations, and operational sets of equipment drive commercial diving operations, as equipment is the basis of any commercial diving operation.
• Diving Support Services: Diving support services provide the logistical and technical support for underwater work. This includes vessel support, dive planning, equipment maintenance, medical readiness, etc. All of which are vital to performing the underwater task safely, smoothly and efficiently. Increased regulatory scrutiny and technical complexity surrounding offshore projects mean professional support teams are as essential as ever. Diving support service firms are teaming up with contractors to provide bundled solutions. A full-service diving package is becoming increasingly popular, especially in areas where local knowledge and rapid deployment are essential. This support service segment is vital for the continued safe practice of diving.

BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Oil and Gas Industry, Underwater Construction, Salvage Operations, Marine Research:

• Oil and Gas Industry: The oil and gas industry contain the most common and immediate area considered for commercial diving and diver services. The subsea pipeline installation, inspection, and maintenance and decommissioning of subsea pipeline operations involve commercial divers. Offshore drilling rigs require commercial divers to ensure operational capability and emergency assistance. High- risk workplaces need assurance that compliance of the intervening international regulations is followed to ensure that workers and the worksite are safe. As this continued complexity for exploring and exploiting subsea resources increases, the demand for diver expertise and innovative diving solutions will also grow. The emerging use of digital mediums (e.g. Underwater drones, and remote systems, and their future uses) will present a unique future for diving from operational and safety perspectives, while increasing the efficiency of the industry.

• Underwater Construction: Underwater construction is typically referred to as underwater construction at a commercial dive level for marine infrastructure, such as installation of foundations for bridges, ports, tunnels or windfarms offshore. Diving is generally performed by either of two types of divers working in an underwater environment: a survey or construction worker. Both operations will be conducted in difficult conditions such as poor visibility or current. Most of the time the diver will be conducting highly advanced underwater construction tasks, usually with significant accuracy and precision. The underwater construction sector has difficulty with time deficiencies which affects dive operations and increases pressure on dive operations; underwater construction requires advance planning and controls round dive support and co-ordination of dive operations using marine technology and dive safety considerations particularly when multiple commercial divers are undertaking concurrent marine events. There is a great increase in demand for underwater construction due to urgency and the inadequacy of marine infrastructure-related projects, and coastal development initiatives across the world. There have been significant leaps in equipment technology and capabilities such as laser cutters and high definition video feeds, etc. has facilitated an increase in underwater construction and marine infrastructure development by enhancing the speed and capabilities of underwater construction commercial tasks and services, as well as reducing the inherent risks of undertaking some tasks underwater - no more just swimming on the bottom (or worse, above it) for underwater construction tasks as long as they think they look close enough.
• Salvage Operations: Salvage operations include the recovery of lost vessels, cargo, and materials from the bottom of the ocean. These operations can be initiated due to an accident recovery, insurance claim, or historical exploration. Commercial divers will typically help survey the damage, secure the wreckage temporarily, and perform difficult recovery operations. The salvage portion of commercial diving is unpredictable and can be both technically complex and requires cooperation with naval architects and engineers. An increase in commercial maritime traffic and accidents at sea is increasing the demand for professional salvage operations. Environmental legislation is also affecting salvage practices by increasing the demand for precision and accountability.
• Marine Research: Marine research diving supports scientific study actions toward marine ecosystems, climate change impacts, biodiversity of marine life, and the mapping of ecosystems. Marine research divers assist researchers with gathering oceanographic samples, deploying sensors, mapping areas, or simply observing various underwater environments. This segment is growing due to increased global focus on marine conservation, climate resilience, and investments in the area. Universities, NGOs, and Government Agencies et cetera are using commercial divers for their technical expertise on field research. The growing interest in marine protected areas and international interest and collaboration on marine activity is further growing this area. One of the main points of difference in this segment is its intention of purpose and usually involves more exacting training to implement protocols to ensure data accuracy and diver safety within sensitive underwater ecological conditions.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Offshore Energy Projects to Boost the Market

The recent market attention on Commercial Diving Market growth is attributed, in no small part, to the global increase in offshore energy projects like oil rigs, gas fields, and the cross over to renewable assets through offshore wind development. The stabilization of land-based energy sources and the desire to diversify energy economic obstructions are keeping offshore assets of increasing importance. New developments in offshore energy will mean reliance on underwater operations for a multitude of aspects: structural inspection, equipment installation, as well as maintenance and emergency repairs, and this will always rely on commercial diving. Both public and private organizations are now hoping to research and establish deeper water projects where traditional inspection methods no longer provide viable returns, and we are increasingly seeing reliance on saturation and robot assisted diving approaches.

Rising Demand for Marine Infrastructure to Expand the Market

The increase in demand for marine infrastructure, is another strong market driver. Cities worldwide are building new ports, creating underwater tunnels, and reinforcing bridge foundations, and all these projects call for professional diving services. Countries are also increasing their spending for harbor maintenance and dredging, because trade volumes and shipping are increasing, thus increasing the number of commercial diving services needed.  Resilience projects related to climate change, including seawalls and submerged barriers, call for underwater expertise. Funding mechanisms for international infrastructure are increasing globally, which bodes well for the commercial diving marketplace as it provides much needed support for projects that are long-term and high leverage.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

High Operational Risks and Safety Concerns to Potentially Impede Market Growth

Inevitably commercial diving is a hazardous venture, thus limits growth in the industry. Divers engaged in an unpredictable underwater environment with safety implications such as depth visibility, current, entanglement, and the risk of decompression disease requiring controlled training, monitoring and safety integrity. Diving is an innate risky occupation subject to human error that surges rapidly, one moment your diver could be enjoying the dive of a lifetime and the next minute they could be in a life-threatening situation. All of this adds to the regulation of diving operations and the resource of standard guideline and requirements of the dives. All this factors into the number of unions that feel comfortable even attempting the diving operations once you factor in insurance and liability concerns, and the fact that there is absolutely no infrastructure for safety plans and very limited commercial diving experience.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into Renewable Energy Sector to Create Opportunity for The Product in The Market

The increasing priority on renewable energy can be a defining opportunity for the commercial diving industry. Offshore wind developments, wave energy projects, tidal energy projects and sea cable networks are becoming established, particularly in Europe, North America and locations in Asia. Each of these activities will require commercial diving for installation, inspection or maintenance work. Alongside this activity we have seen many countries financially commit to sustainability goals and this will continue to take place and, based on the level of investment in ocean energy and speed of development, we expect many commercial diving operators that flourish in this sector due to their ability to adapt their capabilities through training, enhanced equipment needs, joining partnerships and/or finding other ways of providing commercial diving services will become part of an enhancing industry. The earn a point in tapping good market growth whilst advocating for sustainability and our industry's collective future.

CHALLENGE

Shortage of Skilled Divers Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

One of the immediate challenges faced by the commercial diving industry is a shortage of qualified and skilled divers. Commercial diving is physical work that involves not only physical stamina and skill, but also regulatory, safety and quality requirements. The entry level requires even a physically skilled worker to go through regulatory and training processes that requires significant investment, often in uncomfortable conditions, and this has led to a limited talent pool. Furthermore, the skills gap in the experienced resources is getting wider with experience commercial divers near retirement and younger divers taking their time to grow their skills. This is impacting project timelines, increasing operational risk and limiting company ability to ramp their operations.

COMMERCIAL DIVING MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• NORTH AMERICA

North America holds a major Commercial Diving Market Share, especially the United States Commercial Diving Market, as it has a vast offshore oil and gas sector, a well-connected maritime infrastructure, and military diving activities. The Gulf of Mexico is an important regional saturation diving area, as there are several oil rigs and underwater pipelines. The proximity of coastal construction projects and defense-related underwater tasks only serves to bolster demand in an already lucrative sector. The region also has established diving schools, equipment manufacturers, and safety policies to match, as many companies in the region are early adopters of remote-operated technologies, enabling them to extract more efficiency from the diving workforce. Government investments in infrastructure and energy policy also acts as a positive driver of growth and sustains the region's position in this sector.

• EUROPE

The commercial diving market in Europe is mature but changing due to the emergence of offshore wind energy and huge maritime infrastructure. There are countries like, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands, who are at the forefront of utilizing commercial divers for inspection and maintenance as well as underwater construction. The North Sea is still a significant area of operations because of the active energy installations and extreme diving conditions that demand professionalism and advanced equipment. Environmental regulations in Europe are also encouraging increased underwater inspections and monitoring. The strong emphasis on clean energy and government support for green infrastructure and construction support stable demand for diving services in Europe.

• ASIA

The commercial diving markets in Asia are developing rapidly, driven by a continually enlarged marine infrastructure, growth in offshore exploration and regional defense initiatives. Countries such as China, India, South Korea and Singapore all have large ongoing investments in port construction, underwater tunnels, and oil exploration. In Southeast Asia, the region's complex coastal geography and busy shipping lanes, will require regular diving services for maintenance and safety inspections. The region is also looking to implement diver training programs to develop a local workforce and create a level of sustainability. With the ongoing growth of industrial and naval activities in the region, it is easy to see that Asia will be an emerging market where demand is high and capabilities are catching up to Western standards.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

Top players in the commercial diving market are defining the market with innovations in technology, service offerings, and geographical location. Companies like UCC Dive, Oceaneering International, and Triton Offshore have all invested research and funds developing hybrid diving systems that incorporate both human and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) diving in underwater operations. The partial human element dramatically reduces the safety hazards that standard manned diving would introduce into these operations. Innovation included improving safety features, improved communication tools that improve real time communication, and maintaining environmentally compliant practices. Some players also engage in collaborative partnerships to maximize service quality to customers because of the industry's complexity. Therefore, consider packaging all activities, including diving services to keep the customer in check from planning to post-dive analysis. Collectively, diversifying product/service offerings has been legally necessary, ensuring companies remain competitive due to the complexities of underwater infrastructure and energy development work around the globe.

LIST OF TOP COMMERCIAL DIVING COMPANIES

• UCC Dive (U.S.)
• Oceaneering International (U.S.)
• Triton Offshore (U.S.)
• Seaward Marine Services (U.S.)
• BISSO MARINE (U.S.)
• C-Dive (U.S.)
• Aqueos Corporation (U.S.)
• CSU Diving (U.S.)
• Veolia Environmental Services North America (U.S.)
• Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

May 2025: The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) announced an in increase in demand for Diving Equipment. In its most recent industry update it found that manufacturers of core industry segments, safety gear, suits, regulators, and accessories all indicated increased overall order quantities and that customers are quicker to replace lost gear because of increased activities this year. Certainly this level of increased focus shows more readiness for the commercial and recreational diving activity, and certainly pipeline orders and commercial work have increased, but also diving gear demand has increased because end-users ordered diving equipment pre-season and experienced a return to business across industries in underwater work. All of this is a good sign for the commercial diving marketplace - more confidence, more project activity, and more importantly more investment in underwater equipment and infrastructure.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis considers both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth. The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated timeframe. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.