Marine Quantum Sensing Market Size, Share and Trends 2025 to 2034

What is Marine Quantum Sensing Market Size?

The global marine quantum sensing market drivers, regional trends, vendors, and 2025–2034 opportunities in navigation, mapping, and undersea detection. The market is currently experiencing significant growth due to the rising demand for high-precision navigation and underwater communication. This growth is further supported by advancements in quantum technologies that allow for the detection of magnetic fields, gravity variations, and positioning without GPS. Additionally, the increasing applications in defence submarine operations and marine exploration are expected to further accelerate market expansion.

Market Highlights

• Europe held the largest marine quantum sensing market share of 34% in 2024.
• Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period.
• By sensor type, the quantum gravimeters segment held the largest market share of 30% in 2024.
• By sensor type, the quantum magnetometers segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period.
• By deployment platform, the submarines (navigation, stealth detection) segment dominated with a market share 33% in 2024.
• By deployment platform, the autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR from 2025 to 2034.
• By application, the navigation & positioning (GPS-denied environments) segment led with a market share 28% in 2024.
• By application, the submarine & vessel detection (defense & security) segment is expanding at a significant CAGR from 2025 to 2034.
• By end user, the defense & naval forces segment held the major market share of 42% in 2024.
• By end user, the marine research institutes & universities segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2025 and 2034.
• By deployment model, the onboard segment held the largest share, at 36%, in 2024.
• By deployment model, the networked quantum sensing arrays segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period.
• By industry vertical, the defense & security segment dominated with a share 40% in 2024.
• By industry vertical, the energy & natural resources segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period.

How Can AI Impact the Marine Quantum Sensing Market?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also transforming the marine quantum sensing market by processing the complex, high-volume data generated by quantum sensors in real time. This significantly enhances measurement accuracy and improves signal-to-noise ratios. AI algorithms can refine quantum measurements by boosting the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in more accurate and reliable sensor data. Additionally, as quantum sensors produce vast amounts of data, AI is essential for interpreting this information quickly and effectively, which is vital for real-time operations in dynamic marine environments. AI also contributes to the automation of quantum sensor systems and enables adaptive calibration and predictive maintenance, maximizing sensor effectiveness and lifespan.

Market Overview

The marine quantum sensing market refers to technologies and systems that leverage quantum phenomena, such as quantum entanglement, superposition, and tunneling, to achieve highly precise measurement, navigation, and detection in marine environments. These sensors are designed for use in applications like navigation without GPS, underwater communication, submarine detection, seafloor mapping, mineral exploration, climate research, and defense surveillance. Unlike classical instruments, quantum sensors (e.g., gravimeters, magnetometers, gyroscopes, atomic clocks) can function with far greater accuracy in environments where signals are weak, unavailable, or distorted, such as deep oceans and contested naval zones.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Demand for High-Precision Environmental Monitoring and Navigation

The marine quantum sensing market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for high-precision environmental monitoring and navigation, stemming from the limitations of traditional sensors in underwater environments. There is a growing need for accurate tools to monitor marine ecosystems, detect pollution, and study underwater geological features, where conventional sensors often prove inadequate. Quantum sensors provide ultra-precise navigation and timing, which are essential for operations in GPS-denied underwater settings, as well as for subsea resource exploration and maritime security. This enables the development of sensors with unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy for various marine applications.

Restraint

High Cost and Complexity

A significant restraint in this market is the high cost and complexity associated with developing and implementing the technology. This complexity arises from the need for specialized components and intricate fabrication processes, combined with a lack of large-scale commercialization and standardized protocols. These factors lead to high initial costs in research, development, and deployment. Additionally, designing, operating, and maintaining quantum sensing systems demands highly specialized expertise, further increasing expenses and restricting widespread adoption. The quantum sensing field is still in its early stages of commercialization, lacking standardized protocols and widely demonstrated applications, which can hinder market growth.

Opportunity

GPS-Independent Navigation and Ultra-Precise Positioning

Looking ahead, a key opportunity in this market is GPS-independent navigation and ultra-precise positioning, particularly for military, commercial, and scientific applications in challenging maritime environments. Quantum sensors, such as those based on cold atom interferometry, provide extremely precise measurements of acceleration and rotation. This allows for accurate navigation and positioning even when GPS signals are jammed, unavailable, or degraded, which is crucial for military submarines, autonomous ships, and scientific research. Quantum magnetometers and gravimeters can detect subtle changes in magnetic and gravitational fields, facilitating more accurate mapping of underwater features, offshore oil and gas reserves, and subsurface geology.

Segment Insights

Sensor Type Insights

What Made the Quantum Gravimeters Segment Lead the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The quantum gravimeters segment dominated the market due to their unmatched precision in detecting subtle shifts in gravity. This capability enables crucial applications such as subsurface mapping, stealth detection, and enhanced navigation, particularly for submarines. Quantum gravimeters can accurately map subsurface mass shifts and identify otherwise undetectable threats, such as stealth submarines, by sensing disturbances in the gravitational field. Alongside quantum gravimeters, devices like atom interferometer-based accelerometers and gyroscopes offer drift-free, highly accurate inertial navigation for vessels, including submarines, without relying on external signals.

The quantum magnetometers segment is the fastest-growing segment in the market, particularly NV-diamonds as a subsegment. This is mainly stemming from their exceptional sensitivity, stability, and robustness, enabling high-resolution, non-invasive magnetic field measurements even in harsh marine environments. These NV-centers can operate at room temperature, eliminating the need for complex cooling systems. They offer potential solutions for marine navigation in GPS-denied environments and are used for geophysical surveys and underwater object detection. This allows for highly precise, non-invasive measurements of magnetic fields, enabling the detection of objects and geological features.

Deployment Platform Insights

How Did the Submarine Segment Dominate the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The submarine segment held the leading position in the market in 2024. This is mainly due to the unique operational needs of submarines, which require advanced, long-range, high-precision sensors for intelligence gathering and sea control during stealthy, extended underwater missions where traditional sensors fall short. Quantum-based accelerometers provide unmatched precision for underwater navigation, helping submarines maintain accurate positions without relying on external signals, a vital feature for extended, deep-sea operations. Quantum sensing technologies, such as quantum magnetometers, are adaptable to various underwater platforms, including submarines and their unmanned vehicles.

The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) segment is the fastest-growing part of the market. This growth is driven by the advantages of autonomous operation, long-range capabilities, and advanced sensor technology for a range of underwater applications like defense, research, and resource exploration. Integration of cutting-edge sensors, high-speed data links, and cloud computing allows AUVs to gather and transmit large amounts of complex data in real time from deep underwater environments, aiding better analysis and decision-making. AUVs are also a more cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional methods like research vessels, especially for routine monitoring, deep-sea surveys, and complex military operations.

Application Insights

How Did the Navigation & Positioning Segment Dominate the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The navigation & positioning segment led the market in 2024 because of the critical need for GPS-independent navigation, as current systems such as GPS are ineffective underwater. Quantum sensors provide unmatched accuracy and resilience in challenging marine environments, which is essential for tasks like submarine exploration, offshore operations, and precise autonomous vessel navigation. Unlike conventional systems, quantum navigation systems are more resistant to environmental factors and electronic jamming, offering a crucial advantage in diverse and unpredictable marine settings. This makes quantum technology ideal for future maritime operations.

The submarine & vessel detection segment is expected to see the fastest growth in the market. This is mainly due to rising geopolitical tensions, increased maritime security investments, and the need for advanced, highly sensitive detection capabilities to track stealthy submarines. The growing sophistication and stealth features of modern submarines make them difficult to detect with traditional sensors, increasing the demand for more sensitive technologies like quantum sensors that can detect their magnetic signatures. Quantum sensors can sense tiny environmental changes that traditional sensors miss, providing unmatched sensitivity for detecting submarines and other vessels via magnetic field disturbances.

End User Insights

How Did the Defense & Naval Forces Segment Dominate the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The defense & naval forces segment maintained its dominant position in the market in 2024. This is largely because quantum sensors offer unprecedented capabilities in GPS-denied environments, such as precise navigation, improved submarine detection, and enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Quantum sensors enable new ways to investigate and monitor the battlefield by detecting subtle electromagnetic emissions and other environmental signals, improving situational awareness, and locating concealed adversaries. They can also effectively detect submarines and other underwater assets that are difficult to find with traditional methods.

The marine research institutes segment is a rapidly growing area within the market, driven by the increasing global need for in-depth ocean monitoring, environmental protection, and resource discovery. These institutes rely on highly sensitive and precise quantum sensors to gather accurate data. Leading marine research institutions are spearheading efforts to address these challenges, creating demand for quantum technologies that can detect subtle changes and yield high-quality data for scientific research and regulatory compliance. A growing focus from international organizations and governments on enhancing maritime safety and oceanographic research is supporting this expansion.

Deployment Model Insights

What Made the Onboard Segment Lead the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The onboard segment led the market in 2024 primarily because of its capacity for immediate data processing and decision-making. This is essential for autonomous navigation, undersea warfare, and real-time environmental monitoring, especially where remote data transmission can be a bottleneck. Onboard processing, supported by edge computing, is crucial for the rising trend of autonomous vessels and robotic systems in the marine industry. It reduces reliance on continuous external communication and allows local data analysis, which enhances situational awareness and enables faster, more informed decisions for safety and operational efficiency.

The networked quantum sensing arrays segment is expected to grow the fastest in the market. This growth mainly results from its ability to provide improved, distributed measurement of complex underwater fields by using entangled sensors, overcoming the limitations of single, noise-sensitive sensors. This interconnected approach offers superior precision and spatial resolution for applications such as submarine detection, underwater communication, and environmental monitoring, increasing demand for integrated systems. These arrays support more accurate, large-scale monitoring of oceanic environmental factors, aiding climate science and early warning systems for phenomena like sea-level rise.

Industry Vertical Insights

How Did the Defense & Security Segment Dominate the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

The defense & security segment led the market in 2024 due to quantum technologies offering vital advantages, including underwater navigation, submarine detection through magnetic anomaly detection, and secure communication, even without satellite support. This segment is driving market growth because of the high demand for cutting-edge, high-precision sensing in national security and military operations. The ability to detect stealth submarines through magnetic field disturbances provides a strategic advantage. Marine environments often lack reliable GPS signals, making quantum sensing solutions for navigation and positioning invaluable. Many quantum technologies designed for military and intelligence purposes also have potential for commercial applications.

The energy & natural resources segment is projected to be the fastest-growing part of the market. This growth is mainly fueled by the industry's need for advanced sensing capabilities to improve the safety and efficiency of resource extraction, monitor complex marine environments, and support climate change mitigation efforts through ultra-sensitive environmental data collection. Ongoing investments, development of specialized quantum sensing applications, and collaborations aim to deploy these technologies in challenging marine conditions for better monitoring and resource identification, spurring market expansion.

Regional Insights

How Will Europe Lead the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

Europe led the marine quantum sensing market in 2024. This is mainly due to the region's strategic commitment to a sovereign, resilient quantum ecosystem, strong scientific leadership, and significant investment in pan-European infrastructures like quantum gravimeter networks for underwater resource monitoring and Earth observation. The EU is investing in pan-European quantum sensing infrastructures, including networks of quantum gravimeters. These sensors, mounted on drones or ships, can monitor underwater resources, volcanic activity, and perform Earth observation tasks, creating critical infrastructure for marine applications. Europe has a strong scientific foundation in quantum technology, which it aims to maintain while converting breakthrough scientific research into marketable products.

Germany Marine Quantum Sensing Market Trends

Germany is playing a dynamic role in the market, driven by its deep expertise in quantum mechanics, substantial government investment, and strong collaboration between research institutions and industry. Through national initiatives like the Action Plan for Quantum Technologies, the government allocates billions in funding to advance quantum sensors for practical applications such as maritime navigation, resource exploration, and security. Leading research centers, including the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, are developing precision instruments. Meanwhile, companies like Bosch and Q.ANT are focused on commercializing robust, miniaturized sensor systems designed to withstand harsh marine environments.

How Did Asia Pacific Consider the Growing Region in the Marine Quantum Sensing Market in 2024?

Asia Pacific is expected fastest growth in the marine quantum sensing market. This is primarily driven by industrialization, increasing maritime security investments, and a focus on sustainable ocean management. Rapid industrial growth and significant investments in manufacturing and infrastructure are creating a demand for advanced sensing technologies in the region. Governments are increasing funding for maritime security and subsea resource exploration, which necessitates the adoption of sophisticated sensing solutions. A strong emphasis on sustainable ocean management and reducing environmental impact is accelerating the adoption of advanced underwater monitoring capabilities. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are major contributors to the region's momentum, actively developing and investing in quantum technology.

Value Chain Analysis

• Raw Material Sourcing (Metals, Electronics)

Raw material sourcing for marine quantum sensing involves highly specialized, high-purity metals like alkali and rare earth elements for sensors and clocks. Advanced electronics utilize engineered materials, including diamond with NV centers and 2D materials, for precise sensing in harsh underwater environments.
Key Players: Element Six, Muquans SAS, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd., RTX Corporation, AOSense Inc.

• Component Fabrication and Machining

The component fabrication and machining of the marine quantum sensing market produce the specialized, high-precision parts for advanced quantum sensors used underwater. This includes sensitive sensor elements, robust pressure housings, and compact electronics designed to withstand the harsh marine environment.
Key Players: SBQuantum, AOSense Inc., Nomad Atomics, QinetiQ Group, Analog Devices Inc.

• Testing and Certification

This involves verifying the reliability and performance of highly sensitive quantum sensors used in harsh underwater environments. This critical market segment ensures these advanced sensors meet stringent maritime regulations and operational demands for applications like defense, exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Key Players: SBQuantum, Infleqtion, Muquans, Bureau Veritas

• Installation and Commissioning

This involves verifying the reliability and performance of highly sensitive quantum sensors used in harsh underwater environments. This critical market segment ensures these advanced sensors meet stringent maritime regulations and operational demands for applications like defense, exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Key Players: Honeywell International Inc., SBQuantum, Infleqtion, DNV, Bureau Veritas

• Distribution and Sales

It involves manufacturers selling and distributing cutting-edge quantum sensors, which measure changes in gravity, magnetism, and light with extreme precision, to various end-users, including military agencies for navigation and submarine detection, and research institutions for environmental monitoring.

Key Players: BAE Systems, QinetiQ, AOSense, Inc., Q-CTRL, Marine Magnetics

• Maintenance and After-Sales Service

This involves the support, upkeep, and repair of highly sensitive quantum sensors used underwater. These specialized services are critical for maximizing the operational lifespan and performance of complex equipment deployed in harsh marine environments. This market helps ensure the reliability and precision of sensors for defense, environmental monitoring, and other marine applications.

Key Players: Muquans SAS, AOSense Inc., Aquark Technologies, Kongsberg Maritime, SBQuantum

• Product Lifecycle Management

This describes the integrated business strategy of overseeing the entire life of marine quantum sensors from conception and design to manufacturing, deployment, service, and end-of-life within the market for these specialized devices. PLM within this sector leverages technologies like digital twins and AI to streamline complex R&D involving quantum mechanics.

Key Players: Siemens Digital Industries Software, PTC, Dassault Systèmes, BAE Systems, Infleqtion

Marine Quantum Sensing Market Companies

• QinetiQ
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Thales Group
• Lockheed Martin
• Northrop Grumman
• Honeywell Quantum Solutions
• ColdQuanta (Infleqtion)
• M Squared Lasers
• Muquans (iXblue Group)
• AOSense
• MagiQ Technologies
• ID Quantique
• Universal Quantum
• Rigetti Government Systems
• BAE Systems
• SandboxAQ
• Atomionics
• Supracon AG
• Robert Bosch GmbH (Quantum sensing R&D)
• Toshiba Quantum Technology Division

Leaders’ Announcements

• In August 2025, Q-CTRL announced its selection for two DARPA contracts to enhance quantum sensing technologies for military applications. Quantum sensors can provide resilient navigation solutions resistant to jamming and other interferences, crucial for modern defense operations. Q-CTRL will collaborate with Lockheed Martin on this project. (Source: https://q-ctrl.com)
• In January 2024, Infleqtion acquired SiNoptiq Inc. and Morton Photonics Inc. to advance chip-scale integration of quantum technologies. CEO Scott Faris highlighted that these acquisitions would bolster the quantum supply chain and enable commercial manufacturing of sensors and quantum products at scale. (Source: https://www.prnewswire.com)

Segments Covered in the Report

By Sensor Type

• Quantum Gravimeters
  
  • Cold atom interferometer gravimeters
  • Portable gravimeters
  • Gravity gradiometers
• Quantum Magnetometers
  
  • Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPM)
  • NV-diamond magnetometers
  • Spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) magnetometers
• Quantum Gyroscopes
  
  • Atom interferometer gyroscopes
  • Ring-laser quantum gyroscopes
  • Fibre-optic quantum gyroscopes
• Quantum Atomic Clocks
  
  • Optical lattice clocks
  • Ion-trap clocks
  • Rubidium/Cesium miniaturized clocks
• Quantum LiDAR & Imaging Systems
  
  • Single-photon LiDAR
  • Quantum-enhanced imaging (low-light / underwater imaging)
  • Others

By Deployment Platform

• Submarines (navigation, stealth detection)
• Surface Ships (naval vessels, cargo, survey ships)
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
• Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
• Buoys & Floating Platforms
• Offshore Energy Rigs (oil, gas, wind)
• Port & Harbor Installations
• Others

By Application

• Navigation & Positioning (GPS-denied environments)
• Submarine & Vessel Detection (defense & security)
• Seafloor Mapping & Geophysical Survey
• Mineral & Resource Exploration (oil, gas, rare earths)
• Environmental & Climate Monitoring (currents, tides, CO? absorption)
• Communication & Signal Processing (quantum-secure comms)
• Defense & Intelligence (stealth tracking, anti-submarine warfare)
• Others

By End User

• Defense & Naval Forces
• Commercial Shipping & Logistics
• Oil, Gas & Offshore Energy Companies
• Marine Research Institutes & Universities
• Climate & Environmental Monitoring Agencies
• Port Authorities & Coast Guard
• Subsea Mining Operators
• Others

By Deployment Model

• Onboard (ship/submarine installed)
• Portable (field-deployable units)
• Remote / Buoy-based monitoring systems
• Networked quantum sensing arrays
• Cloud-integrated sensing platforms
• Others

By Industry Vertical

• Defense & Security
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Marine Research & Academia
• Commercial Shipping & Logistics
• Environmental Monitoring
• Telecommunications (undersea quantum comms support)
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa