Drillships Global Market Report 2026

Drillships are advanced vessels equipped with a central drilling platform and integrated systems for offshore deepwater drilling. They operate as mobile drilling units to explore and extract hydrocarbons from beneath the ocean floor in challenging marine environments. Their primary purpose is to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe drilling at great depths by using advanced mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems that manage dynamic positioning, well control, fluid circulation, and load handling during operations.

The key types of drillships are ultra-deepwater drillships, deepwater drillships, mid-water drillships, and shallow-water drillships. Ultra-deepwater drillships are advanced offshore drilling vessels designed to operate in water depths exceeding 7,500 feet, equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure high precision, stability, and safety in extreme conditions. These vessels use various propulsion systems, including conventional propulsion, dynamic positioning (DP) systems, hybrid propulsion systems, and alternative fuel systems, with ownership models such as owned fleet, chartered fleet, joint ventures, and independent operators. Key applications include shallow water, deep water, and ultra-deepwater exploration activities, serving end users such as oil and gas companies, offshore drilling contractors, research institutes, and other organizations.

Tariffs have affected the drillships market by increasing costs for imported steel, propulsion systems, and advanced drilling equipment. These impacts are most significant in deepwater and ultra deepwater drillship construction, particularly in asia pacific and europe. Capital expenditure requirements for newbuild drillships have increased. Delivery schedules have also faced delays due to component sourcing challenges. However, tariffs are encouraging regional shipbuilding and local supply chain development.

The drillships market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides drillships market statistics, including drillships industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a drillships market share, detailed drillships market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the drillships industry. This drillships market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The drillships market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.57 billion in 2025 to $6.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of offshore oil exploration, discovery of deepwater reserves, technological advancements in marine drilling, rise in offshore investments, demand for mobile drilling units.

The drillships market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.08 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increased deepwater exploration spending, development of ultra deepwater fields, replacement of aging offshore fleets, demand for advanced drilling capabilities, offshore energy security initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for ultra deepwater drillships, growth in dynamic positioning systems, increasing adoption of dual activity drillships, expansion of harsh environment offshore drilling, focus on operational safety and efficiency.

The rising offshore exploration is expected to drive the growth of the drillship market in the coming period. Offshore exploration refers to operator activities to identify, bid for, and acquire offshore acreage and subsurface resources for potential oil and gas discovery and development. Its growth is supported by expanding government lease offerings and renewed investment in deepwater energy resources. Drillships facilitate offshore exploration by providing high-mobility, deepwater drilling capabilities that enable energy companies to access and evaluate offshore reserves efficiently. For example, in March 2023, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, a US-based federal agency, thirty-two companies participated in the sale, with a total of $263.8 million in high bids offered on 313 tracts. Therefore, the rising offshore exploration is fueling the growth of the drillship market.

Key companies in the drillship market are focusing on developing technologically advanced products, such as dynamic positioning systems, to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Dynamic positioning systems (DPS) are computer-controlled systems that automatically maintain a vessel's position and heading using its own propellers and thrusters. For example, in April 2025, Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd., a South Korean shipbuilder, launched the Tidal Action drillship, designed on its proprietary platform. This ultra-deepwater vessel can drill at depths up to 12,000 meters in waters as deep as 3,600 meters. It features advanced dynamic positioning for stable station keeping and is equipped to accommodate 20,000 psi blowout preventers, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The launch marked a significant advancement in deepwater drilling technology, highlighting the industry's shift toward safer, more efficient, and higher-pressure-capable vessels, and reflected renewed confidence in offshore exploration as energy companies pursue complex reserves in ultra-deepwater environments.

In July 2025, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), a Turkey-based oil and gas exploration and production company, acquired two sister drillships, the West Draco and West Dorado, from Eldorado Drilling AS for $490 million. Through this acquisition, TPAO aims to expand its deepwater drilling fleet and strengthen offshore exploration capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean and North African regions, enhancing its strategic position in regional energy development. Eldorado Drilling AS is a Norway-based company specializing in the ownership and management of ultra-deepwater drillships.

Major companies operating in the drillships market are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, Fincantieri Group, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd., Valaris Limited, Keppel Offshore And Marine Limited, Odfjell Drilling Ltd., Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd., Estaleiro Atlantico Sul S.A., Aban Offshore Limited, Seatrium Ltd., Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd., Daewoo Shipbuilding And Marine Engineering Co. Ltd., Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., China Merchants Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Sembcorp Marine Ltd., Lamprell plc, Gulf Island Fabrication Inc.

North America was the largest region in the drillships market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the drillships market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the drillships market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The drillships market consists of sales of derrick, draw works, mud pumps, blowout preventer, drill pipe, dynamic positioning systems, marine riser tensioners, subsea well control equipment, and onboard drilling support systems. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Drillships Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses drillships market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for drillships ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The drillships market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type of Drillship: Ultra-Deepwater Drillships; Deepwater Drillships; Intermediate Water Depth Drillships; Shallow And Transitional Water Drillships
• 2) By Propulsion System: Conventional Propulsion; Dynamic Positioning (DP) Systems; Hybrid Propulsion Systems; Dual Fuel And Low Emission Propulsion Systems
• 3) By Ownership Model: Owned Fleet; Chartered Fleet; Joint Ventures; Independent Operators
• 4) By Application: Shallow Water; Deep Water; Ultra-deepwater
• 5) By End-User: Oil And Gas Companies; Offshore Drilling Contractors; Offshore Research And Scientific Drilling Operators; Other End-User
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Ultra-Deepwater Drillships: High-Capacity Drilling Vessels; Extended Reach Drillships; Harsh Environment Drillships
• 2) By Deepwater Drillships: Dual-Activity Drillships; High-Pressure High-Temperature Drillships; Modular Design Drillships
• 3) By Intermediate Water Depth Drillships: Standard Depth Drillships; Semi-Automated Drillships; Versatile Operation Drillships
• 4) By Shallow And Transitional Water Drillships: Compact Drillships; Cost-Optimized Drillships; Nearshore Operation Drillships
• Companies Mentioned: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.; COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.; China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited; Fincantieri Group; Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.; Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.; Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd.; Valaris Limited; Keppel Offshore And Marine Limited; Odfjell Drilling Ltd.; Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd.; Estaleiro Atlantico Sul S.A.; Aban Offshore Limited; Seatrium Ltd.; Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd.; Daewoo Shipbuilding And Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.; Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.; China Merchants Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.; Sembcorp Marine Ltd.; Lamprell plc; Gulf Island Fabrication Inc.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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