Small Marine Engines: Essential for Boating and Fishing
Small marine engines are crucial for boating and fishing
activities, as they provide the necessary power to propel boats and help fishermen
catch fish. These engines are designed to operate in harsh marine environments,
providing reliable and efficient performance. In this essay, we will discuss
the importance of small marine engines, their types, and the factors to
consider when purchasing them.
Importance of Small
Marine Engines
Small marine engines play a vital role in recreational
boating and commercial fishing. They provide the necessary power to propel
boats and help fishermen navigate through waterways. Small marine engines also
power essential equipment, such as bilge pumps, navigation lights, and
electronics. Without these engines, boaters and fishermen would be unable to
enjoy their activities safely and efficiently.
Types of Small Marine
Engines
Small marine engines come in various types, including
inboard, outboard, and sterndrive engines. Inboard engines are mounted inside
the boat's hull, while outboard engines are mounted outside the hull.
Sterndrive engines are a hybrid of inboard and outboard engines, with the
engine mounted inside the boat's hull, and the drive unit outside the hull.
Outboard engines are the most popular type of small marine
engines, as they are easy to install, maintain, and repair. They are also
versatile and can be used on a variety of boats, including dinghies, pontoon
boats, and center console boats. Inboard engines are commonly found on larger
boats, such as cabin cruisers and yachts, and offer more power and speed than
outboard engines. Sterndrive engines are ideal for boats that require both speed
and maneuverability, such as sports boats and high-performance boats.
Factors to Consider
when Purchasing Small Marine Engines
When purchasing a small marine engine, there are several
factors to consider, including engine size, fuel type, horsepower, and
maintenance requirements. Engine size should be determined based on the boat's
weight and size, with larger boats requiring larger engines. Fuel type is also
important, with gasoline and diesel being the most common options. Gasoline
engines are typically less expensive, but diesel engines offer better fuel
efficiency and durability.
Horsepower is another critical factor, as it determines the
engine's power output. The horsepower required depends on the boat's weight,
size, and intended use. Maintenance requirements should also be considered,
with some engines requiring more maintenance than others. Regular maintenance,
such as oil changes and filter replacements, is essential to ensure the
engine's longevity and reliable performance.
In conclusion, small marine engines are essential for
boating and fishing activities, providing the necessary power to propel boats
and equipment. Outboard, inboard, and sterndrive engines are the most common
types of small marine engines, with each offering unique advantages. When
purchasing a small marine engine, it is essential to consider engine size, fuel
type, horsepower, and maintenance requirements. By selecting the right engine
for your boat, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable boating or fishing
experience.
Small Marine Engines Market Dynamics
Drivers in Small
Marine Engines Market
The growth of the fishing industry is a significant driver
of the small marine engines market. Small motorized vessels are widely used in
the fishing industry across all continents, with Asia having the highest number
of these vessels, followed by the Americas and Africa. The development of
semi-industrial fishing operations, vessels, and gear has been driven by the
need to reduce fuel costs, save energy, and improve fishing efficiency, while reducing
environmental impact, improving handling and product quality, and enhancing
safety at sea and working conditions for fishers. These developments, together
with an increase in the price of aquatic products, successful fisheries
management in some areas, and improved fleet capacity management in Europe and
North America, have resulted in positive financial and economic performance of
the main global fishing fleets in recent years. As the fishing industry
continues to grow, the demand for small marine engines is expected to increase.
Marine engines are critical power sources for vessels, used
for converting heat generated by burning fuel into useful work. The
Asia-Pacific region currently dominates the global marine engine market,
followed by Europe, North America, and LAMEA. Europe is expected to maintain
its dominance in the market due to its large market for marine/shipping, and
the surge in shipbuilding activities.
Restraints in Small
Marine Engines Market
One of the restraints on the small marine engines market is
the lack of marine infrastructure in developing economies. As the maritime and
shipping industries continue to grow, infrastructure must be expanded and
constructed to accommodate current vessel traffic and port operations. Smaller
economies usually lack liner shipping connectivity, have lower quality port
infrastructure, and inadequate trade facilitation measures, which hampers the
growth of maritime trade in such countries and regions. These challenges pose a
significant hurdle to the growth of the small marine engines market.
Opportunities:
Increasing Offshore Energy Facilities Installation
Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) is a vital source of
sustainable energy, encompassing both offshore wind and ocean energy. The EU's
2050 energy strategy can significantly benefit from MRE. Over the past decade,
offshore wind technologies have witnessed a significant surge due to their high
capacity factors, availability of larger sites, cost reduction, and technological
advancements. Offshore wind power is expected to play a crucial role in
Europe's carbon-neutral goals. The European Commission's Offshore Renewable
Energy Strategy has highlighted the potential of the boating industry as a
useful resource for commuting to offshore energy facilities, driving growth in
the small marine engines market.
Challenges: High Lead
Times
One of the major challenges faced by the small marine
engines market is the increase in lead times. Lead time refers to the delay
between initiating and executing a product or process. Small marine engine
manufacturers are striving to reduce delivery times and shorten lead times.
This challenge can be overcome through innovative solutions and increased
productivity. The marine leisure market experienced a record surge in 2021,
driven by the stay-at-home trend caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and high
economic activity. However, the demand, coupled with supply chain issues, led
to longer lead times. In the marine commercial market, postponed projects, such
as passenger vessels for tourism, were resumed, further exacerbating the lead
time issue.
During the period of 2022 to 2027, the largest market for
small marine engines is expected to be the outboard segment, based on its
placement. An outboard engine, also known as an outboard motor, consists of an
engine, gearbox, and propeller and is mounted to the back of a boat, outside
the hull. It is primarily used to power and steer the boat, with smaller boats
being steered manually and larger vessels equipped with steering wheels. The
underwater positioning of the engine propeller and gear case allows for quick planning
and agile turning, making it a popular choice among boaters. With steady growth
expected in the upcoming years, the market for outboard engines is expected to
remain strong.
In terms of application, recreational boats are projected to
hold the highest market share during the forecast period. The demand for
boating and fishing activities has increased as consumers seek accessible
outdoor activities amidst the impact of COVID-19 on other leisure activities,
sports, and travel. This increase in demand for boating and fishing activities
is expected to drive the market for yachts, cruiser boats, sailboats,
catamarans, and fishing boats, all of which use small marine engines. As a
result, the small marine engines market is expected to be mainly driven by the
recreational boats and fishing boats segments.
During the forecast period, North America and Europe are
expected to account for the largest market size in the small marine engines
market. The North America region is projected to dominate the market due to
increasing investments in the defense sector and restructuring efforts by ship
manufacturing companies. These factors are driving the growth of the small
marine engines market in the region. In Europe, the growth of the recreational
boating industry is a significant factor contributing to the increasing demand
for small marine engines. Countries such as France, the Netherlands, and the UK
are well-known for their boat building capabilities, contributing to the rising
demand for small marine engines in the region.
The growth of the marine engine market is primarily driven
by an increase in international marine freight transport, high demand for two-stroke
marine engines, and an increase in water sports and leisure activities.
However, the market growth is restrained by the rise in adoption of fully
electric vessels and fluctuations in transportation and inventory costs. On the
other hand, the adoption of dual fuel-based marine engines and the development
of engine technology are expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for
market players.
High Demand for
Two-Stroke Marine Engines
Two-stroke marine engines provide high torque at low engine
speed, allowing vessels to cruise at a steady pace without frequent
adjustments. These engines can also run on low-grade fuel, lowering the overall
running cost for ship operators. They are commonly used in vessels requiring a
high power output, such as cargo ships and bulk carriers. Two-stroke engines
generate more power and offer a higher power-to-weight ratio than four-stroke
engines, enabling operators to carry more weight cargo with less power. The
increase in demand for cargo transportation via ships is driving the demand for
two-stroke engines. Manufacturers' development of two-stroke engines is also
expected to boost demand in the future. For example, in November 2021, Wartsila
technology group introduced its two-stroke future fuel conversion technology,
allowing two-stroke marine engines to run on clean-burning future fuels. Thus,
the high use of two-stroke marine engines and advancements in technology are
projected to support market growth in the future.
Development of Engine
Technology
Dual-fuel engines can run on both gaseous and liquid fuels,
allowing for the use of a mixture of two different fuels. Diesel and natural
gas fuels are typically used together in dual-fuel engines, but in the absence
of natural gases, these engines can run on diesel alone. Some dual-fuel engines
can also use varying mixtures of biodiesel, landfill gas, bio-gas, and other
fuels.
Dual-fuel marine engines are eco-friendly and reduce carbon
emissions, enabling companies to comply with emission norms and regulations.
Market players of marine engines are thus focused on developing dual-fuel
marine engines. For example, in July 2021, the Engine Machinery Division of
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) placed an order for the latest addition to MAN
Energy Solutions' dual-fuel portfolio, the low-speed ME-GA dual-fuel engine.
The first engine is expected to arrive in August 2022, with the final unit
arriving the following year. The increase in government regulations related to
emission norms and customer demand for fuel-efficient and cost-effective
engines is expected to fuel the demand for dual-fuel engines and the growth of
the global marine engine market in the future.
Marine transportation has become one of the most
cost-effective modes of transportation, especially for freight transportation,
leading to a significant increase in seaborne trade. According to the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in 2020, international
seaborne trade volume reached 10.7 billion tons, indicating a substantial
growth trend. Additionally, in November 2021, the global trade for merchandise
goods increased in both exports and imports, as per the UNCTAD report. In 2021,
global imports of goods rose by 13.3%, while exports of goods increased by
14.3%.
Furthermore, the international maritime trade has witnessed
an increase in traffic over the past years (2010–2019), with the global
maritime trade increasing from 8,408 million tons loaded in 2010 to 11,076
million tons in 2019, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD). The majority of the movement of goods over long distances
is expected to continue to be covered by maritime shipping in the coming years,
as per the ITF transport outlook by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD). It predicts that by 2030, 70% of total freight will be
transported using maritime transport.
The increase in marine freight transportation can be
attributed to the rise in traffic congestion in trade lanes in the Indian and
Pacific Oceans, and the surge in demand for maritime freight transportation has
led to an increased demand for maritime vessels. According to the UNCTAD, the
commercial shipping fleet of 100 gross tons and above has reached around
99,800, indicating a growth trend in the industry. Therefore, the demand for
maritime transport services and the growth of international maritime freight
transport are expected to fuel the demand for global marine engines during the
forecast period.
Adoption of Electric
Vessels
To comply with the International Maritime Organization 2020
(IMO 2020) mandate that enforces maximum sulfur content of 0.5% in marine
fuels, shipbuilding companies and operators are increasingly adopting
emission-free transportation. This has led to a growing inclination toward
installing electric propulsion in both existing and newbuild ships in the
marine industry. Governments are also supporting electrification in marine
vessels, and countries worldwide are utilizing electrified passenger boats and
ferries.
For example, the European Union-backed E-ferry project
developed the fully electric ferry, E-ferry Ellen, at a cost of approximately
24 million. The ferry can carry up to 200 passengers and 30 vehicles, and it is
equipped with two 750kW propulsion motors and a 4.3 MWh lithium NMC battery.
Additionally, companies are developing fully electric cargo ships such as Yara
International's Yara Birkeland, which was commissioned in 2020. These electric
ships derive all their energy from batteries, as they do not have an internal
combustion engine on board.
The rise in adoption and advancement of electric marine
vessels is expected to hinder the market growth of small marine engines, as
these engines will not be required in fully electric ships.
Key Players in Small Marine Engines Market
- YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- YANMAR CO. LTD.
- BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
- SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
- HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- CATERPILLAR
- CUMMINS INC.
- VOLVO PENTA
- DEUTZ AG
- GREAVES COTTON LIMITED
- WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
- JOHN DEERE
- KOHLER CO.
- TOHATSU CORPORATION
- KIRLOSKAR OIL ENGINES
- OXE MARINE AB
- HYUNDAI SEASALL
- MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES-VST DIESEL ENGINES
- DOOSAN INFRACORE
- FPT INDUSTRIAL
Recent Developments in Small Marine Engines Market
The small marine engines market has seen recent developments
in the form of partnerships and agreements. In June 2021, Suzuki Marine USA,
LLC agreed to supply outboard motors to Camping World, a leading outdoor
retailer in the US. This partnership is aimed at expanding the private boat
brand of Camping World.
In February 2020, Yanmar entered into a partnership with
Smartgyro, a company specializing in gyro stabilization technology for marine
systems. This collaboration enabled Yanmar to enter the growing gyro stabilizer
market and offer more technologically advanced marine systems that enhance
boating comfort, enjoyment, and safety.
In January 2020, Yanmar partnered with Nauti-Craft with the
aim of commercializing Yanmar’s boats through the utilization of Nauti-Craft’s
patented marine suspension technology. This collaboration will likely enable
Yanmar to offer more innovative boats that are more comfortable and safe for
boaters.
The Small Marine Engines Market has witnessed significant
growth in recent years, driven by various factors such as increased demand for
recreational boating, fishing, and water sports. The market has been witnessing
a surge in demand for small marine engines, which are more fuel-efficient,
lightweight, and eco-friendly than their predecessors.
One of the recent developments in the Small Marine Engines
Market is the adoption of electric and hybrid engines. These engines are
gaining traction due to their lower emissions and noise levels, making them
more environmentally friendly. Several manufacturers are investing in research
and development to develop more advanced electric and hybrid engines to cater
to the growing demand.
Another significant development in the Small Marine Engines
Market is the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial
intelligence, internet of things (IoT), and machine learning. These technologies
are being used to optimize engine performance, reduce fuel consumption, and
improve safety. Manufacturers are also incorporating sensors and other advanced
systems to monitor engine health, detect faults, and predict maintenance needs.
The Small Marine Engines Market is also witnessing an
increase in collaborations and partnerships among manufacturers, component
suppliers, and other stakeholders. These collaborations are aimed at developing
more advanced and efficient small marine engines to cater to the growing demand
in the market.
Furthermore, the market is experiencing a shift towards
cleaner and more sustainable fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen.
Manufacturers are investing in the development of engines that can operate on
these fuels to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly marine engines.
In conclusion, the Small Marine Engines Market is witnessing
rapid developments, driven by the adoption of advanced technologies, the shift
towards eco-friendly fuels, and the increasing demand for electric and hybrid
engines. The market is expected to continue its growth trajectory in the coming
years, with manufacturers focusing on developing more advanced, efficient, and
sustainable engines to meet the evolving needs of the market.