$1.5bn
$XXX.Xm
5,425
313
$XXX.Xm
The Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia encompasses services like ferries, water taxis and cruises. The industry experienced a severe decline in prosperity during the pandemic. Lockdown measures and border closures led to the absence of passengers, notably tourists, causing a corresponding dip in turnover and profitability in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Many businesses had to adjust or suspend their schedules and bear the additional costs of enhanced health and safety measures to survive. Government assistance via the JobKeeper Payment scheme spared many businesses from insolvency, allowing them to retain their workforce and setting up a vital backdrop for recovery.
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.5bn in 2024.
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
---|---|---|
Kelsian | 210.2 | |
Spirit of Tasmania | 204.0 | |
Transdev Australasia | 165.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Boat hire with operator, Local water transport and Long-distance water transport. Boat hire with operator is the largest segment of the Water Passenger Transport in Australia.
Local water transport supported the industry during the pandemic
Companies in the industry operate vessels that transport passengers between destinations over water. Water passenger transport activities that do not transport passengers between destinations, including sightseeing services, are excluded from the industry.
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ANZSIC 4820 - Water Passenger Transport in Australia
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
The rebound in tourism post-pandemic has bolstered the industry’s revenue streams. Rising fuel costs have seen purchases rise but operators have offset this impact by raising...
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Local water transport, particularly ferries, provided essential support for the industry during the pandemic despite reduced revenues. As restrictions eased, long-distance wa...
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Over 60% of marine transport firms in Australia are located in New South Wales and Queensland. This is primarily due to the popular tourist destinations along the East Coast ...
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Barriers to entry in the industry are high. Access to government-backed service contracts is scarce, while initial capital investment into marine vessels can be a significant...
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Kelsian and Transdev have competed for valuable government service contracts. These agreements give a long-term assurance of revenue and provide a useful hedge against future...
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
The Water Passenger Transport industry relies heavily on both international and domestic tourism for revenue. Growth in these areas presents potential opportunities for the i...
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Purchase costs have considerably increased over the past five years. Volatile fuel prices, disrupted supply chains and a decline in the Australian Dollar's purchasing power h...
Including values and annual change:
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Key data sources in Australia include:
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These sources include:
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The market size of the Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia is $1.5bn in 2024.
There are 313 businesses in the Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
The market size of the Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia has been declining at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Over the next five years, the Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia is expected to grow.
The biggest companies operating in the Water Passenger Transport market in Australia are Kelsian, Spirit of Tasmania and Transdev Australasia
Local water transport and Long-distance water transport are part of the Water Passenger Transport industry.
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Kelsian.
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Water Passenger Transport industry in Australia.