Terminal Automation Market

Market Definition

The market refers to the global industry that provides systems and technologies to automate operations at terminals. Products like oil, gas, and chemicals are stored, handled, and transferred in these terminals.

This market includes a range of offerings such as control systems that manage equipment and processes, security systems that handle access control and monitoring, tank gauging systems that measure the volume and level of stored materials, and other supporting technologies. The report highlights key market drivers, major trends, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive landscape shaping the market growth.

Terminal Automation Market Overview

The global terminal automation market size was valued at USD 6,250.0 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 6,504.7 million in 2024 to USD 8,879.5 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.55% during the forecast period.

This is attributed to the rising need for operational efficiency, accuracy, and safety across critical infrastructure sectors. The increasing movement of bulk liquids, chemicals, and energy resources has led to greater demand for automated systems that reduce manual intervention and optimize terminal operations.

Major companies operating in the terminal automation industry are TBA Group, Cargotec, Emerson, INTECH, Schneider Electric, ABB, TMEIC PORT TECHNOLOGIES, S.L., Yokogawa Electric Corporation, CERTUS Port Automation B.V., Honeywell International Inc., International Terminal Solutions Limited, Rockwell Automation, Advanced Systek, TechnipFMC plc, and Siemens AG.

The growing use of remote monitoring is enabling terminals to supervise operations from centralized locations, improving responsiveness, reducing on-site risks, and enhancing overall operational control. Additionally, it aids in supporting faster decision-making, predictive maintenance, and stronger cybersecurity measures across distributed terminal environments.

• In July 2024, India's Adani Group's Vizhinjam automated terminal, built through collaboration with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), officially began operations with the arrival of the first commercial vessel, Maersk San Fernando. The terminal features advanced automated equipment, including quay cranes, rail cranes, and various terminal sub-systems, aimed at significantly enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Key Highlights:

1. The terminal automation ndustry size was valued at USD 6,250.0 million in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.55% from 2024 to 2031.
3. Asia Pacific held a market share of 36.62% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 2,288.8 million.
4. The control systems segment garnered USD 2,631.9 million in revenue in 2023.
5. The greenfield projects segment is expected to reach USD 5,171.8 million by 2031.
6. The oil & gas segment is expected to reach USD 3,581.2 million by 2031.
7. The market in Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.66% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

"Increasing Demand for Operational Efficiency"

The terminal automation market is driven by the increasing demand for enhanced operational efficiency. Companies across various industries are adopting automation to optimize terminal processes, leading to improved speed, accuracy, and productivity.

Automated systems minimize human error, enabling better handling of liquids, chemicals, and bulk materials while increasing throughput and reducing downtime. As a result, businesses can achieve substantial cost savings and improve resource utilization.

In sectors like oil & gas, where operational efficiency is critical, terminal operators are embracing automation to meet the growing demand for faster, more accurate operations. This supports their long-term growth and resilience in a dynamic market.

• In August 2024, SIPG announced the official commencement of operations for Phase I of the Luojing Container Terminal at the Shanghai International Shipping Center. The terminal’s “smart brain,” powered by the NEO-TOS intelligent operation control system, utilizes automation, big data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manage quay cranes, automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (ARMGs), and automated intelligent vehicles (AIVs).

Market Challenge

"High Upfront Capital Investment"

A key challenge in the terminal automation market is the high upfront capital requirement. Deploying automation solutions demands substantial investment in advanced technologies, integration services, and workforce enablement. This financial commitment often limits adoption, particularly among mid-sized operators and in emerging markets.

A potential solution is adopting a modular deployment strategy, enabling terminals to automate operations in stages. This approach supports better capital planning, minimizes financial risk and allows stakeholders to assess ROI at each phase, facilitating smoother adoption and long-term scalability.

Market Trend

"Increasing Adoption of Remote Monitoring"

A key market trend in the terminal automation market is the increasing adoption of remote monitoring. Remote monitoring systems allow operators to oversee and control processes from a distance. This reduces the need for on-site personnel, enhancing operational flexibility and minimizing human error.

Remote monitoring also enables continuous real-time data tracking, which supports quicker decision-making, reduces downtime, and increases operational efficiency. Furthermore, it helps identify potential issues before they escalate, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted operations.

The growing trend toward remote monitoring is attributed to the need for more cost-effective and efficient management of terminal activities while ensuring enhanced security and operational control.

• In February 2025, Schneider Electric launched new OT cybersecurity features for its SCADAPack 470i and 474i smart remote terminal units (RTUs). These enhancements allow critical infrastructure customers to securely manage RTU access in remote environments using standard IT tools like Active Directory. With increasing cyber threats to water and oil pipelines, the SCADAPack RTUs offer a rugged platform with role-based access control (RBAC) and integrate with IT and OT security tools, ensuring secure and continuous operation of critical infrastructure.

Terminal Automation Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Offerings	Control Systems, Security Systems, Tank Gauging Systems, Others
By Project Type	Greenfield Projects, Brownfield Projects
By End User	Oil & Gas, Chemical, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation:

• By Offerings (Control Systems, Security Systems, Tank Gauging Systems, Others): The control systems segment earned USD 2,631.9 million in 2023, due to the growing need for real-time monitoring and centralized control across complex terminal operations.
•  By Project Type (Greenfield Projects, Brownfield Projects): The greenfield projects held 57.33% share of the market in 2023, due to rising investments in infrastructure development to meet expanding global trade and energy demands.
• By End User (Oil & Gas, Chemical, Others): The oil & gas segment is projected to reach USD 3,581.2 million by 2031, owing to the increasing adoption of automation for enhancing safety, reducing manual errors, and optimizing throughput in hydrocarbon handling.

Terminal Automation Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

Asia Pacific terminal automation market share stood at around 36.62% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 2,288.8 million. This is attributed to the region’s rapid industrial growth, increasing investments in oil & gas infrastructure, and expansion of chemical processing industries across countries like China, India, South Korea, and Japan.

The growing demand for energy, rising imports and exports of bulk liquids, and government initiatives to modernize port and terminal operations have further fueled the adoption of advanced automation systems in the region.

Additionally, the presence of large-scale terminals and the rising focus on digitalization in logistics and supply chain operations continue to support the regional market growth.

• In November 2024, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation, an investment of USD 25 billion in exploration and production is expected to strengthen India’s position in the global energy sector. With 23 operational refineries and planned expansions, the country is focusing on attracting foreign investment in export-oriented infrastructure, including product pipelines and export terminals.

The terminal automation industry in Europe is poised to grow at a significant CAGR of 4.66% over the forecast period. This growth is supported by the region’s strong focus on sustainability, digital transformation of legacy infrastructure, and stringent safety and environmental regulations.

Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK are investing in upgrading their terminal facilities with smart automation technologies to improve operational efficiency and meet regulatory compliance, which is accelerating market growth across the region.

Moreover, the push for energy transition, increasing LNG terminal investments, and rising demand for industrial automation further contribute to the growth potential of the region in terminal automation.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., the regulatory framework for terminal automation is primarily governed by organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which set standards for worker safety and environmental protection. The EPA establishes rules regarding emissions and environmental impact, which automation systems must adhere to, especially in the oil, gas, and chemical sectors.
• In Europe, terminal automation is regulated under the European Union (EU) Machinery Directive and the ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU), which address the safety and performance of equipment used in explosive atmospheres, common in oil and gas terminals. The EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation also governs the use of chemicals in automated systems, ensuring that chemicals handled in terminals do not pose risks to health and the environment.

Competitive Landscape

Companies are developing specialized automation systems tailored to the unique needs of oil, gas, and chemical terminals. These solutions often incorporate AI, ML, and real-time data analytics to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, and safety.

Strategic alliances are also common, where players partner with system integrators and local operators to offer integrated solutions, improving service capabilities and increasing market penetration in different regions.

Furthermore, companies are expanding their presence in emerging markets by targeting regions with expanding infrastructure projects, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where new greenfield projects are on the rise. These strategies are helping companies stay competitive and address the growing demand for automation in terminal operations.

• In October 2024, BMF Port Burgas implemented AI-driven Gate Automation technology at its Advanced Container Terminal (ACT) Burgas as part of its digitalization strategy. The collaboration between DSP and AllRead resulted in the integration of AllRead OCR with the NAVIS N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS). This integration covered OCR access control, data management, and process optimization, achieving over 97% accuracy.

List of Key Companies in Terminal Automation Market:

• TBA Group
• Cargotec
• Emerson
• INTECH
• Schneider Electric
• ABB
• TMEIC PORT TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
• Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• CERTUS Port Automation B.V.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• International Terminal Solutions Limited
• Rockwell Automation
• Advanced Systek
• TechnipFMC plc
• Siemens AG

Recent Developments (Product Launch)

• In January 2024, Endress+Hauser USA announced its plans to strengthen its support for the LNG industry by providing complete LNG tank gauging systems for several Gulf Coast projects. The initiative aims to enhance inventory accuracy, operational safety, and reliability, while helping customers meet throughput and supply chain goals across terminals, refineries, and depots.