Key Players
Competitive Landscape
Flag state approval decides who can sell a SOLAS raft, and each design passes type tests under IMO testing rules before a shipowner can fit one. Service networks matter next. Each raft goes back to an approved station on schedule. VIKING describes the company as a complete supplier of maritime safety, having moved beyond a focus on liferafts.[3]
Large-raft evacuation systems are the newest field of rivalry, and VIKING certified the Helix with DNV for ferries and small to mid-size cruise ships.[1] Rafts and rescue boats are often bought together for the same ship, and the rescue boats market is predicted to increase at a 3% CAGR, slightly slower than rafts. The ten profiled makers fall into SOLAS, leisure and specialist groups.
Company developments mapped to drivers, trends and opportunities (2026-2036)
| Development | Driver | Trend | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026: VIKING reports higher 2025 net sales. | Commercial and defence fleets. | Move to full maritime safety supply. | Bundled raft and service contracts. |
| April 2026: VIKING presents the Helix system. | Larger passenger ships. | Fewer, larger rafts per station. | Retrofit of ferries and cruise ships. |
| July 2026: UK Home Office tenders raft servicing. | Fixed service cycles. | Outsourced raft care. | Multi-year service contracts. |
Source: Future Market Insights, Marine Life Rafts Market Report, 2026-2036.
Operators are asking for rental and exchange terms, and makers with wide station networks will keep those fleets through each replacement cycle.
Who leads the marine life rafts market?
VIKING leads on documented results, with DKK 4,198 million of net sales in 2025.[3] Survitec and Ocean Safety follow among the profiled makers, with rafts listed in UK government service tenders.[8]
Which companies have documented positions?
VIKING documents results and new evacuation systems.[3][1] Ocean Safety and Survitec are documented through the Home Office servicing tender.[8]
What should buyers evaluate before approving a supplier?
Buyers check flag state and SOLAS or ISO 9650 approval, the location of approved service stations along each trading route, and service intervals. Rental terms, spare pack availability and repacking costs after each inspection are compared next.
How is competition expected to change through 2036?
Service networks and evacuation systems for large rafts will decide the main contracts. Leisure rafts will compete more on price, weight and pack size.
Representative Company Overview
| Company | Positioning | Recent development |
|---|---|---|
| VIKING | Largest SOLAS raft and evacuation system maker | April 2026: Helix evacuation system introduced. |
| Survitec | SOLAS and leisure rafts with a global service network | July 2026: Crewsaver rafts in Home Office service tender. |
| Ocean Safety | UK maker of ISO 9650 leisure rafts | July 2026: Regatta and Standard rafts in Home Office tender. |
Research Methodology
The companies included in the report represent current market structure and do not indicate a market-share ranking. Fleet, rule and company facts here come from raft maker releases, maritime regulators, coast guard statistics, government tenders, shipyard releases and trade press published from May 2025 onward.
