Global Tunnel Boring Machine Market – Size, Trends, Analysis & Forecast (2025–2033)

The global tunnel boring machine market size reached USD 6.0 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8.1 Billion by 2033. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.48% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2033. Market growth is driven by the rising demand for underground infrastructure in urban areas, increased investments in transportation projects, and technological advancements in tunneling equipment. Asia-Pacific leads the market, fueled by major metro and infrastructure projects in China, India, and Indonesia.

Study Assumption Years

• Base Year: 2024
• Historical Year/Period: 2019-2024
• Forecast Year/Period: 2025-2033

Tunnel Boring Machine Market Key Takeaways

• Current Market Size: USD 6.0 Billion in 2024
• CAGR: 3.48% during 2025-2033
• Forecast Period: 2025-2033
• The increasing use of TBMs in the mining industry and innovations in rock-cutting technology are primary market drivers.
• Governments are heavily investing in infrastructure projects like water pipelines, hydropower, and oil & gas pipelines, boosting TBM usage.
• Technological convergence between TBMs and tunnel automation systems is improving excavation workflows and safety.
• Asia-Pacific dominates the market, supported by infrastructure growth in India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
• Metro and transit segments hold the largest market share due to ongoing global metro expansion projects.

Sample Request Link: 

https://www.imarcgroup.com/tunnel-boring-machine-market/requestsample

Market Growth Factors

The increasing utilization of tunnel boring machines in the mining industry along with innovations in rock-cutting technology is a major driver for market growth. Recent cross-industry demand, such as in well drilling machinery, further accelerates the expansion of tunnel boring equipment. Governments of various countries are investing extensively in infrastructure development which enhances the application of TBMs in water pipeline, hydropower, and oil & gas pipeline projects, fostering overall market growth.

Technological advancements are reshaping the tunnel boring machine market. There is a convergence between TBMs and tunnel automation systems which streamlines excavation workflows while significantly improving safety measures. Furthermore, rising awareness regarding TBMs’ advantages, including high specific gravity, viscosity, and the capacity to maintain stability under high pressure, encourages wider adoption. Increasing trend towards tunnel automation is another key factor bolstering market expansion.

Government investment in transportation infrastructure significantly propels market demand. For example, India plans a 200,000 km national highway network by 2025 with an estimated capital investment of Rs 17 trillion. The U.S. Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, valued at US$ 3.8 Billion, aims to widen and construct new tunnels by November 2025. Such investments globally are driving demand for TBMs suited for roadways and highway development projects, positively impacting market growth.

Market Segmentation

Machine Type:

• Slurry TBM: Specialized TBM for soft ground conditions such as clay, silt, sand, and gravel; stabilizes tunnel face with bentonite or polymer slurry; leads market due to effectiveness.
• Earth Pressure Balance Shield TBM
• Shielded TBM
• Multi-Mode TBM
• Others

Product Type:

• Soft Ground TBM
• Hard Ground TBM: Designed for dense and rocky formations; uses robust cutterheads for efficient excavation; holds majority market share.

Application:

• Traffic Tunneling: Specialized for underground passages for vehicular traffic; dominates market with applications in urban road tunnels, bypasses, and highways.
• Utility Tunneling

End User:

• Road Transport
• Railway Transport
• Metro and Transit: Largest market share; used for excavating underground passages efficiently for subway tunnels, stations, and transit corridors.
• Utilities
• Mining
• Oil and Gas
• Others

Region:

• North America (United States, Canada)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
• Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
• Middle East and Africa

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific currently dominates the global tunnel boring machine market, supported by rapid infrastructure development and major metro projects in India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The end of 2023 saw openings of new metro lines in Chinese cities including Wuhan’s 23.3km Line 19. In March 2024, India inaugurated Kolkata’s underwater metro tunnel along with multiple regional metro projects. These government initiatives are expected to drive significant market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recent Developments & News

• June 2025: HS2's tunnel boring machine Emily completed a 3.4-mile drive in West London’s Northolt Tunnel, removing 775,000 tonnes of clay and installing 17,514 segments, marking significant progress for UK infrastructure.
• April 2025: Larsen & Toubro completed 10.4 km of tunneling with TBM Shakti for India’s longest rail tunnel project (Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line).
• March 2025: India’s largest tunnel boring machine cleared factory acceptance for Mumbai’s 11.84 km Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project, the country’s longest urban tunnel.
• February 2025: A new TBM started work on a 5.6 km pressure tunnel for VERBUND’s Kaprun-Hauptstufe power plant upgrade in Austria, featuring a 6.90m cutterhead.
• January 2024: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd launched the tunnel boring machine Eagle for underground metro tunneling.
• February 2024: HS2 launched the third TBM named Emily for the new railway between London and Birmingham.
• July 2023: Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited launched TBM for Head Race Tunnel-1 construction.

Key Players

• Akkerman Inc.
• China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited
• China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co. Ltd. (China Railway Hi-Tech Industry Corporation Limited)
• Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd.
• Herrenknecht AG
• Hitachi Zosen Corporation
• IHI Corporation
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Komatsu Ltd.
• Northern Heavy Industries Group Co. Ltd.
• Sika AG

Customization Note

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

About Us

IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world’s most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provide a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services. IMARC offerings include thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.

Contact Us

IMARC Group,

134 N 4th St. Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA,

Email: sales@imarcgroup.com,

Tel No: (D) +91 120 433 0800,

United States: +1-201971-6302