Concrete filled steel tube (CFST) columns are commonly used in bridges and buildings because of their high strength, high energy absorption and better ductility in comparison to conventional columns. Corrosion of steel in the CFST columns is a serious issue in terms of maintenance and cost when used in marine environmental conditions. Concrete filled glass fiber reinforced polymer tube (CFFT) columns with high strength to weight ratio and high corrosion resistance can be used instead of steel tubes in marine environments. Also, the concrete filled double tube sections (CFDTS) columns with better axial compression performance, stiffness, ductility and durability can be used for marine conditions. Hence in the present study axial compression behavior of CFFT and CFDTS (outer GFRP tube and inner steel tube) columns of aspect ratio length (L)/diameter (D) = 2 are investigated and compared with CFST columns of same aspect ratio L/D = 2. Nonlinear finite element analysis of CFST, CFFT and CFDTS columns with dimensions 152.4 × 304.8 mm are carried out using ABAQUS. Thickness of outer tubes considered are 3, 4.5 and 6 mm for all three types, whereas thickness of inner tubes considered for CFDTS columns are 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mm. The axial load carrying capacity of columns increases with increase in thickness of outer GFRP tubes as well as inner steel tubes by 13 %. CFDTS columns have more load carrying capacity and ductility than CFST and CFFT columns with same aspect ratios, CFDTS columns are lighter than CFST columns and almost same weight as that of CFFT columns with same aspect ratios. Hence CFDTS columns are the best among the studied options for marine structural applications.