Event to help shipbuilding, offshore plant and marine energy firms expand overseas

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction among participants

Poster for Offshore Korea 2026 [Busan city government]
Poster for Offshore Korea 2026 [Busan city government]

Busan will host Offshore Korea 2026, a three-day international marine energy and offshore plant industry exhibition, at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 from Wednesday to Friday, the city government announced Monday.

The exhibition is co-hosted by the Busan city government and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and jointly organized by the Busan Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Industry Cooperative, BEXCO, Kyungyeon Jeonlam, KOTRA and the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association. It is designed to help shipbuilding, offshore plant and marine energy companies break into overseas markets and exchange technology.

This year's event will draw more than 170 companies from 15 countries and operate across a total of 600 booths, including 443 corporate exhibition booths and conference space. The expo will showcase technologies and products in shipbuilding, offshore plants, marine equipment and marine energy, with a particular focus on eco-friendly and low-carbon solutions and digital transformation.

Major domestic shipyards — HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction — will participate with large-scale booths to present their latest technologies. Group visits by shipyard employees are also planned to expand opportunities for technology and procurement cooperation with marine equipment makers.

The 2026 International Offshore Plant Technology Conference will run alongside the exhibition to discuss industry issues and future directions at home and abroad. The conference will feature two keynote speeches, one panel discussion and 26 presentations across six thematic sessions, covering topics including global market outlook, clean energy, and AI and automation. Dedicated sessions for the United Kingdom and the United States will focus on industry trends and avenues for cooperation.

An integrated export consultation fair will run Wednesday and Thursday to help participating companies enter overseas markets. The program will facilitate one-on-one consultations between more than 40 overseas buyers and more than 70 domestic firms, and will also offer networking luncheons, export consulting and AI digital marketing support.

"Building on the region's shipbuilding and marine industry base and technological capabilities, we will support local companies in driving innovation and opening overseas markets," a Busan city official said, "and develop Busan into a hub leading innovation and international cooperation in the shipbuilding and marine energy industry."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com