Eco-Friendly Korean Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Targeting the European Market

KOTRA Operates Integrated Korea Pavilion at 'Hamburg Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Exhibition' in Germany

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on the 7th that it will operate an integrated Korean Pavilion at the world’s largest shipbuilding and marine equipment exhibition, the ‘SMM Hamburg Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Exhibition’ in Germany, until the 9th (local time). In collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Equipment Research Institute, KOTRA has organized an integrated Korean Pavilion consisting of 34 companies, supporting local marketing for domestic participating companies through the production of an integrated directory and attracting consultation buyers.

This exhibition was held with the core themes of marine energy transition, digital transformation, and climate change. It is the first offline event in two years since the spread of COVID-19. The organizer, Hamburg Messe, provided various conferences, roundtable discussions, and consultation meetings at the exhibition to help participants respond to new changes in the shipbuilding and marine industry.

KOTRA stated that interest in cruise ship construction and maintenance is increasing as cruise demand, which had declined after the spread of COVID-19, is recovering. Since there is a growing preference for advanced AI-related technology products that can captivate cruise customers, it explained that this could be an opportunity for domestic companies. It also added that the domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies participating in the exhibition have a strong will to pioneer the European market, the cradle of the global shipbuilding and marine industry. These companies plan to compete with participating companies from various countries by showcasing products incorporating eco-friendly technologies. Domestic company C will exhibit a ship electric propulsion system that replaces ship internal combustion engines, and domestic company G will showcase a ship desulfurization device.

Yoon Hyuncheol, head of KOTRA Hamburg Trade Center, said, “The recent frequent abnormal climate accelerates the need to introduce eco-friendly technologies in the shipbuilding sector, and the rapidly increasing demand for cruise ships is also worth noting.” He added, “We will continue to support the entry of our SMEs and mid-sized companies with eco-friendly technologies into the European market.”

Meanwhile, along with operating the Korean Pavilion, KOTRA is conducting promotional activities on-site to attract the ‘2030 Busan World Expo.’ Since SMM is a large-scale marine industry event, it is explained that the competitiveness of the marine city Busan can be highlighted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.