KOTRA Opens Door to Expanded Shipbuilding and Marine Cooperation with Vietnam

Korea Maritime and Ocean University Co-hosts Vietnam Shipbuilding and Marine Business Forum
30 Leading Korean Shipbuilding and Marine Companies Participate
Vietnamese Buyers Impressed by Korean Products and Technology
Vietnam Plans $13.87 Billion Investment in Marine Infrastructure
Korean Ship Exports to Vietnam Double in Three Years
Discussions on Participation in LNG, Port, and Offshore Plant Projects

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on November 6 that, together with Korea Maritime and Ocean University, it held the "2025 Korea-Vietnam Offshore Tech Connect" in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from November 5 to 6.

KOTRA headquarters exterior. KOTRA

This event was organized to support Korean companies’ entry into the Vietnamese market and to identify bilateral demand for cooperation in the shipbuilding and marine sectors. Over 100 organizations, including public sector clients, buyers, and related institutions in Vietnam's shipbuilding and marine industries, as well as more than 30 Korean companies in the same fields, participated to discuss ways to expand cooperation.

The Vietnamese government has set a goal to develop its marine industry by 2030 and, earlier this year, announced detailed plans for the development of ports, harbors, docks, and waterways nationwide. Accordingly, over the next five years, Vietnam plans to invest 351.5 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately 13.87 billion US dollars) in expanding maritime and port infrastructure across the country.

To foster the marine industry, Vietnam is actively seeking to introduce Korea’s advanced shipbuilding and marine technologies and expertise. In August, following the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Korea, economic cooperation between the two countries was further strengthened. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a "comprehensive shipbuilding cooperation agreement" with Vietnam Maritime Corporation, the largest state-owned shipping company in Vietnam. The two sides agreed to cooperate in promoting the development of Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry, expanding and modernizing Vietnam Maritime Corporation’s fleet, as well as in technology transfer and workforce training.

Exports of Korean ships and related products to Vietnam are also on the rise. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, Korea’s exports of ships to Vietnam reached 117 million US dollars in 2024, up 30% from the previous year and more than double compared to 2021, raising expectations for further cooperation.

During the event, Korean companies introduced their outstanding products and technological capabilities to Vietnamese buyers at the Korea-Vietnam Shipbuilding and Marine Cooperation Forum, the Vietnam Marine Project and Procurement Policy Briefing, and one-on-one business meetings in the shipbuilding and marine sectors, seeking export opportunities. Participants from both sides discussed not only shipbuilding and marine industry policies and directions for cooperation, but also sector-specific collaboration in LNG, offshore wind power, logistics, ports, and offshore plants. The Vietnamese government also shared information on infrastructure projects, including the development of three major southern ports (Can Gio Transshipment Port, Long An International Port, and Phu My Port), drawing significant attention from the Korean participants.

Koo Bonkyung, Head of KOTRA’s Southeast Asia and Oceania Headquarters, stated, "Vietnam’s long coastline and the government’s marine industry development plan can present new opportunities for Korean shipbuilding and marine companies. We will actively support the recent momentum for expanding business cooperation between the two countries to spread to the shipbuilding and marine sectors and contribute to market diversification."

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