The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is expanding the success of K-shipbuilding exports into the maritime equipment sector to support entry into the ASEAN market.
KOTRA announced that it held the '2026 Korea-ASEAN Maritime Week' in Bali, Indonesia, from July 28 to 29, with participation from over 40 domestic and international shipbuilding and maritime equipment companies. The event was organized in collaboration with the Gyeongnam Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Cooperative, providing a platform for business consultations and technology exchanges.
The ASEAN region is a key shipbuilding market, with increasing demand for eco-friendly vessels and high-efficiency marine plants. As it emerges as an alternative production base amid global supply chain restructuring, there is significant potential for collaboration with Korean companies due to the high reliance on local equipment imports.
More than 40 Korean companies, along with major shipbuilding and marine plant clients and associations from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Australia, participated in the event. Notable attendees included Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering (MMHE), Indonesia's state-owned shipyard PT PAL, and Vietnam Ocean Shipping Company (VOSCO).
Over the two days, activities included project consultations between the two countries, one-on-one business meetings, a new technology and product exhibition, and a seminar on ASEAN shipbuilding and marine plants. Participants discussed various cooperation opportunities in areas such as eco-friendly energy, AI-based robotic equipment, shipbuilding and marine infrastructure development, and expanding equipment procurement.
Korean company Seho Marine Solutions and Indonesian shipyard PT DPL also achieved a milestone by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for technical cooperation in developing eco-friendly fuel-powered small vessels and unmanned surface vehicles.
Kim Kwan-mook, KOTRA's Vice President and Head of the Economic Security and Trade Cooperation Division, stated, "ASEAN is an emerging market due to the growing demand for marine infrastructure development and small to medium-sized vessel construction. Given the strong local demand for Korean companies, we will continue to expand support for small and medium-sized enterprises entering the ASEAN market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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