Korean shipbuilders converge on world's largest shipowning nation to pitch eco-friendly, next-gen vessels

South Korea's shipbuilding and maritime industry is descending on Greece, the world's largest shipowning nation, to expand order-booking opportunities with global shipowners while showcasing its eco-friendly vessels and next-generation marine technology.

Korean shipbuilders — including HD Hyundai, HD Hyundai Heavy, HD Hyundai Samho, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries, HJ Shipbuilding and K Shipbuilding — are participating as exhibitors at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, which runs through Friday at the Athens Metropolitan Expo.

Posidonia, held every two years, ranks among the world's largest specialized shipbuilding and maritime trade shows and is considered one of the three premier events in the industry alongside SMM in Hamburg, Germany, and Nor-Shipping in Norway. Because the expo is held in Greece — the world's largest shipowning nation — it draws global shipowners, shipping companies, equipment suppliers and financial institutions in force, making it a key business venue for the shipbuilding sector.

According to the Posidonia website, Greek shipowners control a fleet of 5,543 vessels, accounting for 21 percent of global tonnage. Greece remains the world's dominant maritime power and operates roughly 70 percent of strategically important vessels within the EU. The 2024 edition drew 2,038 companies from 138 countries and more than 32,000 visitors. This year's event is expected to attract more than 2,000 global companies.

Korean shipbuilders plan to highlight eco-friendly vessel technologies at the event, responding to growing demand driven by tightening International Maritime Organization environmental regulations and shipping companies' accelerating push toward carbon neutrality. On the sidelines, the South Korean Embassy in Greece will co-host the 5th Korea-Greece Maritime Cooperation Forum with local think tank the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research, known as IOBE.

At the forum, HD Hyundai Heavy will present the latest developments in liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carrier technology. LCO₂ carriers are considered core infrastructure for the carbon capture, utilization and storage industry and are drawing attention as a next-generation, high-value vessel type. The Korean Register of Shipping will introduce technologies and trends for the multi-fuel era, while Seho Marine Solutions will outline its strategy for building a next-generation integrated maritime platform to meet eco-friendly regulations.

The Korean Register of Shipping will also present the results of its cooperation with domestic companies in eco-friendly vessel technology and autonomous navigation. It plans to hold a series of approval-in-principle ceremonies and MOU signings with K Shipbuilding, Samsung Heavy Industries, Hyundai Glovis, Avikus, Daehan Shipbuilding, HD Hyundai Heavy, HD Hyundai Samho and HJ Shipbuilding.

Beyond the shipbuilders, a broad range of Korean companies and institutions in the equipment, power and engine sectors will also attend — among them HD Hyundai Electric, LS Electric, HD Hyundai Marine Engine, HD Hyundai Marine Solution, STX Engine, KCC, the Korea Marine Equipment Association, the Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Association, the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, and the Ulsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries.

Nine domestic marine equipment companies will also exhibit at the Korea Pavilion, presenting eco-friendly and digital ship solutions. In total, 117 Korean companies and institutions are participating in this year's Posidonia.