South Korean shipbuilders to converge on world's largest gas industry expo next month

South Korea's shipbuilding industry is set to make a unified showing at the world's largest gas industry exhibition next month, showcasing next-generation vessel technology and seeking new business opportunities.

According to industry sources Thursday, a broad range of domestic companies and institutions plan to set up booths at Gastech 2026, which runs for four days from Sept. 14 in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants will include HD Hyundai affiliates — HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Marine Solution and HD Hyundai Electric, among others — as well as Hanwha affiliates such as Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Engine and Hanwha Power Systems, and Samsung Heavy Industries.

Gastech is a gas and energy industry exhibition covering natural gas, LNG, low-carbon energy, hydrogen, shipping and offshore, electrification and AI. It draws energy companies, shipbuilders, shipping firms, government officials and investors to discuss energy security and decarbonization technology. This year's event is expected to attract more than 1,000 companies from over 150 countries, with total attendance projected to reach around 50,000.

South Korea's major shipbuilders have participated in Gastech annually to present next-generation vessel technology, obtain global classification society approvals and sign MOUs with key industry players. Top group executives, including HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun and Hanwha Senior Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, have attended in person on multiple occasions to meet global shipowners and operators, making the event a key venue for major business partnerships.

At last year's exhibition, HD Hyundai received approval in principle from Det Norske Veritas for a next-generation gas carrier design, and from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a solution enabling optimal equipment operation without crew intervention. Hanwha Ocean signed a joint research agreement with ABS to address US Coast Guard vessel requirements. Samsung Heavy Industries received approval in principle for a 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier powered by a molten salt reactor.

This year's event will also feature addresses by executives from major companies. James Sagar, CEO of Hanwha Shipping — a US subsidiary of Hanwha Ocean — will take the stage as a conference speaker. Hanwha is currently pursuing vertical integration of its US shipbuilding operations, centered on Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia. Sagar joined Hanwha Ocean America in October last year and was appointed CEO of Hanwha Shipping and president of Hanwha Marine Solutions in the first half of this year.

Sagar will speak at the strategic conference on "strengthening sustainable maritime infrastructure and fleet capabilities." With more than 30 years of experience in the maritime and energy industries, he plans to outline strategies for accelerating the shift to low-carbon fuels such as LNG in response to tightening International Maritime Organization environmental regulations, along with approaches to maritime infrastructure investment and risk management for expanding an eco-friendly fleet.

Also presenting at the strategic conference will be Jo Won-sik, executive vice president of Samsung E&A, who will speak on "financing structures for scaling low-carbon solutions." Drawing on his experience in new energy sectors including hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture, utilization and storage, Jo plans to share financial structuring strategies for managing risk in early-stage low-carbon projects across key markets and driving investment and commercialization.