The Korean shipbuilding industry, which recorded 7.97 million CGT (195 vessels) in global ship orders during the first half of this year — a 60% surge year-on-year — is now expanding its reach into the European market. With cooperative demand for Korean marine equipment confirmed in Europe, a traditional shipbuilding powerhouse, following North America and ASEAN, domestic companies have set their sights squarely on the market, leading with decarbonization and AI solutions.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) jointly organized a Korean Pavilion with the Korea International Trade Association at the “SMM 2026 (Hamburg International Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology Exhibition 2026)” held in Germany for four days from Sep. 1. Ten domestic marine equipment companies participated in the exhibition, conducting export marketing activities targeting local European shipyards, shipping companies, and equipment distributors. SMM is Europe’s largest specialized exhibition for shipbuilding and marine equipment, drawing 2,200 companies from 70 countries.

The key themes of this year’s exhibition centered on future vessel technologies including energy efficiency, electrification, alternative fuels, and AI. European shipyards — which hold competitive strengths in constructing large cruise ships and naval vessels — have been turning attention to Korean eco-friendly and smart technologies as they grapple with a growing shortage of skilled workers due to an aging workforce. Similar demand had already been confirmed at the Posidonia exhibition held in Greece in June.

Companies in the Korean Pavilion showcased their core offerings in vessel management and navigation automation, automatic control, and safety management products. They sought differentiation by integrating digital technologies into equipment categories where they already hold established strengths, such as valves, engines, and piping components. KOTRA proactively identified local buyers ahead of the exhibition and facilitated a total of approximately 300 B2B consultations on the exhibition floor.

The European shipbuilding and marine industry tends to be conservative, placing high value not only on technological capability but also on supply chain stability and long-term business relationships. A head of procurement at German shipbuilding company N, who visited the Korean Pavilion, stated: “Ensuring supply chain stability and transitioning to AX in response to skilled labor shortages are increasingly critical priorities,” adding, “Korean companies possess outstanding expertise in integrating digital technologies into their existing strengths, and we welcome the prospect of collaboration.”

Representatives from domestic companies that participated in the exhibition also expressed a clear intention to build long-term business partnerships with European firms through this opportunity. Even after the close of the exhibition, KOTRA plans to continue providing follow-up support — including additional consultations, sample testing, and joint development initiatives — based on the leads identified.

Kim Yeon-jae, head of KOTRA’s Europe Regional Headquarters, noted that growing global demand for eco-friendly shipping, AX adoption, and supply chain diversification represents a significant opportunity for Korean companies, and pledged to support Korean businesses in seizing new opportunities not only in the United States and ASEAN markets but in Europe as well.

Source:Business Korea