The eighth International Exhibition on Shipbuilding, Shipping and Offshore Technology opens yesterday in Ha Noi. — VNS Photos Huy Hung

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The eighth International Exhibition on Shipbuilding, Shipping and Offshore Technology (Vietship2016) opened its door yesterday in the capital, witnessing the participation of 130 companies from 15 countries.

These countries include Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Norway, in addition to Japan and South Korea.

Nguyen Ngoc Su, member's council chairman of the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC), the exhibition's organiser, said that over the past years Vietship has become a destination for Vietnamese and foreign enterprises which specialise in shipbuilding and marine industries, to knowledge exchanges, technology updates, and seeking opportunities for trade and investment.

This year, the exhibition has been organised in the context of the world marine and shipbuilding industry showing signs of recovery after suffering impacts of the global economic crisis, he said. The three-day event is expected to provide recommendations for policy-makers to further facilitate the development of industries, he added.

A workshop to discuss policies and development strategies for the shipbuilding industry takes place today on the sidelines of the exhibition, he noted.

Nguyen Quang Thang, chairman of Pha Rung Shipyard Company, which has participated in Vietship on eight occasions, said the event offers an opportunity to domestic and foreign companies in shipbuilding and marine sectors to explore co-operation opportunities.

Thang said his company is negotiating a contract on building three chemical tankers for a South Korean shipping company and the contract is expected to be inked today.

Vietship is the largest and oldest established exhibition in Viet Nam that showcases all aspects of shipbuilding, shipping and offshore technology. Vietship 2014 had 200 stalls by more than 110 companies, including those from nations with large marine industries. — VNS