The sixth edition of INMEX Vietnam, one of the region’s most comprehensive international business platforms for the maritime industry, opens today in the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in HCM City.

The expo has attracted more than 300 companies and brands from China, Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, Norway, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, the United States and other countries.

The three-day event features a comprehensive showcase of the latest marine products, equipment and services in areas like shipbuilding, shipping, marine engineering, offshore engineering and technology, dredging and ports and logistics.

There will be a seminar organised by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and Inmatech Corporation.

The seminar, “World class marine science and technology for your business”, will focus on four topics: using NOC science, technology and specialist facilities to improve business; marine geoscience: resources, hazards and climate change impacts; people and oceans: environmental coastal zone impacts from global changes; and eco-system and biogeochemical data-led solutions to global problems.

The seminar will take place from March 29 to 31.

Inmatech will also present a seminar on digital shipping on the 31^st covering marine BWMS, operational risk intelligence solutions for the maritime industry, ADMIRALTY digital services, and maritime satellite communication and application.

“Right now in 2017, Viet Nam ranks eighth in the world in new ship-buildings, with 1.3 million CGT (compensated gross tonnage),” Hendrik G. Lacet, managing director of Maritime-Consult Lacet and advisor to INMEX International Maritime Exhibitions, said.

“This means that the number of orders is growing again after a slow period.

“Viet Nam secured this position by restructuring its shipbuilding sector. Part of this restructuring is allowing foreign shipbuilders like Damen shipyards from Holland, Vard from Norway, Pilion from France, and Triyards from Singapore to have a bigger influence in Viet Nam.”

The 11^th HVACR Vietnam, the only focused industrial show in the country featuring heating, ventilation, air filtration and purification, air conditioning and refrigeration technology and machinery, is also taking place at the same venue.

Two hundred and fifty local and international companies and brands are showcasing their latest technologies and solutions.

“With the swift world-wide expansion of the tourism industry and the enormous increase in the construction of new hotels, restaurants, and cafes across the world, the global market for heating, ventilation, air filtration and purification, air conditioning and refrigeration systems is likely to witness a strong rise in its valuation over the forthcoming years,” Jack Wei, general manager of Informa, the exhibition organiser, said.

“In addition, the increasing implementation of norms and rules for the regulation of food safety and quality is also expected to boost the adoptions of HVACR systems in the near future.

“Viet Nam will continue to enjoy a positive growth in the HVACR industry.”

In the period from 2009 to 2014, the country’s imports of HVACR products grew at a compounded annual rate of 11.9 per cent, he said. In 2014, they were worth US$1.5 billion, he added. —VNS