The 9th International Exhibition of Shipbuilding, Shipping, and Offshore Technology (Vietship 2018) will return to the capital early next year, the event’s organisers announced on Thursday.

The forthcoming expo will draw the participation of leading enterprises, including those from foreign countries having developed maritime industries, such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, France, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The biennial event will offer a good chance for businesses and investors to approach useful information, share state-of-the-art technologies and seek investment opportunities to further accelerate the development of the shipbuilding industry, organisers said.

Hosted by the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC), Vietship 2018 will take place at the National Convention Centre from January 24 to January 26. It is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors. Conferences on the shipbuilding and maritime industries will be held on the sideline of the expo.

The previous event saw 19 contracts and agreements worth over VND500 billion (US$22.4 million) inked between domestic and foreign partners. It had 220 stands from 130 companies, including 78 foreign firms. — VNS