Asia/Pacific News
South Korean Shipyards Sharing Eco-Technology with Rivals
South Korea's three biggest shipbuilders are sharing technological knowledge with some of the nation's smaller companies in an effort to grow the industry overall, the Korea Herald reports.
Representatives of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), and Samsung Heavy Industries (Samsung) met with government officials Monday in a meeting organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
"The ministry will offer all the necessary support to reinforce the competitiveness of the Korean shipbuilding and offshore plant business," said Industry Minister Yoon Sang-jick.
The shipbuilders said they would provide environment-friendly and fuel-efficient technology, such as DSME's natural gas fuel supply system, to small and mid-size companies.
"The trend of the world's shipbuilding industry has shifted from quantitative to qualitative," said an HHI official.
"It has become crucial for leading shipbuilders to win the initiative in the eco-friendly business sector in order to maintain their lead in the market."
The state-run Korea Gas Corporation said it would use more domestic supplies in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers that it will order next year.
Environmental technology has reportedly been one of the key advantages for South Korean shipbuilders as they compete against other shipyards, particularly in China.
