Order boom gives South Korean shipbuilding suppliers a chance to win European green and AI vessel markets

South Korean shipbuilding suppliers are seeking an opening in Europe’s green and artificial-intelligence vessel markets as a sharp rise in domestic ship orders boosts demand for equipment.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, working with the Korea International Trade Association, operated a Korean pavilion at SMM 2026, Europe’s largest shipbuilding and marine-equipment exhibition. Ten South Korean companies took part in the event, held in Hamburg from Sept. 1 to 4.

The companies presented equipment for green and digital vessels, including vessel-management systems, automated navigation, automatic controls, safety-management products, valves, and engine and piping components. KOTRA said European shipbuilding and marine industries are showing interest in automation, safety management, and other technologies linked to the green and AI transition as they face rising demand for low-emission ships, shortages of skilled workers, and supply-chain concerns.

The broader shipbuilding market is adding to the opportunity. When ship orders rise, demand also grows for engines, piping, valves, electrical equipment, and navigation-management systems. Clarkson Research reported that South Korean shipbuilders won orders for 9.38 million compensated gross tons in the first eight months of the year, a 54% increase from the same period last year. The orders covered 243 vessels.

Global orders totaled 59.72 million CGT for 2,128 vessels, up about 61% year on year. China accounted for 45.39 million CGT and 1,672 vessels, or 76% of the total, while South Korea held a 16% share. With such a large gap in order volume, the article presents environmentally friendly and digital technologies as a more important route for South Korean equipment makers than competing on volume alone.