VietShip 2025 took place in Hanoi

The 10th international exhibition on shipbuilding and offshore technology - VietShip 2025 officially opened  in Hanoi on March 5.

Organized by the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) in collaboration with the Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Joint Stock Company (VISEC), the event runs from March 5 to 8, bringing together key players from the shipbuilding and offshore industries.

This year’s exhibition welcomes over 100 exhibitors with nearly 200 booths, covering a broad range of sectors, including maritime transportation, logistics, and maritime media. Key industry segments such as shipbuilding and repair equipment, materials and technology, offshore oil and gas exploration, and offshore wind power are prominently featured.

Notably, VietShip 2025 is expected to witness the signing of several important cooperation agreements and contracts, with a total estimated value of approximately $60 million. This reflects not only the vibrancy of the market but also the strong confidence investors have in Vietnam’s shipbuilding sector as it enters a new era of development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang emphasized that VietShip 2025 represents a significant milestone, reaffirming the exhibition’s prestige in the maritime and shipbuilding industries.

He highlighted that the National Assembly’s GDP growth target of 8 per cent for 2025 requires contributions from all economic sectors, including shipbuilding. Moreover, as Vietnam advances its commitments under COP26, the exhibition serves as a vital platform for accelerating industry growth while promoting sustainability.

One of the significant highlight of VietShip 2025 is the opening of Norwegian Pavilion, showcasing cutting-edge innovations and sustainable maritime solutions from Norway’s leading companies. Seven top Norwegian firms are presenting their latest advancements in green maritime technology, opening new avenues for collaboration between Norway and Vietnam in this critical sector.

At the opening ceremony of Norwegian Pavilion in VietShip2025, Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken emphasized that as ocean nations, oceans indeed connect Norway and Vietnam, and also bilateral trades between the two countries. Vietnam and Norway are both members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and green maritime will soon open up opportunities for both countries and companies to work together and thus create jobs for local communities along our coasts.

“Navigating a green voyage is our mutual interest and we look forward to new partnerships established between Norwegian and Vietnamese companies,” the Ambassordor added.

Along with that, Mrs. Karin Greve-Isdahl, Norwegian Commercial Counsellor and Country Manager for Innovation Norway in Vietnam, also highlighted that the Norwegian maritime cluster is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing shipowners, brokers, insurance and financial services, shipyards, maritime education, and research. Therefore, cooperation with Vietnam in this sector holds great potential.

“Together, the Norwegian companies at VietShip 2025 will tell a story of how each of them contributes to the industry’s success by leveraging its maritime expertise, setting ambitious emission reduction targets, leading the zero and low-emission vessel construction, fostering a comprehensive green maritime ecosystem, and engaging in international collaboration,” Mrs. Karin added.

Sharing with VET about the cooperation potential to explore in this sector in Vietnam, Mr. Asle Lohne, Senior Sales Manager at Bergen Engines Norway, expressed his optimism about the potential of the Vietnamese market, especially at a time when numerous resolutions on green energy and environmental protection are being actively discussed.

 “We already have engines installed in several vessels operating in Vietnamese waters, currently running on diesel. If new regulations emerge, these engines can be upgraded to use alternative fuels like methanol or biodiesel, significantly reducing emissions,” Mr. Lohne shared.

While this presents an opportunity, it also poses a challenge for Mr. Asle Lohne’s company, as the transition would depend on the specific operational requirements. In which, he noted that the current regulations in Vietnam are not as strict as those in Europe. As a result, the company is focusing its development efforts on meeting the European standards first.

“Once the same level of regulations is implemented in Vietnam, we will already have the necessary solutions available, having conducted extensive testing and gained substantial experience. This approach will likely result in cost savings for ship owners in Vietnam in the coming years.” he added.