THE global shipbuilding sector is being urged to seek growth opportunities from the offshore energy industry by Oh Kong-gyun, chairman and CEO of the Korean Register of Shipping.
Speaking at the fourth Seoul International Shipbuilding and Maritime Conference (SIMS) in Korea, Mr Oh explained that while the world fleet is continuing to grow, the number of new orders decreased within the period 2006-2009.
"It can be assumed," he said "that over the coming 10 years, the yearly average newbuilding order book will be less than that of the past 10 years. The demand for containers, tankers and LNG carriers will decrease, while the construction of offshore platforms will show strength in the market place owing to a high demand for energy, increased investment in the exploitation of oil and gas and higher oil prices."
According to Oh-Yoon Kwon, general manager of KOSHIPA, the Korean Shipbuilders' Association, Korean shipbuilders had experienced a recovery in new orders during the first half of 2011. To assist with securing further new business, the yards were concentrating on innovation and maintaining top quality management
Other SIMS conference topics included future prospects for the international shipping and shipbuilding markets, green-ship technology and the global piracy problem