GWANGYANG — The Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Authority is accelerating efforts to draw marine energy plant companies to the region.
The authority said on the 14th that it is taking part in the 2026 International Offshore and Marine Energy Plant Industry Exhibition, which opened that day at BEXCO in Busan, to court investment. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Busan, the exhibition runs through the 16th and is regarded as Korea's only trade show dedicated to shipbuilding and marine energy plants.
More than 170 companies from 15 countries, including global shipbuilders, are attending this year's event. A total of 600 booths will showcase the latest technologies in shipbuilding, offshore plants, marine energy and related equipment. Eco-friendly and decarbonization technologies will feature prominently, along with artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation.
The authority is operating a joint promotional booth with anchor tenants already based in the zone. The display focuses on the industrial infrastructure and investment conditions of the Gwangyang Bay area, centered on the Sepung and Hwanggeum industrial complexes and the Galsa Bay industrial complex in the Hadong district.
The booth features scale models of offshore wind products from Hyundai Steel Industries, as well as an offshore wind grid-connection system from MSL Technology. The authority plans to use the displays to promote the region's competitiveness in the marine energy plant industry directly to visitors.
Companies in the sector already operating in the Gwangyang Bay area include Hyundai Steel Industries, Hanwha Ocean Ecotech, EEW, SeAH Steel, Hyundai Steel, Hanla IMS, DSR Wire and CS Energy. Together they form an industrial ecosystem spanning equipment, steel, structures and energy facilities, broadening the region's base for future growth.
"The Gwangyang Bay area has everything the marine energy plant industry needs — port infrastructure, a stable supply chain and a business-friendly environment," said Koo Chung-gon, commissioner of the authority. "We will use this exhibition as a springboard to actively attract promising companies and secure future growth engines for the region."