Maritime experts and businesses from around the world will gather at the biennial INMEX Vietnam, the largest maritime exhibition in the Southeast Asian country, which will kick off on Wednesday in Ho Chi Minh City.

Three hundred leading industry insiders will open 350 booths to showcase their products, services and technology at the event, described as the “leading and definitive international maritime expo in Vietnam and Indochina,” according to the INMEX website.

The INMEX Vietnam 2015 runs from March 18 to 20 at the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center, and promises to showcase “the latest state-of-the-art marine science and ocean technologies.”

“It will showcase all aspects of shipbuilding, marine services and engineering, marine equipment, offshore marine, port and supply chain management solutions that are available in the market today,” the organizers said in a press release.

The expo is hosted by the Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Co. and UK-based Informa Exhibitions, which delivers over 150 trade and consumer exhibitions annually across the globe.

The participants are from countries and territories that are known for their strong maritime industries, including the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the U.S., Italy, France, UAE, Russia, Germany, and host Vietnam.

“The event is an exceptional meeting point for the global maritime community in Vietnam, a region where the industry remains buoyant and strong growth is set to occur,” the organizers said.

“INMEX Vietnam 2015 will once again open its doors to maritime industry professionals looking to source the right product and technology for their next project in Vietnam and the region.”

The event also seeks to attract production and exploration managers, engineers and consultants involved in maritime, offshore engineering, dredging and drilling at a time when offshore drilling and exploration activities in and around Vietnam have surged.

The INMEX Vietnam 2015 will feature a special visit to local shipyards around the Ho Chi Minh City area, which will provide exhibitors an opportunity to meet top-level shipyard owners for focused discussions, according to the organizers.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung recently approved a development plan by 2020 in which the majority of imports and exports are to be transported by sea, the organizers said.

The Vietnamese government plans to increase shipping of goods to 140-152 million tons a year from the current 40 million tons.

“The maritime industry in Vietnam has tremendous potential as recognized by many experts in the field,” said Anna Li, managing director of Informa Exhibitions.

“With the government’s support and private businesses’ investments amounting up to US$1-1.5 billion by the year 2020, the maritime industry in Vietnam is set to develop and grow rapidly to cope with impending pressure from increasing trade.”

Li underlined that the expo “comes at a perfect opportunity for both local and international maritime professionals to capitalize on the growing potential of this industry.”

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