GBIP Maritime Technologies South Korea 2025 Briefing
Innovate UK invites ambitious UK companies to participate in the Global Business Innovation Programme Maritime Technologies South Korea.
Join us at our GBIP Maritime Technologies briefing and learn more about the benefits of the Global Business Innovation Programme, opportunities to make connections with South Korean partners and expand your business overseas.
Hear from the GBIP team about the three phased programme and what you can expect. Gain an understanding of the South Korean Maritime sector and the opportunities for technology collaboration.
A recording of the briefing is now available.
Download slides from briefing recording
Key dates
- Briefing Event – 29 May 2025
- Deadline to Apply – 16 July 2025
- Application Outcome – 30 July 2025
- Get Ready Workshop – 1 & 2 September 2025
- Virtual Review Workshop – 1 October 2025
- Innovation Visit – 17 – 25 October 2025
- Exploit the Opportunity Workshop – 3 December 2025
Why South Korea?
South Korea is a dominant force in the global maritime sector, particularly in shipbuilding and maritime transport. The country’s shipbuilding industry is renowned for its technology and quality, with major shipyards like Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Samsung Heavy Industries developing and delivering high-performance vessels. South Korea also boasts a strong maritime logistics and shipping sector, with busy ports and shipping lines facilitating global trade.
With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, the country is leading efforts in low- and zero-carbon shipping, digital shipbuilding, and marine carbon capture technologies.
The UK maritime industry sees South Korea as a priority market for research collaboration, such as in advanced shipbuilding and integration of digital and clean maritime technologies. Both countries are signatories to the Clydebank Declaration for Green Shipping Corridors, highlighting a mutual commitment to decarbonising shipping routes and creating a strong foundation for meaningful international partnerships.
UK-South Korea relations are strengthened by two 5-year agreements to support innovative R&D collaboration with programmes delivered through Innovate UK and Korea’s Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP). In addition, the UK and South Korea signed a Science & Technology Framework Agreement in 2022, reinforcing a shared ambition to deepen innovation-led collaboration.
Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Technology integration into newbuild and retrofitted ships including alternative fuel systems, battery technology and energy efficiency
- Technology for shipyard optimisation and decarbonisation
- Green shipping corridors
- Smart Shipping, digital and quantum maritime technology, including autonomy, cybersecurity, route optimisation
Eligibility
To participate in the programme you must be a UK registered and trading company employing less than 250 employees.