2025 Gyeonggi International Boat Show Opens on the 28th

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will hold the '2025 Gyeonggi International Boat Show' together with the Korea Fishing Exposition from the 28th through March 2 at KINTEX in Goyang City.

Now in its 18th year, the Gyeonggi International Boat Show is the nation's largest boat show and marine leisure tourism exhibition, where visitors can encounter a diverse range of domestic and international products including leisure vessels such as yachts and boats, marine leisure equipment and materials, as well as surfing and marine tourism offerings.

Notably, this year HD Hyundai's autonomous navigation solution specialist company Avicus, which has commercialized the world's first autonomous navigation solution for large commercial vessels and leisure boats, will unveil its proprietary autonomous navigation solution at the Gyeonggi International Boat Show.

Additionally, Pharos Marine's hydrogen fuel cell-based eco-friendly propulsion system, Cholko's smart marine mooring system, and the Korea Robotics Fusion Research Institute's diver safety support robot will be displayed in the 'High-Tech Exhibition Hall'.

An international conference discussing global trends in high-tech technology for the marine leisure industry and Korea's competitiveness will be held on the 28th at 2 p.m. jointly with IBI (International Boat Industry), a global boating industry publication. With South Devon College (SDC) in the UK, an international education conference examining technical education in the leisure boat industry and the role and achievements of the Gyeonggi Marine Leisure Workforce Development Center will be held on March 1 at 10:30 a.m., and a yachting lifestyle technology conference with global boat manufacturer Ferretti Group will also be available on the conference stage from 1 p.m. on the 1st.

In addition, approximately 20 lectures on various topics including general conferences tailored to different experience levels and interests of marine leisure users, such as 'Boat and Yacht Stories,' 'Boat Setting and Balance,' and 'Surfing When the Waves Rise,' are being prepared. 'Travelies,' famous family yacht YouTuber, will participate to share yacht sailing stories in a talk concert with the audience. Visitors to the Gyeonggi Sea Marine Tourism Hall will be able to vividly experience dynamic and lively seas seemingly pouring out from five large LED screens. The marine tourism photo exhibition booth will offer an opportunity to view 21 beautiful marine leisure activities and marine tourism destinations.

To promote understanding of marine safety through marine leisure experiences and broaden the foundation for marine leisure, 17 experience programs—double the number from last year—will be operated. In the large pool, visitors can experience life raft boarding identical to real conditions alongside the Gyeonggi Marine Safety Experience Center, as well as casting experiences with fishing professionals and boat YouTubers. In a 50-meter-class competition pool, kayaking experiences will be available, and in the surfing special exhibition area, air surf bouncing can be experienced. Particularly this year, a newly established boat trailering experience where visitors can drive forward and backward and through a T-course with a vehicle equipped with a trailer will provide safe trailer driving experience.

Park Jong-min, Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Life Sciences Bureau, stated, "Korea's marine leisure industry has the opportunity to become a flagship industry of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era," and added, "This year's Gyeonggi International Boat Show has been prepared to present a vision for this and provide the general public with an opportunity to experience and establish a safe marine leisure culture."

For major programs of the Gyeonggi International Boat Show, visitors can refer to the website (www.kibs.com) or contact the organizers office (1670-8785).