The fifth World Ocean Forum kicks off in Busan on Wednesday.

The three-day forum will focus on the spread of “smart” technologies and the changes these developments have had on marine industries.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Busan city government and the Korea Association of Marine Industry, will bring together 3,000 academics, business people and marine industry experts from across the world.

The forum will be divided into five sessions ― smart shipbuilding and offshore plants, smart logistics, smart fisheries and mariculture, smart coastal and ocean environment industry, and new smart ocean industries ― where the attendants will discuss changes that have been brought about by the application of information technology to conventional marine industries.

In addition, participants will also discuss changes to come, and the new business opportunities these changes will bring. They will also focus on strategies marine industries need to take in response to such changes.

In addition to the five regular sessions, the forum will also include one special seminar under the theme “smart ocean marine design” and three special events including a roundtable talk among representatives from coastal cities in Asia.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)