The heads of the three major South Korean shipbuilders will attend the Offshore Technology Conference opening in Houston, Texas, from May 4-7, the companies said Thursday.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Jung Sung-leep, Hyundai Heavy Industries chairman Choi Kil-seon and Samsung Heavy Industries president Park Dae-young are expected to hold meetings there for overseas market expansion and participate in sideline events.

Most notable is Jung’s appearance, which will mark his first public event since being chosen as new chief of the world’s second-largest shipbuilder. Jung’s term begins on Friday and his nomination will be approved at the shareholders’ meeting on May 29.

“The incumbent president Ko Jae-ho will also be in attendance at the conference, but there will be no inauguration event for Jung as the new chief,” Daewoo spokesman Kim Yo-han said Thursday.

The OTC is an annual conference that is regarded the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources and technology.

About 2,500 companies from the oil, shipbuilding and steel industries are to attend this year to share ideas and opinions about advancing scientific knowledge for offshore resources.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)