The world's leading trade fair for the maritime industry SMM has opened its doors in Hamburg. For four days, the industry will be presenting in twelve exhibition halls what it has developed since the previous exhibition two years ago. The opening was attended by, among others, Hamburg's Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard (SPD), the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, John Denholm, and the Chairman of the Association of German Shipowners, Gaby Bornheim.
Why is the fair important?
According to the organizers, the maritime industry is going through a phase of profound changes. Increasing requirements for energy efficiency, decarbonization, digitalization and security are changing shipbuilding, shipping, port management and maritime supply chains alike. As the leading international trade fair, the SMM shows the technologies, solutions and business models that drive this transformation.
Under the motto “Driving the Maritime Transition”, the SMM brings together the entire maritime value chain in Hamburg. “The SMM is the place where the global maritime industry meets in person every two years,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach from Hamburg Messe and Congress. It is a showcase of technology and innovation leadership across the entire maritime value chain.
What is on offer?
According to the trade fair, around 2,300 exhibitors and 50,000 participants have access to more than 90,000 square meters of exhibition space. This means that the entire exhibition center is fully booked. The exhibitors came from 70 nations and the participants from 120 countries.
There are 26 official national pavilions as well as high-ranking delegations from politics, business and navies. China, Japan, South Korea and India were among the particularly well-represented maritime markets. For the first time, Cyprus, Vietnam and Brazil, among others, will be represented with their own joint stands. There are also five stages and five international specialist conferences.
What are the main focuses of the trade fair?
The SMM has chosen five focal points for the four-day trade fair. For the first time, the SMM is devoting its own exhibition area to energy efficiency, which includes new drive systems, digital optimization tools, shipbuilding innovations and fleet modernization. The term decarbonization refers to alternative fuels, electrification and wind assistance systems. Other key topics include “artificial intelligence and digitalization,” “autonomy and robotics,” and “maintenance and security.”
What about shipbuilding?
The shipbuilding industry is currently in full swing globally. The industry is recording the second highest order intake in its history and is generating significant growth opportunities for the supplier industry, said the general manager of the Association for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology (VSM), Reinhard Lüken. Germany benefits above all from strong demand for cruise ships, superyachts, naval and special ships. The construction of large offshore converter platforms is also picking up speed.
The IG Metall trade union for northern Germany also sees it that way. Shipbuilding there is booming like it hasn't been for decades. Since 1991, IG Metall Coast has been surveying works council members of northern German shipyards every year about the current situation and prospects, said district manager Daniel Friedrich. And in these 36 years he has rarely received such good feedback from the industry: “I think you can sum it up like this: higher, further, faster.”
