>40,000 expected at 30th SMM in Hamburg
Two thousand exhibitors will be presenting their products, innovations or business ideas in the 10 halls at the Hamburg Messe exhibition centre from September 6-9, with visitors expected from at least 100 countries.
With 71% of shipowners in one survey saying they planned to invest in their fleet to reduce emissions in the next two years, it’s hardly a surprise that decarbonisation tops most, if not all, of the conference agendas over a packed four-day programme.
“Eighty-three per cent of the representatives from the Marine Interiors sector, and 85% on the shipyard and supplier side, expect environmental protection and sustainability to set the maritime agenda for the next few years,” says the report by SMM.
‘Driving the maritime transition’ is the theme, and within it one of the key areas in the exhibition therefore Green Technology, which is being hosted in two halls.
“From LNG to hydrogen, from ammonia to methanol, from dual fuel to MFO/MDO: solutions to increase efficiency, as well as low-emission and zero-emission drive technologies, are bound to dominate the exhibition floor in halls A3 and A4,” SMM says.
New features and conferences
For the first time, a SMM Maritime Start-up Award will be given out, to recognise ‘the most compelling new concept across all sectors’. After presenting their ideas, winners and runners-up will be presented on the evening of September 7.
Exhibitors will also get an icon next to their entries in the programme according to which ‘route’ they fit in as part of a new ‘theme routes’ idea to help people find companies more easily at the event or in the programme.
Exhibitors will be marked with the relevant icon depending on which route they belong to, as follows: Digital Route, Security & Defence Route, Green Route, Cruise & Ferry Route, Start-Up Route, Job Route.
Conferences will be held under five headings – Maritime Future Summit, GMEC (Global Maritime Environmental Congress), Maritime Security and Defence (MS&D), Offshore Dialogue and the TradeWinds Shipowners’ Forum – each with its own programme of talks and conferences.
In the exhibitors’ words
In another first, the European Commission will have a stand at SMM.
“Together with industry experts, we’ll be on hand to explain how EU research and innovation supports green and smart shipping policy, in particular the new Horizon Europe Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport partnership,” says the Communication Unit. “Throughout the week, a programme of expert presentations will address key EU policies at Stand 203, Hall A.”
The UK’s Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) has brought together nine UK companies to share a showcase stand in the centre of the UK Pavilion.
“The shared footfall and cross marketing give companies extra value from their presence at the show,” says Tom Chant, CEO. “As the trade body for the UK’s maritime engineering sector I’m delighted we’ve got this group together at this important global exhibition.
“By supporting start-ups and SMEs in this way, we’re building UK competitiveness and exports.”
Vestdavit will be bringing the largest davit it has ever exhibited at SMM, says Bjørnar Dahle, Business Development Director.
“Vestdavit will be displaying it’s PLR-5003 model davit system at stand B5.106,” he says. “Normally mounted on the decks of naval or coastguard vessels for launch of smaller craft, the davit has 5000kg lifting capacity and will equip Norway’s Jan Mayen Class Arctic patrol vessels.
“This will be the largest davit we have ever put on display at SMM and we are very excited to see the response this will receive at our new-look stand.”
Heila Cranes also said it would show off its cranes, from compact knuckle boom cranes to offshore giants.
“To date, more than 5,500 cranes – with crane capacities varying from 2 tm up to 4,500 tm and higher – are installed on tug and workboats, AHTS, pipe cable-laying vessels and yacht support vessels,” the company says.
Digitalisation at the forefront
According to the SMM Maritime Industry Report 2021, the increasing amount of digitalisation across all areas is showing most impetus, from fleet management to unmanned vessels, from navigation to remote survey.
As the maritime sector digitalises across the board, it’s a good time for electrical systems designer Alewijnse to put its offerings on display – and the Dutch firm will take its place in the Holland pavilion at SMM.
“The maritime sector is an international industry in flux,” says Mischa Habermehl, solutions manager hybrid at Alewijnse. “Challenges such as climate change and globalisation are having a significant impact, and new technologies, changes in the way we work and other developments are following each other in rapid succession.
“As a systems integrator, Alewijnse likes to work with customers and partners who share the same vision for a sustainable world. Together we can combine our knowledge and step into the future so that shipbuilders, owners and crew can reap the benefits of the latest high-end systems and techniques.
“The demand for environmentally friendly products and energy efficiency requires smart solutions to reduce CO2 footprints and increase overall equipment effectiveness. Energy conversion and electric propulsion are the key to a cleaner future.”
Communication networks company Inmarsat agrees, and will demonstrate its Fleet Xpress solution at SMM, which ‘facilitates digitalisation, decarbonisation and crew welfare in global shipping’.
Fleet Xpress, it says, supports everything from email and office tools.
Alfa Laval is keen to show conference-goers its solutions for meeting EEDI/EEXI and CII requirements, with its E-PowerPack and Aalborg Micro economiser, among others.
“Through innovation, digitalization and thought leadership, Alfa Laval is driving progress towards decarbonisation and other sustainability goals. Independently and together with customers and partners, the company is making sustainable shipping a reality,” it says.
It will also show visitors how it is collaborating with other firms on methanol, fuel cells and more – such as wind propulsion, in which it has a joint venture with Wallenius Sol.
OneOcean is another firm putting data access at the heart of its products, with its navigational and environmental solutions allowing users to tailor content, frequency and location easily.
“With increasing pressure to reduce emissions and minimise impact on the marine environment, coupled with more regulations and reporting requirements – environmental risk management is a top priority for fleet owners and operators,” it says.
“SMM is an important show for Baltic Lifejackets, where we have exhibited since 2010,” said Baltic Safety Products CEO Johan Lövqvist. “It’s the exhibition to showcase the Baltic range of lifejackets, buoyancy aids, hybrid jackets and flotation clothing for the maritime sector.”
SMM support for hospital charity
Mercy Ships, the charity that runs two civilian hospital ships, the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy, is always keen to attend SMM.
“The SMM is a great opportunity for Mercy Ships to cultivate, deepen and renew our contacts with the maritime industry,” said Udo Kronester, Head of Mercy Ships Germany.
“We are very thankful for the generous support of Messe Hamburg/SMM, which enables us to present our floating hospitals to all visitors and demonstrate our programmes.”
