"SMM serves as a platform for addressing the most important issues of the maritime industry. It helps pave the way into a sustainable and digitalised future,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs at Hamburg Messe und Congress. The Global Maritime Environmental Congress (gmec) and Offshore Dialogue will focus on decarbonising shipping. “The shipping industry urgently needs alternative fuels to achieve its carbon neutrality goal,” said Professor Sören Ehlers, Director of the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems. “Whether methanol or ammonia – the basis will be hydrogen,” he added. Other speakers include Dieter Janecek, the German government’s Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, Torgeir Sterri, Offshore Classification Director at DNV Maritime, and Erik Seidelmann from Current Scientific Corporation. The Maritime Future Summit will also focus on the role of AI in digitalisation and the "AI for the Oceans Award" will also be presented in the AI Centre. Practical applications will be demonstrated by the HullSkater robot for ship hull cleaning. Fledgling companies can attend the Startup Route, the Maritime Innovation Challenge of the MS&D Conference (International Conference on Maritime Security and Defence) and the Startup Pitches competition organised by Maritime Startups Germany.
The leading Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology (SMM) convetion gets underway in Hamburg from September 3-6, 2024. More than 2,000 exhibitors from 70 countries and representatives of the maritime industry are expected at the fair. This year’s SMM will feature exhibitions and presentations and free access to conferences on four themed stages. Emphasis is on decarbonisation, digitalisation, recruiting, maritime security and defence. Around 2,000 exhibitors will also offer insights into shipbuilding and interior design among other aspects.
SMM to boost sustainability and digitalisation
Recruiting and maritime safety
The shortage of skilled labour hampers growth in the industry and is thus a key issue this year. Young professionals can attend the Maritime Career Market in the Career Forum to get to know potential employers, career opportunities and professions in the shipping industry. Apart from the latest trends in naval shipbuilding, the MS&D conference will also cover security policy challenges and defending maritime infrastructures. Maritime security and protecting maritime infrastructure are uppermost to corporate consultant and Reserve Corvette Captain Dr Moritz Brake. “The new security situation requires answers at the societal level. It highlights the growing responsibility of private operators of critical maritime infrastructure. No business model in the maritime sector will remain competitive without an updated security concept and adequate resilience.” Exhibitors, shipyards and suppliers in the Security & Defence Route will highlight shipbuilding and equipping ships for navies and coast guards.
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