A multi-faceted, comprehensive conference programme addressing the industry’s most pressing issues will once again captivate SMM visitors this year. The leading international maritime trade fair will put decarbonisation, digitalisation, recruiting as well as maritime security and defence at the top of its agenda. For the first time, the conferences will be freely accessible to all visitors and take place on the four Transition Stages in the exhibition halls: Green Stage, Open Stage, Cruise & Ferry Stage and Digital & Security Stage. An overview of the conference highlights.
From 3 to 6 September, SMM in Hamburg will open its gates to more than 40,000 participants from 120 different countries. With over 2,000 exhibitors from 70 countries as well as a first-rate stage programme focused on the industry’s most important topics, SMM is the world’s maritime flagship fair. “SMM is more than just a trade fair. It is a platform for sharing innovations and new ideas that will move the maritime sector forward. This is where thought leaders and pioneers meet to set the pace for the future of shipping,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs at Hamburg Messe und Congress. “At our five conferences, international experts will discuss the key concerns of the industry. As a major novelty, the conferences will be held on the freely-accessible Transition Stages in the exhibition halls for the first time. This means that all participants will be able to attend the panel discussions and lectures free of charge,” explains Selbach. In addition, numerous Stage Sessions will be held to provide profound insights into the core topics on the stages Green Stage (Hall B4), Open Stage (Hall B2.OG), Cruise & Ferry Stage (Hall B5) and Digital & Security Stage (Hall B6).
Decarbonisation
At gmec – Global Maritime Environmental Congress, moderated by Nick Chubb, the CEO of the British technology company Thetius, Nicola Good, Head of Brand and External Relations at classification society Lloyd's Register, and Gunnar Stiesch, Chief Technical Officer of MAN Energy Solutions, will discuss ways to accelerate decarbonisation. The British company Signol believes in using software to help crews adopt fuel-saving behaviour patterns. Head of Maritime Harriet Hunnisett-Johnson, a former seafarer herself, will explain the concept. “Sustainability needs for the ocean we want” is the theme of this year’s Offshore Dialogue, hosted by Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik (GMT). Its two panel discussions, “Offshore Energy” and “Offshore Resilience”, will explore the climate change processes happening in the oceans, and how digitalisation can help achieve the climate goals. The importance of offshore wind farms for the global energy transition will be the subject of a discussion between Professor Sören Ehlers, Director of the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, and his guests. Further speakers will include the Federal Government’s Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, Dieter Janecek, Torgeir Sterri, Offshore Classification Director at DNV Maritime, and Erik Seidelmann from Canada-based Current Scientific Corporation. The quest for suitable alternative propulsion concepts will be on the agenda of several Stage Sessions. The British company Core Power has tabled a proposition that is hotly debated in the industry: to introduce nuclear power to commercial shipping. Other alternative fuels will be discussed during the session “Propulsion of the Future – what will power future global trade?” Experts on the panel “Green Fuels for the Maritime Sector – Integrating Vessel Demands in the Future Fuel Supply Chain“ will stress the importance of ensuring a reliable fuel supply for future shipping.
Digitalisation
Digitalisation and the role of AI will be in focus at the Maritime Future Summit. Titled “Smart is Green”, the conference will gather numerous pre-eminent experts in the digital field. Dimitry Ponkaratov, Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software UK, will explain how digital twins can save fuel. Helle Vines Ertsås, Global Category Manager of coating specialist Jotun, will present an innovative AI-based solution for vessels operating in regions with a high risk of hull fouling. Dr. Amy Parkes from Arcsiela Partner LLP will explain the potential benefits of AI for ship operations. On the Digital & Security Stage, researchers and practitioners will report about the potential as well as limitations of additive manufacturing in the maritime sector, moderated by AM/3D Printing Concepts & Market Integration. The future prospects of autonomous shipping in Germany will be the subject of a discussion between port managers and engineers in a session titled “Steering Future – the future of autonomous navigation in Germany”.
Recruiting
The shortage of skilled labour hinders industrial growth, and the maritime sector is not an exception – reason enough for SMM to call broad attention to the subject. Whether ferry operations or port management, the objective is to show young talents how attractive the maritime industry is and what career opportunities it offers. A Stage Session organised by thilles consulting will address employer and industry branding. At the Career Forum, leading maritime organisations and universities will provide information about career paths in shipping and maritime education programmes.
Maritime Security & Defence
The agenda at MS&D – international conference on maritime security and defence will not only cover the latest trends in naval shipbuilding but also geostrategic issues. Panel members will include public figures such as former Ukrainian deputy minister of defence, Igor Kabanenko, and Dr Jyh-Shyang Sheu from the Taiwanese Institute for National Defence and Security Research. In their conversation with Dr Sarah Kirchberger, Director of the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, both will provide first-hand security assessments of two crisis or war situations. Maritime security and the protection of maritime infrastructure are among the concerns voiced by corporate consultant and Reserve Corvette Captain Dr Moritz Brake. Australian retired Major General Mick Ryan, expert at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, will explain the tasks of navies in complex operations. At the Maritime Innovation Challenge, small enterprises and start-ups will pitch their best ideas and technologies for maritime security and defence.
Further topics at SMM:
Ship Finance
Hosted by the industry magazine TradeWinds, the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum is the only remaining conference that charges an admission fee. Editor-in-chief Julian Bray will discuss with industry experts. Investment challenges in uncertain times will be the topic of an exchange of views with VDR President Gaby Bornheim, Reederei Nord CEO Kurt Klemme, and Constantin Baack, CEO of MPC Container Ships. Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime, will explore sustainable innovations the shipping sector should apply today. gmec, the environmental conference, will examine pathways to financing sustainable ship operations.
Cruise & Ferry
A session titled “Designing Ships – An Annual Update” will look at trends in cruise ship interior outfitting and architecture. Ship designers and representatives of cruise operators will identify challenges to the decarbonisation of river cruise ships and chart a course into the future of cruise shipping. The SMM has been able to secure the international cruise industry association CLIA as a partner for this field.
About SMM
The leading international maritime trade fair takes place in Hamburg from 3 to 6 September 2024. More than 2,000 exhibiting companies and around 40,000 visitors from over 120 countries are expected to attend. Covering the entire value chain of the maritime industry on 90,000 m² in twelve exhibition halls, SMM is the world’s foremost platform for innovation and the latest technologies in the maritime sector that brings together business leaders from around the world. Themed “SMM – driving the maritime transition”, the 31st SMM will focus on the maritime energy transition and digital transformation. An attractive conference programme and a wide range of networking opportunities will supplement the exhibition. For the first time, the conferences will take place on open stages inside the exhibition halls – free of charge, and accessible to all fair visitors.
Image1: © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Nicolas Maack
Image2: © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Hartmut Zielke
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