The maritime industry is currently faced with massive financing problems. But, difficult though the situation is, there will also be winners. "Logically enough, Tomorrow’s Champions is the theme of the SMM Ship Finance Forum to be held in Hamburg on 3 September – one day before the start of SMM 2012," the event organisers said in a statement.

The 25th SMM, shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology international trade fair Hamburg, will take place at the Hamburg Fair site from 4 to 7 September, with expected attendance by more than 50,000 trade visitors from all parts of the world.

This is the fourth time that SMM organiser HMC (Hamburg Messe und Congress) is co-hosting this English-language conference together with Financial Times Deutschland; more than 200 participants and eminent speakers are expected from all parts of the world.