The 27th SMM exhibition closed in Hamburg on 9 September on an upbeat note despite the difficult trading conditions that many sectors of the shipping and wider maritime sectors are facing, the organisers said in a closing report.
“The overwhelming turnout is proof of a general sense of anticipation that was palpable during the four days of the fair, as well,” said Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH., in the report.
Uwe Beckmeyer, Parliamentary Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, and Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, emphasised the importance of SMM as an innovation driver: “SMM is a very special platform. The world loves to gather here for this event,” he said.
Digitalisation had been chosen as one of the main topics for SMM 2016. “SMM is the first maritime trade fair globally to turn the spotlight on “Industry 4.0”. This theme harbours enormous potential for the shipping industry,” said Dr Alexander Nürnberg, Chairman of the Board of the Marine Equipment and Systems working group at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), and Managing Director of MacGregor Hatlapa.
Another major topic addressed by this year’s event was Green Propulsion. The fair organisers had erected a dedicated, 3,500 square metre exhibition hall to feature relevant products and services. “This special hall provided an optimal setting for us to showcase our competencies as a specialist for hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems," said Andreas Baumüller, Managing Director of Baumüller Group. The new hall had been completely booked several weeks ahead of the beginning of the fair.
“What hasn’t changed is that business deals are made between people. Here at SMM everything is very personal, walking distances are short, and you can look your partner in the eyes,” said Manfred Urban, Managing Director of Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH.
This year again, many business deals were signed at the exhibition stands. To give a few examples, Meyer Werft signed a billion-dollar contract for three LNG-powered cruise ships with Carnival Corporation & plc.
Siemens will equip the first cruise ship of the British shipowning company Saga Cruises with the SISHIP eSiPOD propulsion system. MTU will supply four gas engines for two new, 70-metre aluminium catamarans of the Dutch owner Doeksen, the report concluded.
