By
Laura Hyde |
Decision-makers from the shipping industry discussed decarbonisation and digital transformation at the 31st SMM Hamburg in Germany from 3-6 September 2024.
The event, which included five specialist conferences and a wide range of networking opportunities, highlighted numerous new safety solutions. More than 2,200 companies, from well-established enterprises to new startups, exhibited their products and services at the event, showcasing how they can be used to help the industry build a green and digital-first future.
For the first time, the event was held in the exhibition halls and open to all trade participants, with more than 300 speakers sharing insights on the open stage, discussing the industry’s most pressing issues in a total of 70 sessions. The new open concept for the event was highly praised. “We achieved exactly what we had in mind: to maximise the exchange of ideas and knowledge,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, the business unit director maritime and technology exhibitions at event organiser, Hamburg Messe und Congress.
Hamburg Messe und Congress/René Zieger
The event was held in the exhibition halls and open to all trade participants for the first time
At the event, Cobham Satcom shared details of its new range of advanced satellite safety terminals. Designed for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Cobham Satcom’s two new terminals are prepared to work with new-generation safety services from maritime satellite service providers, Inmarsat Maritime (SAILOR Fleet C) and Iridium (SAILOR 7200 GMDSS). The terminals can integrate both the International Maritime Organization’s Long-Range Identification and Tracking system and Ship Security Alert Systems into a single product. They feature a high-performance omnidirectional, low-profile antenna with efficient power usage while the well-known SAILOR user interface ensures intuitive and effortless operation and easy installation.
“We are excited to take the lead in enabling Inmarsat’s and Iridium’s advanced new features and functionalities including voice distress alerts all contributing to getting timely and effective support to vessels during emergencies,” said Henrik Fyhn, vice president and product line director maritime at Cobham Satcom.
Meanwhile, OceanScore launched its new planning, simulation and budgeting tool, known as FuelEU Planner, to help ship operator comply with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which comes into force on 1 January 2025. The web-based solution is the first in a suite of products designed to support complex decision-making processes related to the regulation. FuelEU Planner enables shipping companies to evaluate the various options for reducing greenhouse gas intensity, vessel optimisation and managing the remaining compliance balances. MSC Cruises was among the first clients to sign up for OceanScore’s FuelEU Planner solution.
The final two days of the conference featured the first Maritime Career Market and the Career Forum in Hall B2. Companies and universities hosted numerous presentations and talks to provide information on future-oriented training and study options, as well as knowledge on everything from getting a job to starting salaries, how to achieve a good work-life balance and on-the-job development opportunities.
Hamburg Messe und Congress/Rolf Otzipka
The first Maritime Career Market and the Career Forum offered the next generation of employees information on future-oriented training and study options
The event’s new digital SMM Networking Platform provided delegates with opportunities to converse, share ideas and establish new business contacts, both virtually and in person at many meeting points at the fair.
“SMM is more than a trade fair – it is the heartbeat of this industry,” said Heiko M. Stutzinger, CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress. “The palpable enthusiasm among participants, the multitude of ideas and solutions, and the level of engagement shown by everybody have demonstrated how indispensable this platform is for the cooperation, as well as the innovative impetus, of the maritime world.”
The next SMM will take place in Hamburg, Germany, from 1-4 September 2026.
Read our reports from day one and day two of the event.