At the upcoming SMM 2026 in Hamburg, nearly 20 young companies will present their innovations for the maritime industry. The ideas range from AI to robotics.
SMM is not only a showcase for established technologies, but also a stage for tomorrow’s innovations. With Start-ups@SMM, the world’s leading trade fair is once again putting young companies and their developments in the spotlight. From September 1 to 4, international founders will demonstrate in Hamburg how new technologies are transforming the maritime industry.
“Many of the technologies that will shape the maritime industry in the coming years are emerging in young companies today,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress. “With Start-ups@SMM, we are making this innovative power visible and providing developers with an international platform. The innovations show how new ideas become marketable solutions – including several world premieres.”
In the HANSA podcast, Selbach also speaks about the trade fair in general, the impacts of geopolitical conflicts, shifts among exhibitors, and a lack of support from Berlin.
World Premieres and New Technologies
A total of 19 young companies are presenting themselves at Start-ups@SMM. The main focus is on Artificial Intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, digital analytical tools, as well as technologies for greater energy efficiency and sustainability. Four companies serve as examples of this broad spectrum.
Agen Robotics from Turkey presents the “Micro Panel Line,” a robot-assisted system for the automated assembly and welding of steel components in shipbuilding. The system processes digital design data and is intended to help shipyards make manufacturing processes more efficient, precise, and productive.
Several start-ups are celebrating world premieres at SMM. The German company FrekiLabs is introducing “accel::lbm,” a simulation software that calculates flow conditions and ship resistance significantly faster, thereby accelerating digital ship design. South Korea’s MarinaChain presents MarinaValue, an AI-powered platform that aggregates market, vessel, and operational data to support shipowners and investors in fleet valuations and investment decisions.
Slovakian company Bencros is also presenting a world premiere at SMM: ship fenders made from CO₂-negative recycled rubber. The innovative production process makes it possible for the first time to link certified Carbon Inset Credits to every delivered fender, contributing to the decarbonization of maritime infrastructure.
Other start-ups are working on autonomous ship systems, AI-based assistance solutions, water treatment technologies, data-driven fleet analytics, or zero-emission propulsion concepts. In their entirety, Start-ups@SMM demonstrate how broad the innovation spectrum of the maritime start-up scene has become.
Start-ups from All Over the World
The start-ups are presenting on two joint exhibition areas in Halls A3 and B6. They come from Germany, Europe, Canada, and Asia. The showcase is complemented by the “Start-up Route,” which guides visitors directly to the start-ups on the joint stands in Halls A3 and B6.
Young companies are also showcasing their innovative strength in the Naval Hall (Hall B8), the exhibition area for Maritime Security & Defence. German company Salvor Marine Intelligence is presenting a world premiere there with “Assist”: the modular drone system supports search and rescue operations at sea through autonomous flight functions, AI-assisted mission planning, and the deployment of rescue equipment. This is supplemented by Norwegian start-up Zeabuz, which develops autonomous technologies for maritime applications.
Maritime Start-up Day & Night
The highlight of the start-up program is the Maritime Start-up Day & Night on Wednesday, September 2, organized jointly with the Maritime Startups Deutschland association. In front of the SMM audience, participating companies will present their innovations in short pitches to an expert jury. The most convincing pitch will be named “Best Maritime Start-up 2026” during the SMM Maritime Start-up Night. The networking event at Karoline, located right next to the exhibition grounds, offers an opportunity for personal exchange between start-ups, industry, investors, and media over music, food, and drinks. Tickets for the evening event are available in the SMM ticket shop.
Start-ups@SMM offers young companies the opportunity to present their developments to an international professional audience and engage with potential customers, partners, and investors at an early stage. At the same time, visitors gain insights into technologies and business models that could shape the maritime industry in the coming years.
