This year’s SMM in Hamburg once again provided a snapshot of the maritime industry. Whilst decarbonisation remains a strategic objective, safety and resilience have increasingly come into focus.
For four days, participants at SMM 2026 discussed the key challenges facing the maritime industry. The topics covered an exceptionally broad spectrum: from maritime security and resilient supply chains, through energy efficiency and new propulsion technologies, to artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Shipping companies, shipyards, suppliers, technology firms, navies and international organisations used the exhibition as a platform to discuss investments, new technologies and partnerships.
“What we have witnessed over these four days is an industry with a strong drive to shape the future,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President of Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress. “Despite geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties, investments are being made, solutions sought and new partnerships forged. Across all topics, it was clear that available technologies are to be deployed more quickly.”
Security and resilience take centre stage
The growing importance of maritime security was particularly evident in the new Naval Hall B8. The MS&D Conference & Expo and the Naval Stage brought together international navies, defence companies, maritime suppliers and providers of dual-use technologies. The focus was on unmanned systems, sensor technology, cybersecurity and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
The response to the new Naval Hall was correspondingly positive. “Decarbonisation remains important, but maritime security and the protection of sea lanes are the number one priority at the moment,” said Klaus Deleroi, Managing Director of Reintjes, which specialises in marine gearboxes. “We need to get ships into the water quickly and must significantly shorten procurement processes. The industry is ready: many of the products and technologies required are already available and do not need to be developed from scratch.”
“For us, SMM is an important platform for face-to-face exchanges with partners and suppliers. The new Naval Hall is an excellent addition and was well received by visitors,” says Oliver Grün, Spokesperson for the Naval Systems Division at Rheinmetall.
The MS&D conference focused primarily on the question of how navies can acquire the capabilities they need in light of the changing security situation. High-ranking naval representatives from various countries discussed new technologies, procurement and closer cooperation with key figures from industry and research.
Vice-Admiral Jan Christian Kaack placed particular emphasis on this during his final public appearance as Inspector of the German Navy. The focus was on higher operational readiness, streamlined procurement processes and the increased use of unmanned systems. Kaack made it clear that, in view of the security situation, available and functional solutions needed to be procured more quickly. In the ensuing discussion, he also advocated closer interaction between manned and unmanned systems. Rear Admiral Christian Bock, Head of the Bundeswehr Innovation Centre, emphasised the need for action: “The SMM and the MS&D are important platforms for identifying new technologies at an early stage and bringing innovations into use more quickly.”
The protection of critical maritime infrastructure played a central role at the Offshore Dialogue. Moderator Walter L. Kuehnlein particularly highlighted the open and lively discussion with the audience on technological and operational solutions.
Efficiency is becoming the ‘business case’
Whilst security and resilience are increasingly shaping the agenda, decarbonisation and energy efficiency remain key challenges for the sector. In view of an uncertain regulatory framework and the still unresolved question of the fuels of the future, attention is turning to technologies that can be deployed today to reduce consumption and emissions. In the new Energy Efficiency Hub, 24 companies presented solutions ranging from wind-powered drives and alternative propulsion technologies to measures for optimising existing fleets.
“The Energy Efficiency Hub is a valuable addition to SMM,” says Ada Ak, Sales Engineer at Bar Technologies. “What struck us in particular was how concrete the discussions have become: shipping companies are specifically looking for solutions to increase fleet efficiency and are increasingly turning their attention to technologies such as wind propulsion systems, which can already be used today.”
The Global Maritime Environmental Congress (gmec) on the Energy Efficiency Stage demonstrated that decarbonisation remains a key focus for the industry. In front of a packed auditorium, industry representatives discussed the path ahead towards climate-neutral shipping. The focus was on collaboration along the maritime value chain, as well as Green Shipping Corridors as a potential approach to driving decarbonisation in the maritime sector.
AI is finding its way into practice
When it came to digitalisation and artificial intelligence, the focus shifted to implementation. Rather than discussing theoretical potential, the SMM increasingly centred on concrete applications – from fleet optimisation and predictive maintenance through to autonomous systems and AI-based environmental awareness.
“At SMM 2026, we can clearly sense that the discussions are becoming more concrete: customers are asking less about the potential of AI and more about ready-made solutions for collision avoidance on board. The quality of the discussions was noticeably higher this year,” says Patrick Haebig, Senior Sales Manager EMEA North at Sea.AI. Anschütz reported a rising demand for AI-supported applications. Among other things, the discussions centred on consolidating data from various sources to support navigation and decision-making on board.
TheMaritime Future Summitpicked up on this trend. Discussions centred on where AI creates added value in operations and where its limitations lie – for example, in safety-critical applications, certification, liability and the traceability of AI-based decisions.
“The interplay between artificial intelligence and human intelligence is one of the key factors for the industry’s further development. It is not a question of integrating AI into as many areas on board or in the processes as possible, but of finding the ‘sweet spots’,” saysMichael Meyer, moderator of the Maritime Future Summit and editor-in-chief of HANSA.
Alongside technological and security-related topics, the next generation of skilled workers played an important role. At the two-day Maritime Career Market, companies, universities and associations engaged in discussions with students, those starting their careers and maritime professionals.
International business is built on personal connections
26 national pavilions and delegations from around 30 countries underlined the SMM’s international focus. For the first time, India, Cyprus and Brazil, amongst others, were represented with their own national pavilions. Exhibitors from many countries reported high-quality discussions, new contacts and business opportunities. The strong Indian presence was particularly noticeable this year. According to the Indian Ports Association, ports, shipyards and maritime companies used the SMM to exchange ideas, forge new business contacts and establish long-term partnerships.
The Danish exhibitors’ assessment is positive: “SMM is a unique meeting place for the maritime industry. Our exhibitors held numerous discussions with international business partners, which will lead to new collaborations. We’ll be back in 2028 with a strong Danish presence,” says Mie Jakobsen, Deputy CEO and Head of Marine at the Danish Export Association, which organises the Pavilion of Denmark.
Junichi Hirata, Managing Director at CAJS from Japan, summed it up particularly succinctly: “SMM is the Maritime Olympics!”
Throughout the four days of the fair, the mood within the industry was decidedly positive. Exhibitors reported high-quality discussions, a strong presence of decision-makers and a continued willingness to invest despite existing uncertainties. “SMM 2026 was an excellent week for Alfa Laval, with intensive exchanges and substantive discussions across the entire industry. Despite the uncertainties in the market, we see a clear willingness to invest when solutions offer concrete operational and environmental added value,” says Helena Sannicolò, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Ocean Division at Alfa Laval. “We are leaving Hamburg encouraged by the momentum with which innovations are being driven forward across the entire maritime value chain.”
Staying on course – and picking up the pace
“After four days at SMM, one thing is particularly clear to me: the industry isn’t sitting back and waiting,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach. “Companies are investing, seeking partners and want to deploy available technologies more quickly. This drive to shape the future is crucial, particularly in the face of geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties. SMM brings together the key players who can jointly drive solutions forward.”
Maritime security and defence will remain on the agenda in Hamburg in 2027: the next MS&D Conference & Expo will take place on 8 and 9 December 2027 – alongside the Global Security and Defence Summit (GSIS) at the CCH – Congress Centre Hamburg.
Over 50,000 attendees for the first time
With more than 50,000 attendees, SMM 2026 recorded record attendance. People from 134 nations came to Hamburg over the four days of the exhibition. Around 2,300 exhibiting companies from 66 countries presented their solutions across more than 90,000 m2 in twelve halls. According to HMC, over 70 per cent of the exhibitors came from abroad. The next SMM will take place in Hamburg from 5 to 8 September 2028.
