The 27th SMM in Hamburg will be larger than ever before. This year the exhibitors get 3,500 m2 additional space to present their products in a new hall. Nevertheless the worlds biggest martime event was fully booked months in advance, as it was in record year 2014
Another piece of good news for the organisators Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) is that this year’s SMM will be[ds_preview] more international than ever before; only about one third of exhibitors come from Germany, and two-thirds from abroad – a new record. HMC is especially pleased that this year for the first time Iran, Malaysia and Greece will attend, each with their own national pavilion. And Singapore is also back again this year.
Digitalisation is a key theme for the whole maritime fair. Exhibitors in all halls present their developments in digitalisation and Big Data. The Maritime Future Summit will be held on 5 September, the day before the opening of the SMM, with software experts and managers of leading manufacturers of propulsion systems discussing the impact of Smart Shipping and Big Data on tomorrow’s shipping. The event is hosted in cooperation with HANSA – International Maritime Journal.
Another key subject at this year’s SMM in Hamburg is Green Propulsion. The new Hall A5 has been set up to provide 3,500 m2 of additional exhibition area exclusively for highlighting innovative ship propulsion technologies.
The same applies to the conference programme, with leading industry experts. Alongside the Maritime Future Summit, this year again the gmec – global maritime environmental congress – is to be hosted on 6 September.
Increasing efficiency, saving resources – this year’s gmec puts the focus on alternative propulsion systems, digital transport control and refined measurement electronics. The pressure on the industry is tremendous. On the one hand, the tough situation in the market forces shipping companies to keep the prices for their services at competitive levels, which mainly means that they have to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. On the other hand, ever stricter international standards require investments in environmental technologies. And customers also expect the companies to demonstrate sustainable management – that is why Green Propulsion is a major focus at SMM. The importance of this subject is also evident from the presence of leading international experts who have accepted the invitation to speak at gmec. All of them will adress three key issues – Harmful Air Emissions, Big Data, and Alternative Energy. Speakers include Arsenio A. Dominguez from IMO, Martin Stopford from Clarksons Research, Tom Boardley from Lloyd’s Register, and Oskar Levander from Rolls Royce Marine.
One day later, the focus will be on security and defence, with MS&D – international conference on maritime security and defence. Once again, high-ranking delegations from industry and from navies from all parts of the world will be discussing the requirements for modern security forces, and the defence scenarios of tomorrow.
Protecting peace, fighting piracy and drug trafficking, guiding merchant vessels safely to their destinations: The range of responsibilities for navies and coast guards has changed significantly. At MS&D, held on 7 September, the opportunities and risks resulting from recent developments will be discussed under the heading of »Naval Technology for Naval Operations«. »With forward-looking topics, highly distinguished speakers, and compelling discussions, MS&D will address an enormous range of subjects. Conference participants will be able to see clearly »where the market is headed,« says Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of HMC. The list of speakers includes high-ranking naval officers from around the world as well as industry representatives. The conference will be subdivided into a plenary session and two panel discussions titled »Naval Operations« and »Naval Technology«.
The Offshore Dialogue on 8 September features leading speakers from the international maritime industry, the scientific community, universities and government organisations. The event is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The program includes subjects such as the relevance of the human factor, with a focus on health, safety and the environment.
The Maritime Career Market – a stand-alone event without conference character – covers a new aspect of the industry and brings together skilled workers and potential employers in the maritime industries. Promotion of young talents and increased employment of women in the industries will also be important here. Women are a major focus at the Maritime Career Market held at SMM on 9 September.
More women in the shipping sector
Women have played only a minor role in shipping, shipbuilding and related areas up to the present. But the decision makers in the industries are beginning to recognise their potential in view of the current shortage of skilled people. Shipbuilding companies, equipment suppliers and port companies are feeling the demographic change and desperately seeking skilled workers, executives and young talents – and that is precisely where women come in. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has recognised the importance of this subject and set a clear signal – the recently adopted National Ports Concept explicitly recognises as an ongoing task the need to »increase the percentage of women employed at ports.«
The Maritime Career Market is intended to help women in their vocational development – it is a very good sign that this subject is being addressed at an industry fair which is more aimed at technical matters,” says Dagmar Klenk, President of WISTA Germany. The organisation has been engaged for more than 40 years in women’s international networking in the maritime industries. If it goes well, she adds, the Maritime Career Market could become a fantastic cooperation opportunity for the women and companies concerned.
All in all, trade visitors at SMM 2016 will find some 150 programme items, including a large number of workshops, symposia and presentations. This range of events is unmatched in the maritime world.
The innovations of the exhibitors are traditionally very much a focus of SMM. But this industry fair is also constantly reinventing itself. An example of this are the »exhibition routes«, a method that should help visitors find their way around the exhibition halls. In keeping with the conferences and focal areas at SMM 2016, there will be a Job Route, a Digital Route, a Green Route and a Security Route.
RD
