SMM 2026 Concludes with Maritime Security as Dominant Industry Concern

SMM 2026, the maritime trade fair, recently concluded in Hamburg, with maritime security and resilient supply chains identified as dominant issues for the industry. The four-day event brought together shipping companies, shipyards, suppliers, technology firms, navies, and international organisations to discuss investment, new technologies, and partnerships.

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, noted that the industry showed a strong determination to shape its future, with companies investing, seeking solutions, and building partnerships despite geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties. He also highlighted a clear demand for faster deployment of available technologies.

Security and Resilience in Focus

The growing importance of maritime security was particularly evident in the new Naval Hall B8. The MS&D Conference & Expo and the Naval Stage hosted international navies, defence companies, and maritime suppliers. Discussions focused on unmanned systems, sensors, cybersecurity, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

Klaus Deleroi, Managing Director of REINTJES, stated that while decarbonisation remains important, safety at sea and the protection of sea lanes are currently the top priorities. He emphasised the need for rapid deployment of ships and significantly shorter procurement processes, noting that many required products and technologies already exist. Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, in his final public appearance as Chief of the German Navy, advocated for greater operational readiness, expedited procurement, and increased use of unmanned systems, stressing the importance of acquiring proven solutions quickly.

Rear Admiral Christian Bock, Head of the Bundeswehr Innovation Center, underscored the role of SMM and MS&D in identifying new technologies early and accelerating their operational deployment. The Offshore Dialogue also addressed the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, featuring discussions on technological and operational solutions.

Decarbonisation and AI Applications

Decarbonisation and energy efficiency remain significant challenges for the industry. With regulatory conditions and future fuel options still uncertain, the focus is shifting to deployable technologies that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions today. The new Energy Efficiency Hub showcased solutions from 24 companies, including wind propulsion and alternative technologies, as well as measures for optimising existing fleets.

Ada Ak, Sales Engineer at BAR Technologies, observed that discussions have become more specific, with shipping companies actively seeking solutions to improve fleet efficiency, including exploring wind propulsion. The Global Maritime Environmental Congress (gmec) also highlighted the industry's commitment to decarbonisation, focusing on collaboration across the maritime value chain and the potential of Green Shipping Corridors.

In digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), conversations at SMM moved from theoretical potential to specific applications. These included fleet optimisation, predictive maintenance, autonomous systems, and AI-based situational awareness. Patrick Haebig, Senior Sales Manager EMEA North at SEA.AI, noted a higher quality of discussions this year, with customers asking less about AI's potential and more about ready-to-use solutions like collision avoidance. The Maritime Future Summit explored where AI can add value in operations and its limitations, particularly concerning safety-critical applications, certification, liability, and the traceability of AI-based decisions. Michael Meyer, moderator of the Maritime Future Summit, highlighted that the interaction between artificial intelligence and human intelligence is crucial for industry advancement.