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2014-10-01

RECORD TURNOUT FOR SMM

With more than 2,100 exhibitors from around the world, including 150 first-timers, 50,000 industry visitors and roughly 90,000 square metres of space, SMM has again demonstrated why it is the leading international maritime industry trade fair. Dubai took space at SMM, was particularly prominent at the event, and has pronounced the venture a major success.

“We set new records this year,” said Bernd Aufderheide, CEO and President of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH.

The excellent turnout not only showed that companies are ready to meet the current challenges with determination, but it also revealed a growing appreciation for collaboration, he said.

“This fair generates ideas and fresh impetus for the maritime industry and it is a perfect platform for networking, inspiring each other and negotiating deals. It sends a positive, encouraging signal to the maritime community,” said Aufderheide. The industry’s top event again took place under the patronage of the German Chancellor, Dr Angela Merkel.

The Hamburg Association of Ship Engineers (VSIH), the originator and inspirational authority behind SMM, was present at the fair.

“The engineers organised in the VSIH traditionally embrace innovation in ship operation. What has made SMM the grand event it is today has been its international character and its ability to integrate all nations,” said VSIH Chairman Jürgen Witte, alluding to the four “I’s” of the fair’s guiding principles: Identification, Integration, Internationality and Innovation.

The Innovation topic featured prominently on the agenda of this year’s SMM, which presented the entire bandwidth of maritime innovation. The exhibits covered a wide spectrum, from large-scale ship engineering and shipbuilding products to ship outfitting and equipment supplies, and from cargo handling systems and maritime technologies to specialised services.

Global reach

With its 26 national pavilions and exhibitors from 67 different countries, this year’s fair was more international than ever. Two thirds of exhibitors hailed from countries other than Germany. For the first time, firms from Egypt, Lebanon and Sri Lanka showcased their maritime products and services, and Dubai set up its first-ever pavilion.

Indeed, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s pavilion, representing more than 20 companies, bustled with activity. “Our fair visit is a total success. This fair is extremely well organised. We have learned a lot at this event and are returning home with a long list of new contacts,” said Khamis Juma Buamin, Group Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks World and Maritime World.

The Asian market was also well-represented. For example, South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samha Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding, Hanju Heavy Industries & Construct Co. and Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (Koshipa) had staffed a joint booth which attested to the country’s far-ranging capabilities. “For us as Asian shipbuilders, SMM is an event we cannot miss.

This is where we meet up with our European customers, build relationships and generate new business,” said Hyoung-Won Hahm, Deputy General Manager of HHI.

The booth of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri attracted plenty of attention with its generously-sized displays of fascinating ship models to a scale of 1:150, including models of a FREMM class frigate, the cruise ship “Carnival Sunshine” of Carnival Cruise Lines, and the 133 metre yacht “Serene”.

Shipbuilding nation

Germany was, of course, prominent. “German shipowners and operators are a key target group of this fair. With billions invested in state-of-the-art technology for both newbuilds and ships in service they have made Germany the world’s third largest shipping nation. This benefits German suppliers and developers in particular,” said Ralf Nagel, Managing President of the German shipowners’ association, VDR.

German ingenuity was palpable in all of the exhibition halls. In keeping with the motto “Networked thinking, networked actions”, the German Engineering Federation VDMA presented a new version of “German Marine Equipment”, an online manufacturer catalogue of all German companies of the supply segment. “It is our goal to bring the cumulative competence of German companies closer to international customers,” said Dr Jörg Mutschler, Managing Director of VDMA.

“The focused yet familiar atmosphere among the exhibitors and customers and the high quality of the exhibitors are trademarks of the Hamburg fair. The reason for this is the fact that this fair has grown steadily over the years. This is why SMM is always going to be the leading international trade fair of the maritime industry.”

“SMM 2014 set new participation records, with a host of innovative products demonstrating the high level of the technological development work done by this industry,” said Dr Reinhard Lüken, General Managing Director of the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM). In particular, the exhibits of German shipbuilding and maritime technology companies are indicative of the exceptional competence of Germany’s maritime industry, he added.

High levels of visitor satisfaction

Not only the exhibitors were enthusiastic about the fair, the visitors likewise expressed their satisfaction. According to an independent survey, 96 per cent of responding visitors said they found the fair “good” or “very good”. 94 per cent said they would gladly recommend SMM.

Great Success

This year again, the fair provided an ideal backdrop for signing business deals. A major contract was signed by Peter Fetten (Carnival) and Blohm+Voss Repair CEO Jan-Kees Pilaar at the booth of B+V. With 92,000 employees, EUR 13bn. in annual sales and 101 dream ships, Carnival Corporation, Miami (USA) is the world’s largest cruiseship operator. Carnival is going to have its entire Europe fleet, including the Club vessels of Aida Cruises, Costa Crociere, Cunard Line and P&O Cruises, among others, repaired and upgraded exclusively by Blohm+Voss.

MAN Diesel &Turbo SE signed a new licence agreement with Qingdao Haixi Marine Diesel, enabling the company to better serve its customers in the important northern Chinese market.

The protection of the marine environment and the improvement of ship efficiency were among the top items on the SMM agenda.

“The shipping industry, working closely together with shipbuilders and suppliers, continues to devote considerable resources and capital to the development and implementation of a wide range of new technologies that protect air and water quality and increase energy efficiency. SMM again gave tangible evidence of the range of modern technology,” said MAN Diesel & Turbo CEO Dr Stephan Timmermann.

Raytheon Anschütz, a world-leading manufacturer of navigation systems, announced during the fair that it will supply a new generation of its integrated navigation system (INS) “Synapsis” for two new chemical and product tankers, among other ships. The 50,000 dwt tankers are being built at the Croatian shipyard “3 May” for Spanish shipowner Marflet Marine. Furthermore, the company showcased its newly-developed NautoScan NX radar sensors, the core element of the new Synapsis generation.

“Real-time digital processing of the radar signals and the innovative way the signals are generated enhance the security of crews, passengers, the environment and coast lines,” said Dr Lüder Hogrefe, CEO of Raytheon Anschütz.

Among the highlights at the L-3 Stand were live presentations of the advanced navigation system NACOS Platinum along with a ship simulator with three large-sized screens, which attracted much attention. “

SKF Blohm + Voss Industries likewise used SMM to launch newly-developed eco-friendly products. Apart from a GPS-controlled environmental surveillance system, the company, a subsidiary of SKF, had brought along an environmentally compatible stern tube sealing solution and a water/oil separator solution for lube oil.

“Every two years SMM comes as a highlight in our business year. No other meeting place of our industry is as intimate as this fair.

It is here we like to introduce our innovative solutions to the market. This year we had an especially wide range of innovations to offer. We are very satisfied with the response,” said CEO Martin Johannsmann.

Focus on LNG

One of the key topics of this year’s SMM was LNG as a ship fuel. The demand for LNG technology concepts is strong. Wärtsilä, one of the leading manufacturers of ship engines, has been promoting more efficient ship propulsion systems for years.

“Now we reap the benefits. More efficient engines are today a major trend across the shipping industry,” said CEO Björn Rosengren. Much experience has been gained already with land-based power generation systems. Now it is time for the shipping sector to embrace natural gas, he said.

“By January 1 next year at the latest, when stricter emission limits come into force for the North and Baltic Seas, this topic will be on top of the agenda,” said Rosengren. “Today roughly 50 LNG-driven ships are sailing the world’s oceans. By 2020 there might be 1,300.”

Organisers said roughly one-third of this year’s participants are already planning for the next SMM from September 6-9 2016.

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