Maritime industry turns to efficiency, digitalisation and resilience amid changing global conditions

Industry representatives highlight technology, collaboration and port infrastructure as key factors shaping maritime competitiveness

The maritime industry is facing a combination of geopolitical uncertainty, decarbonisation requirements, digitalisation and rising energy-efficiency demands that are changing how ships, ports and maritime supply chains operate.

The issues were discussed at a joint press conference in Hamburg for SMM 2026, MS&D Conference & Expo and ALL ABOUT PORTS. Representatives from shipping, shipbuilding, maritime equipment, ports and classification organisations examined the challenges facing the sector and the role of technology and collaboration in addressing them.

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, said: “The most exciting developments are currently emerging not within individual sectors, but at the intersections between them. It is there that we can see how the maritime industry is changing – and where it is heading. With SMM, MS&D Conference & Expo and ALL ABOUT PORTS, we are creating the framework in Hamburg to discuss these developments from different perspectives.”

Ports take on broader strategic role

The role of ports is expanding beyond cargo handling as energy transition, digital infrastructure, supply chain resilience and maritime security become increasingly interconnected.

ALL ABOUT PORTS will address subjects including the role of ports in the energy transition, critical infrastructure protection, digitalisation and automation, resilient supply chains and sustainable port development.

Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and patron of ALL ABOUT PORTS, said: “Ports are no longer just places where ships load and unload cargo. They are becoming central hubs for energy, infrastructure, logistics and increasingly also for data and security. As strategic nodes where economic competitiveness, energy security, digital infrastructure and defence readiness intersect, ports must become more resilient, more connected and more innovative than ever before.”

SMM will focus on broader developments affecting shipping and the maritime industry, while MS&D Conference & Expo will address maritime security and defence.

Shipbuilding faces growing technology requirements

The pressure to reduce emissions and improve vessel efficiency is increasing alongside demand for digitalised and automated operations.

Dr Reinhard Lüken, Chief Executive Officer of the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM), said: “Geopolitics are reshaping the maritime industry. New markets, new technologies – for the industry these are exciting times! Our technological edge here in Germany and Europe gives us huge opportunities for strong growth here and elsewhere. SMM is the place to watch it happen and be part of it,”

According to Lüken, alternative propulsion, digital ship operations, automation, artificial intelligence and cyber resilience are becoming increasingly important areas for shipbuilding. He also identified competitiveness, technological sovereignty and innovation capacity as key considerations for Europe’s maritime industry.

Energy efficiency becomes a commercial consideration

Energy efficiency is increasingly being treated as both an environmental and operational issue. Digital applications, automation and data-driven systems can help vessel operators optimise fleet performance while managing operating costs.

Hauke Schlegel, Managing Director of VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems, said: “The maritime industry is entering a period of profound technological change. Energy efficiency, digitalisation and automation are fundamentally transforming shipping and shipbuilding. At the same time, pressure is mounting to bring sustainable and high-performance solutions to market more quickly. The technologies required are too complex and the challenges too great for individual companies or regions to tackle alone. Progress depends on international collaboration, the exchange of expertise and the joint development of new solutions.”

Schlegel said maritime equipment suppliers have a role in connecting technology development with system integration and industrial implementation. International industry platforms can support the exchange of expertise and help move technologies from development towards commercial deployment.

Regulation and geopolitics influence fleet decisions

Geopolitical developments, regulatory changes and technological developments are also affecting investment and fleet strategies.

Rasmus Stute, Vice President and Area Manager Germany at DNV Maritime, said: “SMM comes at a very interesting time for the industry. We have seen first-hand the huge impact geopolitics can have on shipping – both on the commercial side and on the global regulatory order. On the regulatory front, this looks more like a speed bump than a brick wall, but it emphasises the importance of building flexibility into the decisions being made today. SMM is where the industry comes together to work through exactly these questions – and that makes Hamburg in September more important than ever,”

Shipowners are managing a growing range of regulatory requirements while assessing investments in energy efficiency, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Classification societies are involved in assessing the safety and implementation of new technologies as these solutions move into operational use.

Supply chain resilience gains importance

For shipowners, geopolitical disruptions have reinforced the importance of maintaining reliable and flexible supply chains.

Silke Lehmköster, Managing Director Fleet at Hapag-Lloyd AG, said: “From a shipowner’s perspective, innovation only creates value when it works in everyday operations. The technologies we need must improve efficiency, strengthen safety and support commercially sustainable decarbonisation. They should also make life and work on board easier for seafarers, who ultimately operate these systems every day. At the same time, recent geopolitical developments have shown that resilience has become a key competitive factor for global supply chains. This makes collaboration across the maritime industry more important than ever,”

Recent disruptions to major trade routes have highlighted the relationship between maritime security, commercial performance and supply chain continuity. For shipping companies, this is increasing the importance of operational flexibility and technologies that can deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and safety.

Maritime challenges increasingly interconnected

The discussions highlighted the convergence of several issues affecting shipping and maritime infrastructure. Energy efficiency, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, alternative propulsion, cybersecurity, maritime security and port infrastructure are increasingly influencing one another.

As the industry moves towards lower-emission operations, companies must also account for changing regulations, geopolitical risks, technology requirements and commercial pressures. This is placing greater emphasis on cooperation between shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, classification societies and other stakeholders across the maritime value chain.