SMM 2026 expands international participation with 26 national pavilions

India, Brazil, Cyprus and Vietnam among countries increasing their official presence at the Hamburg maritime trade fair

SMM 2026 is set to feature increased international participation, with 26 national pavilions, 11 countries exhibiting for the first time and new official country representations from India, Brazil, Cyprus and Vietnam.

The maritime trade fair will bring together companies, government representatives, industry associations and maritime organisations from established shipping nations and emerging markets in Hamburg from 1 to 4 September 2026.

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Technology at Hamburg Messe und Congress, said: “SMM is more than ever the central meeting place for the maritime industry. Companies, associations and governments use the world’s leading maritime trade fair to jointly develop responses to the challenges facing the industry. The growing international participation shows that face-to-face exchange across national borders is more important than ever.”

India expands presence at SMM 2026

India will increase its presence at SMM 2026 through two official joint pavilions organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Indian Ports Association.

The pavilions will be located in Hall B3.OG and the Naval Hall B8. Around 35 Indian exhibitors are expected to participate, including Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Buoyancy Consultants & Engineering, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, Vedam Design & Technical Consultancy, Marine Electricals (India) Limited and Synergy Shipbuilders N Dock Works Ltd.

India will also feature in the SMM conference programme. Shri Vijay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is scheduled to participate in the Official Opening Conference with the session “India Perspective: Global Maritime Growth & Connectivity”.

Another session, “The India Opportunity: Investing in Shipbuilding & Shipping Clusters”, will examine investment opportunities in Indian shipbuilding, maritime clusters and international cooperation.

In the Naval Hall, the Indian Ports Association, Cochin Shipyard and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers will present their capabilities.

India will also participate in ALL ABOUT PORTS, where Shri Vijay Kumar is scheduled to take part in the official opening. A dedicated Indian session will examine the development of Indian ports as technology-enabled and sustainable logistics hubs.

Brazil and Cyprus launch official national pavilions

Brazil will have an official national pavilion at SMM for the first time. The pavilion is being organised by the Brazilian Association of Companies of the Blue Economy (ABEEMAR) and will include companies such as Flexprin Industria and Diesel Line.

Cyprus will also establish its first official national pavilion at SMM. The pavilion is being organised by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus in cooperation with the Shipping Deputy Ministry and the Cyprus Trade Centre in Berlin.

Ten companies and government and maritime institutions will be represented, covering maritime services, ship repair, technical equipment, communications, automation, artificial intelligence, research and classification.

Participants include the Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI), Tototheo Maritime, Multimarine Services and the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

The programme will include a “Cyprus Maritime Innovation Event”, featuring presentations and a panel discussion focused on maritime innovation, technology and market opportunities.

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus said: “Cyprus’ first official national pavilion at SMM Hamburg 2026 marks an important milestone for our maritime industry, showcasing the strength, expertise and global competitiveness of the Cyprus maritime cluster. Through our participation, we aim to reaffirm Cyprus’ commitment to quality, innovation and international cooperation. Cyprus offers a stable and attractive environment for international shipping companies supported by a business-friendly regulatory framework, a competitive and transparent tonnage tax system and a proactive maritime administration.”

Vietnam joins official country representation

Vietnam will be officially represented at SMM for the first time by the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Association (VISIA).

VISIA will also participate in the conference programme through the Open Stage session “Digital Engineering Partnerships: Expanding Global Shipbuilding Capacity”, which will address developments in Vietnam’s shipbuilding sector and international partnerships.

Companies from Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Andorra, the Bahamas, the Slovak Republic, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Curaçao will also exhibit at SMM for the first time.

China, South Korea and Japan increase participation

South Korea is expanding its presence at the event, with exhibitors including Korean Register, Panasia, Bosung Engineering, Daeyang Electric and Kangrim Heavy Industries.

China remains the largest international country representation at SMM and is further increasing its presence in 2026.

A new China-Europe Maritime Summit will be held as part of the programme. The event is being jointly organised by the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) and DNV.

The summit will bring representatives from Chinese and European maritime industries together to discuss industrial cooperation, technological development and maritime transformation.

Japan will also expand its participation, including through a joint stand organised by the Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association (JSMEA).

European participation also increases

France is recording one of the strongest increases among SMM’s top 20 exhibiting countries.

Austria, Spain, Norway and the Netherlands are also expected to have larger representations compared with the previous edition.

The increased participation reflects the presence of both established European maritime markets and emerging shipbuilding and shipping economies at the event.

Government and maritime delegations expected

Alongside exhibitors, SMM 2026 is expected to attract government, naval, coast guard and business delegations.

Announced naval and government delegations include representatives from Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Finland, France, Ghana, the United Kingdom, India, Qatar, Korea, Romania, Spain and Türkiye.

Business delegations are expected from organisations including the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the China Shipowners Association and the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders (CAJS). Additional delegations are expected from China, India and Colombia.

Jie Chen, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, is also expected to attend SMM. His visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Hamburg and Shanghai. An official evening reception will mark the anniversary and the maritime and economic relationship between the two cities.