SMM 2026 Opens in Hamburg With Focus on Maritime Security, Resilience and Decarbonisation

SMM 2026 has opened in Hamburg with maritime security, supply-chain resilience, decarbonisation, digitalisation and competitiveness emerging as key themes for the global maritime industry.

Political leaders, maritime executives and representatives of international organisations discussed how the shipping and shipbuilding sectors are responding to geopolitical tensions, strategic dependencies, regulatory uncertainty and technological developments.

Hamburg Messe und Congress CEO Heiko M. Stutzinger, together with fellow CEO Uwe Fischer, welcomed participants at the opening. Stutzinger said: “Internationality, innovation and an unparalleled wealth of information: SMM is and remains the driving force shaping the maritime future.”

Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Dr Melanie Leonhard, highlighted Hamburg’s position as a European gateway for trade, energy and data, while stressing the importance of secure and resilient maritime infrastructure.

SMM 2026 is expected to attract around 2,300 exhibitors from up to 70 countries and 50,000 participants from 120 nations. The event covers more than 90,000 square metres across 12 exhibition halls, with the exhibition grounds fully booked.

Maritime security takes centre stage

Protection of critical maritime infrastructure and growing strategic dependencies were among the main issues discussed during the opening.

Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport, and Emma Salisbury, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Associate Fellow at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre, addressed the importance of international cooperation in responding to emerging maritime threats.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Group President and CEO at DNV, highlighted the range of uncertainties currently affecting shipping, including technological developments, regulation, energy and geopolitics.

“Shipping is navigating a period of significant uncertainty, with technology, regulation, energy, and not least geopolitics all evolving at the same time. The companies that succeed will be those that remain adaptable to face these uncertainties.”

Ørbeck-Nilssen also pointed to nuclear energy as a potential element of the maritime energy transition, particularly through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), while noting the growing involvement of technology companies in their development.

Maritime security and defence have been given a dedicated platform at SMM 2026 through the new Naval Hall B8. The programme also includes the Naval Stage, MS&D Conference & Expo, international naval delegations and companies operating in the naval sector.

India outlines long-term maritime growth strategy

India featured prominently in discussions around shipbuilding, investment and international cooperation.

Shri Vijay Kumar, Secretary at India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, outlined the country’s long-term maritime development strategy during his keynote address. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 envisages significant investment in the maritime sector, alongside efforts to attract international investment, develop technology partnerships and strengthen industrial cooperation with Europe.

India’s growing presence in the global maritime industry is also reflected at SMM 2026, where the country is participating with its own national pavilion for the first time.

European shipbuilding faces competitive pressures

The opening discussions also examined the competitive position of Europe’s maritime and shipbuilding industries amid continued competition from Asia.

Anu Ahola, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Meyer Turku, said:

“Europe can remain competitive, if we choose our battles and are ready to protect. The unpleasant new world order forces the European maritime ecosystem to renew itself.”

Dr Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), linked the competitiveness of European shipping with the continent’s wider economic and security interests.

“Europe’s resilience depends on a strong and internationally competitive shipping sector. European shipowners connect our industry to global markets, secure supply chains and provide essential maritime capacity in times of crisis. We therefore need a regulatory framework that enables investment and decarbonization without driving companies, vessels and expertise out of Europe. Keeping shipping competitive in Europe is a strategic necessity for Europe.”

European maritime companies are facing competitive pressure while also managing the investment and regulatory requirements associated with the transition towards lower-carbon shipping.

Industry seeks globally aligned maritime regulations

The need for consistent international maritime regulations was another major theme at the opening.

John Denholm, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said fragmented regulatory approaches could make it more difficult to strengthen resilience across the global shipping sector.

“Shipping is a global industry, the rules and regulations that govern our industry must also be global. We cannot build a resilient maritime industry on a patchwork of national and regional regulation.”

Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO of Everllence, highlighted the gap between available maritime decarbonisation technologies and regulatory certainty.

“Maritime security, resilience and AI may dominate today’s agenda, but shipping’s decarbonization remains our obligation. The technology is ready. What we need now is a credible IMO Net-Zero Framework that creates certainty for investment and rewards decarbonization. Every delay favors fossil fuels over climate-neutral alternatives. The gap is no longer technological, it is political.”

The industry continues to await greater clarity on the international regulatory framework as companies assess future investments in ships, fuels and technologies.

IMO highlights decarbonisation and seafarer safety

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) remains central to establishing the global regulatory framework for shipping’s transition towards the net-zero target by 2050.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said alternative fuels, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation could become important drivers of industrial development and competitiveness.

He also placed the safety of seafarers at the centre of the maritime security debate.

“Secure sea lanes are essential for global trade, but first and foremost this is about protecting people. Seafarers must be able to do their jobs without risking their lives.”

Dominguez then officially opened SMM 2026.

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, said the opening discussions highlighted the interconnected nature of the sector’s major challenges.

“The discussions at the opening show that decarbonisation, digitalisation, security and resilience can no longer be viewed as separate challenges but must be addressed together. SMM brings together the decision-makers who are shaping this transformation and determining the future of the maritime industry.”

SMM 2026 programme continues through September 4

The issues raised during the opening will remain central to discussions throughout the four-day event. Alongside around 2,300 exhibitors, SMM 2026 features five stages and five specialist conferences covering developments across the maritime sector.

Parallel events ALL ABOUT PORTS and LogiNext Germany, taking place at the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, extend the programme to port operations and digital logistics.