SMM 2022

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SMM Hamburg returns in 2022 from 6th to the 9th of September. Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress, Claus Ulrich Selbach, chatted with Phil Nicholls about the forthcoming fair.

Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress, Claus Ulrich Selbach

Digital transformation within the marine industry will be a big focus of this year’s event. What were the factors behind choosing this as a key area? How do you ensure that your topics reflect the current demand of the industry?

As the leading maritime trade fair, we have an extensive and multi-faceted industry network across the globe which allows us to follow the market dynamics closely. We constantly talk to our partners, exhibitors, and visitors about their needs, interests, and expectations for SMM.

One key issue is the digital transformation in the maritime industry. This is nothing new and has been a fixed component of SMM for years now. This year, we will take a closer look at all the digital innovations and solutions which can help the shipping industry become greener in the next couple of years.

SMM 2022 promises to drive the maritime energy transition. Can you share how the event’s Transition Stages will facilitate this process?

Our new Transition Stages will be the perfect meeting places for all the industry experts who want to drive the transition of the maritime industry.

In addition to our conferences, and in parallel on three stages at the exhibition area, stage partners and exhibitors will present innovative concepts and solutions on central topics of SMM 2022.

The Green Transition Stage in Hall A4 presents alternative propulsion and environmental technologies to reduce emissions, The Digital Transition Stage in Hall B6 features digitalisation in the maritime industry, and The Marine Interiors Stage in Hall B5 focuses on interior design, equipment, and technology for passenger ships.

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Another new feature for 2022 is the Start-up Route. What can you tell us about this aspect of the event? How popular is this area in terms of number of exhibitors booked and sectors represented?

As the name itself says, the Start-up Route guides visitors to entrepreneurs in the maritime industry which present their smart and innovative concepts at one of the Start-ups@SMM joint stand areas. There will be a special icon identifying the Start-up Route as well as the participating companies in the online exhibitor directory, the visitor guide, and the app.

So far, the feedback to the new Start-up Route has been great. Whilst I can’t give you exact details yet, you can be sure that there will be lots of interesting start-ups to discover.

2022 marks the 30th SMM. How are you celebrating this milestone?

We will celebrate the 30th edition of SMM together with our international friends and partners in various online and offline events. Let us surprise you!

What visitor and exhibitor numbers are you targeting this year? Is there any room to grow, especially in terms of number of exhibitors?

We are expecting 2,000 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors from more than 100 nations. Due to the pandemic, there is no room to grow this year. But I’m sure there will be in 2024.

Honestly speaking, we are quite happy with what we have got already – especially in times of the pandemic where it won’t be possible to welcome all markets, such as from China. But we are hoping to increase the number of industry players from across the maritime supply chain that can make it to Hamburg this year.

With so many global exhibitions available to companies, why do you feel that SMM is so successful in attracting the world’s biggest companies? What benefits do these companies get from exhibiting at SMM?

There is just nothing that compares to SMM. Here you can meet all your business partners, customers, and friends from all over the world at one place within a short time span of four days. It saves so many trips and phone or video calls. It is the personal interaction that exhibitors and visitors are longing for most these days. SMM will be the first opportunity in 2022 to meet again in a very international atmosphere.

We will reflect the whole supply chain of the maritime industry –in both the 11 exhibition halls and our highly-ranked conference programme. In addition, there will be many possibilities to chat in a relaxed atmosphere or to even take a break in our beautiful park directly next to our halls or in our daily ‘wine o’clock’ social events.

Besides the fact that we will offer all of the industries’ solutions, innovations and inspiration, it is important to us that our exhibitors and visitors will have a good time at SMM. There will be several networking events so that each and every one can make the most of their participation. Especially in times like these where everything seems to be in constant change, where there are so many conflicts and crises in the world, we would like to make a small contribution by focusing not only on business but also on interpersonal exchange.

Excitement builds as September’s return of SMM is just over the horizon

6-9 Sept 2022 - Hamburg

Please can you tell me more about your conference programme – who do you have lined up to speak and what topics are high on the agenda?

There are so many great speakers and topics that I can’t sum it up in just a few words. All the details can be found on our website. To put it in a nutshell, all five conferences cover topics that are high on the industry agenda.

The Maritime Future Summit (5 September) focuses on the ‘Next Phase of the Digital Transformation’, especially on smart alliances and evolving multidisciplinary solutions. Gmec – the global maritime environmental congress (7 September) - addresses the shipping industry’s part in tackling the growing climate crisis. MS &D, the international conference on maritime security and defence (8-9 September), will discuss the industry‘s and navies’ security transition – from future military and non-military threats to artificial intelligence for global as well as regional maritime security.

MS&D’s title this year is: Secure your position: Protecting the seven seas. Experts will discuss how navies and the maritime industry can prepare for security issues such as future military and non-military threats or technological developments of manned and unmanned platforms as parts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The Offshore Dialogue (8 September) will discuss innovative maritime technologies for monitoring climate change processes in the oceans as well as opportunities offered by digitalisation to achieve our climate targets. Finally, the motto of the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum (6 September) is “Phoenix rise – Rebound prospects for containers and shipyards.”

What do you consider to be the main industry challenges for 2022 and the upcoming years? How far do events such as SMM go in helping companies overcome such difficulties?

Of course, I do not have as much expertise as all the stakeholders who will present at SMM, but it’s clear that it will take many innovations, discussions, and negotiations to fulfil the industry's own set goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. All sectors agree on the fact that everything must be done to make shipping greener, to slow down climate change, with alternative energy sources or propulsion solutions.

But the energy transition costs the industry a lot of money, and it takes a lot of expertise and concrete product solutions. Now, the demand in the industry, as in other industries, exceeds what the market can offer. So that might be one of the main challenges

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in 2022 and the coming years. I’m sure your readers will find some of the many ideas and answers to this huge challenge at SMM in September.

For those who may be new to the event this year, and may be visiting Hamburg for the first time this September, what advice would you give? What can they expect from their trip to Hamburg and SMM? Is there anything not covered by the above questions that you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you so much for all your questions, Phil. I think we spoke about everything that will be key at SMM. On a personal note, let me express how much I am looking forward to meeting all the friends of SMM in Hamburg from 6-9 September. Let’s cross our fingers that everything can take place as currently planned! n

Hamburg is always worth a trip. There is so much to discover in our beautiful city. The good thing is that SMM takes place in the heart of Hamburg – all the places worth visiting are just a few minutes away. I advise your readers to have a closer look at our homepage for more information: https: //www.smm-hamburg.com/en/infos/travel/hamburg.

Latest news in the marine industry

APM Terminals Mobile to expand by 32 acres

APM Terminals Mobile has signed an agreement with the Alabama State Port Authority to add 32 acres to the current 134 acre container terminal yard to keep pace with future demand, creating one million TEU throughput capacity that is approved to handle 14,000 TEU ships. This represents the third expansion in the last six years as importers expand their volumes to meet regional consumer demand and tap into rail service to the Midwest US market.

The $104 million terminal expansion will begin later this year. The first 19 acres are expected to be completed in 2023 and the remaining 13 acres by early 2025. As part of the expansion, APM Terminals will purchase two, new super post-panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes and related support equipment (such as trucks, landing chassis/container carriers) for crane operations which will complement the current four gantry cranes.

In 2020, the berth was expanded to allow two x 8,000 TEU vessels alongside. The US Army Corps of Engineers is currently dredging the Mobile Harbor channel to reach 50 feet by late 2024.

APM Terminals Mobile now ranks as the second largest US Gulf port of container imports. April 2022 container volumes through the port showed a 39.7% increase over April 2021 volumes. The port’s intermodal container transfer facility posted 112.6% growth during the same period. Refrigerated cargo also maintained its double-digit growth, posting a 57.9% gain over the same period.

“Supply chain leaders are looking to expand their routing options in 2022 to add more flexibility and fulfillment speed to serve consumer demand. We’re working with customers to deliver high port productivity, more port space and more inland logistics connectivity to address the market demand,” said Brian Harold, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mobile.

Sealand – A Maersk Company has added a new service called the Bonita Express with the inaugural call at APM Terminals Mobile on May 18th. The new, direct all-water service links Mobile to the key Central American ports of Puerto Cortes in Honduras and Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala (with connectivity to multiple inland locations including to/from Nicaragua and El Salvador).

Cemre Shipyard to build first methanol-fuelled SOV for ESVAGT

Turkish shipbuilder Cemre Shipyard will build the world’s first service operation vessel that can operate on green fuels for ESVAGT, the Danish provider of emergency rescue and response vessels.

The design of the vessel has been developed by the Norwegian design company HAV Design in cooperation with ESVAGT, and the vessel will be the third turnkey project Cemre has built for ESVAGT.

According to a statement by Cemre Shipyard, “This pioneering project will change the path of the offshore wind service and support the market to reach carbon neutral and environmentally friendly solutions.”

The SOV will be powered by batteries and dual fuel and pure methanol engines, capable of sailing on renewable e-methanol, produced from wind energy and biogenic carbon, which will lead to a yearly emission reduction of approximately 4,500 tonnes of CO2. These systems will provide carbon neutral power for the vessel’s propulsion, positioning, and main operations.

This 93m long vessel will provide accommodations for 124 persons and will be built according to DNV classification rules sailing under the Danish flag. The SOV will serve the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Hornsea 2 located off the UK’s Yorkshire coast in the North Sea.

This new state-of-the-art ESVAGT SOV is expected to provide high comfort standards to the crew and technicians on board in addition to space for recreational activities including fitness facilities, games rooms, cinemas, and individual accommodation.

The vessel will provide a highly efficient workspace together with safe transfer of the technicians at the wind farm via a motion-compensated gangway and transfer boats as well as a crane to lift heavy spare parts. The SOV will also be equipped with a helicopter deck for fast and easy access and transfer from shore.

“This success marks another milestone for Cemre, and having the confidence sourced from the former challenging ‘firsts’ we believe Cemre Shipyard will present this green-committed and futuristic vessel to the sector successfully when completed,” said Burak Mursalolu, Head of Business Development at Cemre Shipyard.

Inmarsat launches Fleet Xpress for shipyards

Satellite communications company Inmarsat has made its marketleading maritime broadband service, Fleet Xpress, available to shipyards. Installed during new building, Fleet Xpress for Shipyards eliminates time-consuming and costly installation works in port, offering owners a pre-fitted very small aperture terminal (VSAT) solution included in the initial cost of the vessel.

“Fleet Xpress for Shipyards is a game-changer for shipbuilders and owners alike, streamlining installation, providing remote connectivity from vessel launch and enabling optimal integration between integral onboard systems,” said Ben Palmer, President, Inmarsat Maritime. “We are delighted to collaborate on the shipyard offering with JRC and Intellian, two of our value-added manufacturers and trusted partners.”

Inmarsat’s newly-launched service enables delivery of Fleet Xpress capability to the shipyard during vessel construction. All terminals, cables, and below deck units are installed as a Fleet Xpress line-fit service, allowing the yard to deliver a one-stop solution to the owner that improves safety and offers fast and reliable connectivity from the first voyage.

“Working with Inmarsat to deliver Fleet Xpress for Shipyards allows us to strengthen our relationship with yards as a technology partner for smart vessels,” said Eric Sung, CEO, Intellian. “As one of the world’s top shipbuilders, we’re delighted that Hyundai Heavy Industries is among the first to recognise the value of this line-fit solution – we’re seeing significant interest from yards across all markets.”

For shipyards, Inmarsat said early installation of Fleet Xpress will enhance responsiveness to growing customer demand for highspeed communications and provide remote vessel monitoring and maintenance capabilities upon delivery. Furthermore, by using data to counter improper claims and ensure preventive operations, shipyards can minimise warranty costs.

With the vessel featuring state-of-the-art VSAT equipment at launch, owners and managers are assured that their bandwidth needs are fully integrated and sea-trialled at the point of handover, while the crew has access to fast, ultra-reliable connectivity as soon as they step onboard. In addition, Fleet Xpress allows the implementation of a range of digital services and automation onboard the vessel that further delivers advantages for ship performance and crew well-being.

“Fleet Xpress for Shipyards gives shipbuilders the competitive edge of being able to pre-install Inmarsat’s industry-leading Fleet Xpress service,” said Mr Palmer. “Early interest in the solution has been strong. With the first implementations executed, we already have several more projects in the pipeline.”