Maritime industry events provide a platform for the sector’s various companies and stakeholders to present ideas and share insights. Not only can suppliers, manufacturers, operators, and investors gain inspiration for the future, they can make new contacts and conclude business deals. From September 3–7, 2018, SMM will host tens of thousands of visitors from around the world to discuss the major trends and opportunities in the maritime market.
Flash back to 2016
With an attendance of around 50,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors from 66 countries, SMM 2016 was an all-round success. Many presentations and seminars focused on the industry’s recovery. But digitization and green technology also featured prominently. Hall A5 was dedicated to alternative propulsion such as LNG and hydrogen. In this sense, the trade fair offered a true reflection of the current industry trends.
Smart shipping takes center stage
SMM 2018 promises to build on this: 97% of all visitors to the last event said they were either considering or would be certainly attending in 2018. As part of the gmec event, leading companies will address green shipping and sustainability topics. This will include ballast water treatment technologies and compliance with the global sulfur cap.
In addition, SMM’s ‘Digital Route’ will showcase some of the innovations that are set to disrupt the maritime industry. Presentations and panel discussions on autonomous shipping, artificial intelligence, and high-tech communication solutions will provide an insight into what the future holds for shipping.
Innovations for a sustainable future
SKF Marine will be one of the many returning exhibitors at SMM 2018. In keeping with the event’s core topics, the exhibition will focus on new green technologies, including stabilizers and shaft components. There will also be new advanced solutions for oily water treatment and condition monitoring. You can see the technology for yourself at stand 210 in Hall A1.
Stay tuned for upcoming articles in this series, where we will explore the leading topics of SMM 18 in more detail.