SMM: A varied programme at the stand and discussions
At SMM, the world’s leading trade fair for the maritime industry, the DMZ contributed to the programme with the panel discussion “Designing ships for an uncertain future” (in cooperation with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, moderated by Gyde Andresen-Paulsen, DMZ Advisor for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology). It focused on how ships can be designed to remain efficient, safe and adaptable in view of the uncertainty surrounding future fuels such as ammonia, methanol and biofuels. The panellists discussed which decisions, including those related to fuel-specific design and conversion options, can drive decarbonisation in the long term.
The official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the German Maritime Centre and the Indian Maritime Centre also took place during SMM. The agreement aims to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two institutions through joint research projects, events and more intensive knowledge exchange. The MoU was signed on behalf of the DMZ by Dr Reinhard Lüken and Dr Matthias Catón, and on behalf of the IMC by Devki Nandan Sharma and Arjun Ashok Chowgule. More information is available here.
SMM also provided the stage for the launch of the brand “Die maritime Branche” (moderated by Hanna Maurer, Advisor for Communications, DMZ) – a community brand aimed at attracting young talent to the German maritime sector and inspiring young people to explore maritime career opportunities. In the presence of Dr Wibke Mellwig, Dr Reinhard Lüken and the initiators, the official launch of the brand was celebrated.
The DMZ stand provided an opportunity for personal conversations and exchanges with visitors from a wide range of areas across the sector. The programme at the stand, which included a live interview with Dr Christoph Ploß, Coordinator of the Federal Government for Maritime Business and Tourism, underlined the importance of SMM as a platform for dialogue and networking.
All about ports: A focus on port-related issues
SMM was accompanied this year by the inaugural edition of the all about ports trade fair, an event dedicated to the future of the port industry. The DMZ was also represented here with a stand and organised several panel discussions.
The event “Geopolitics at the Port Gate: Foreign Investment, Security and Resilience” (moderated by Frederic Auel, Research Associate, DMZ) explored a security-policy perspective. It focused on how ports, as key hubs for trade, military logistics, energy supply and digital infrastructure, can remain open to foreign investment while protecting their critical infrastructure and strategic interests. The discussion highlighted the importance of transparency regarding investors and the significant security risks that integrated IT systems can pose to the control and resilience of critical port infrastructure.
The panel discussion “Compete, Connect, Transform: Rethinking Port Competitiveness” (moderated by Johannes Puckelwald, Advisor for Ports and Infrastructure, DMZ) examined the determining factors about which ports companies choose today and in the future, and how successful ports can remain in a competitive environment. The panellists emphasised that competitiveness involves more than cargo throughput: reliability, productivity, flexibility and efficient hinterland and inland connections are all crucial.
The event “Short Sea Shipping 2035: Navigating the Transition to a Sustainable and Competitive Future” (moderated by Henning Martin, Project Manager Short Sea Shipping, DMZ) explored possible pathways towards efficient and sustainable short-sea shipping and port operations by 2035. The importance of green corridors in bringing relevant stakeholders together was highlighted, while the panellists also stressed that putting these projects into practice often presents considerable challenges.
The event “Funding the Future: Navigating Europe’s Maritime Landscape for Port Ecosystems” (moderated by Dr Helena Rapp, Advisor for European Initiatives and Funding Programmes, DMZ) focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with European funding for maritime ecosystems. Taking the EU Port Strategy as its starting point, the discussion centred in particular on how suitable funding programmes can strengthen innovation as a key factor in competitiveness.
Exchange and new perspectives
SMM and all about ports demonstrated how strongly current geopolitical tensions, the transformation of energy systems, technological developments and growing demands for sustainability and resilience are reshaping the maritime sector. The wide-ranging discussions on the stages and at the exhibition stands highlighted the challenges facing industry stakeholders and showed that joint solutions are more important than ever. For the DMZ, both events provided important platforms for professional exchange, new contacts and the further development of international cooperation.
Here you can find a detailed gallery with material from every event.
Impressions from SMM/ aap:
