The 30th SMM

It didn't show that SMM had to take a long involuntary break. We went down to business at SMM 22 right away. We used this trade fair unlike any other to interact with our existing customers, meet with partners, and expand our network. Walking through the halls you noticed the enormous innovative strength of the sector. We are currently in an exciting transitional phase towards becoming a digitalised and sustainable industry. The fair gave us an impression what that future industry might look like.

For MAN Energy Solutions and for me personally, SMM has always been something to look forward to. It is a true crossroads for suppliers and customers, and all others interested in the fascinating world of the maritime industry. Our company has a long history of partnership with SMM and we were very pleased to be part of the celebration of SMM's 30th in 2022.

As in previous years, SMM 22 was primarily a trade fair where personal contacts matter. We've seen familiar faces and finally had time for some in-depth conversations and an exchange of views. In Rotterdam in 2021 there wasn’t much going on at all. In Hamburg you finally felt the forward-looking spirit.

Anyone who wants to know what is driving the sector and where the voyage is headed should go to SMM. We had made up our minds early to return to Hamburg again in 2022. We were not disappointed. Despite a few organisational glitches, which were understandable, we are very thankful to Hamburg Messe for this event, which has demonstrated time and again how lively and multifaceted our industry is.

As a marketplace for innovations, SMM is an important information basis for investment decisions of German shipowners. The focus in 2022 was on the transformation of the maritime industry to achieve carbon neutrality. We are communicating about this with shipbuilders and suppliers as well as numerous experts around the world, many of whom we could meet personally at SMM in Hamburg.

The fact that the professional SMM team succeeds in bringing the entire shipbuilding world to Hamburg every single time is an admirable accomplishment. As an industry that is well-established in the host country, we are well advised to appreciate and nourish SMM. It mirrors our technology leadership. There is no better opportunity to familiarise the general public, including young talents who are so important for our future, and political decision-makers with the breadth and depth of our industry.

We are very glad that SMM was able to take place in the customary format again. This is an important trade fair, and there is no other place where so many customers, suppliers and other market players can meet within such a short time span. We have not only seen familiar faces but also introduced ourselves to many new people; we followed up on ongoing projects and signed several major new contracts. For Becker, SMM is and will always be the world's most important shipbuilding trade fair.

For us as an industry association, SMM, as the the leading international maritime trade fair, is a focal point of our activities. We are proud to contribute to the quality and internationality of SMM which we all appreciate so much.