The 27th SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair in Hamburg concluded last week, has seen about 50,000 trade visitors and more than 2,200 exhibitors from 67 countries, presenting their most innovative products and services.
“The overwhelming turnout is proof of a general sense of anticipation that was palpable during the four days of the fair, as well,” said Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH. Considering the difficult situation of the industry, this was an especially encouraging fair, he added.
SMM featured various kinds of exhibitors from market leaders to young start-ups, whose common aim is to innovate and share their latest technologies and services.
Powerful and environment friendly marine engines, extremely precise navigation systems, innovative shore power supply, and smart water processing systems are just some of the topics where the maritime industry is optimizing, renewing and inventing. Among those topic, digitalization was one of the most important addresses at the event: “SMM is the first maritime trade fair globally to turn the spotlight on Industry 4.0. This theme harbours enormous potential for the shipping industry,” said Dr Alexander Nürnberg, Chairman of the Board of the Marine Equipment and Systems working group at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), and Managing Director of MacGregor Hatlapa.
Eco-friendly propulsion systems
Green power was another major topic, for which the fair has been specifically expanded: the focus was on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.
The LNG Hybrid Barge, by Hybrid Port Energy (part of Becker Marine Systems), a floating power station to supply cruise ships in port with electricity, is already in successful operation. The latest innovation is the modular special-purpose container LNG PowerPac, developed for power supply to container ships. Both of these product developments can give significant reductions in emissions such as NOX, SOX and CO2.
MTU (part of Rolls-Royce) also presented their LNG marine engine for the first time. The 16-cylinder variant covers a power range from 1,500 to 2,000 kilowatts. “LNG engines will become more and more important to complement the proven diesel engines in shipping,” said Dr Ulrich Dohle, Chairman of the Board of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. Rolls-Royce also exhibited new propulsion systems for commercial, offshore and public service vessels, and for private yachts.
Water processing systems
RWO, a part of the Veolia Group from France, one of the world’s leading maritime water processing systems, presented their CleanSewage Bio biological maritime waste water treatment system, which is particularly space saving, low-maintenance and easy to operate. A SRO-COM desalination system, featuring high energy efficiency thanks to a new type of membrane, was also displayed. Another highlight of theirs was the OWS-COM oily water separation system, the world’s leader in its category with more than 14,000 installations.
Performance and efficiency
Raytheon Anschütz, subsidiary of US defence and electronics company Raytheon, the world’s leading supplier of navigation equipment, presented the Synapsis NX INS-architecture. It is based on modern network infrastructure, modular software and the new Small Marine Computer. The special features are new applications and operating concepts, and better integration on the bridge.
Siemens has a logistics concept based on a modular container solution to accelerate maintenance work in dock. A standard seafreight container is individually fitted for the repair and maintenance requirements. This mobile ship service workshop includes standard and special-purpose tools, and also air-conditioning and heating equipment and special lighting systems so that service engineers are equipped for every work environment on site. The effect is impressive – cutting maintenance time by up to 15% and substantially reducing risk during maintenance work.
Maritime security and safe navigation
The German Armed Force (Bundeswehr) took part to SMM with three exhibits. The “airborne reconnaissance drone for close area imaging (ALADIN)” provides real-time airborne reconnaissance and surveillance with a range of about five kilometers. The specially developed stability calculation software for all ships and vessels of the German Navy was also presented live.
A special feature to fight cyber risks has been presented by the classification society DNV GL – the Cyber Quick Check application helps to protect fleet software and ship systems from potential attacks. The range of products includes further apps, e.g. for comparison of the individual energy efficiency of ships with global fleets, or for information on LNG in shipping.
The Fraunhofer Transport Alliance provided its combined know-how at SMM again with a joint stand run by seven of its organizations. The researchers presented an autonomous navigation system including modules for bad-weather navigation and collision avoidance, and a Crew Compliance Optimizer, which simplifies the complex administrative operations for putting together the crew and work schedules.