SMM 2026 once again brought the global maritime industry together in Hamburg this September, and on a bigger scale than ever! More than 50,000 participants from 134 countries and around 2,300 exhibiting companies took part across 12 exhibition halls. SMM also continued to refresh its programme and special areas, with new additions such as the Naval Hall and Energy Efficiency Hub, while AI was a major topic at the Maritime Future Summit - all reflecting the industry’s changing priorities. More than 5,000 first-time visitors attended this year’s event, and several countries also established a pavilion presence for the first time.
One of the most noticeable developments at SMM 2026 was the stronger focus on security and resilience. A major new addition was Naval Hall B8 and the accompanying MS&D Conference, which brought together international navies, defence companies, maritime suppliers and dual-use technology providers. Unmanned systems, sensors, cybersecurity and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure were among the key themes. At the same time, familiar topics such as decarbonisation, energy efficiency, digitalisation and AI remained firmly on the agenda. The emphasis was increasingly on practical applications and technologies; available and proven solutions need to be procured at a quicker turnaround.
AI was another strong theme at SMM 2026. At the Maritime Future Summit, the focus was on where AI can create real value in maritime operations, whether from fleet optimisation and predictive maintenance to autonomous systems and situational awareness. Also addressed were questions around it's limitations, safety-critical applications, certification, liability and transparency. According to the summit report, it is not about using AI everywhere, but rather about identifying the right avenues of use in the context of maritime operations.
Based on our own experience attending as well as feedback from our 26 clients exhibiting at SMM, one of the strongest takeaways from the week was also one of the simplest: maritime business is still very much built face to face. With the industry’s leading companies and decision-makers gathered in one place, SMM showed why international exhibitions remain such an important platform. Shipyards, technology companies, suppliers, shipowners and other key players from across the global maritime value chain were all present in Hamburg. The quality of the discussions and the number of decision-makers on site again showed how important it is for companies to be present at SMM; building relationships.Insert: LEAD IMAGE (OPTION 1 OR 2)For Wulff Entre, it was one of the major exhibition projects of the year. We delivered the Maritime Finland Pavilion, covering more than 400 m², together with several individually designed stands across the exhibition grounds. Projects on this scale are about much more than the final stand, their real value comes from what happens inside them: customer meetings, new introductions, conversations with partners and opportunities that continue long after the exhibition closes. As Wulff Entre takes care of planning, design, coordination, production and logistics, this releases valuable time for our clients to concentrate on building relationships with existing as well as new clients and partners.
Planning for SMM 2028, taking place in Hamburg on 5–8 September 2028, is already under way. There are also plenty of other events to look forward to before then. At the moment, we are working on Nor-Shipping Week, taking place in Norway on 7–11 June 2027. Later in the year, the maritime calendar continues with Indo Pacific 2027 in Sydney on 2–4 November and Marintec China 2027 in Shanghai on 30 November–3 December. Wulff Entre will produce the Finland Pavilion at Nor-Shipping, continuing our work in helping Finnish maritime companies build a strong presence at the industry’s key international events. From Hamburg to Oslo, Sydney, Shanghai and beyond, we go where our maritime clients need our support: at the exhibitions and industry meeting points that matter to them. If Nor-Shipping 2027 or another maritime event is already on your radar, our very own maritime expert Salla Salonen, with over 20 years of experience, can help make it a reality: from selecting the right event for your company’s goals to final execution on-site.