SMM 2014 reports record turnout

Its 26 national pavilions and exhibitors from 67 different countries made this year's fair more international than ever, the organiser HMC (Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH) said. For the first time, companies from Egypt, Lebanon and Sri Lanka participated, and Dubai set up its first national pavilion. The Asian market was well represented by major players from South Korea, Japan and China. Exhibits on display covered the entire spectrum of products and developments of the maritime industry.
"SMM is the showcase of the shipyards, the shipbuilding industry at large, and its supply industry. I am extremely pleased to see the industry looking more optimistically into the future after having gone through troublesome years. This positive message is being sent from Hamburg into the world," said Uwe Beckmeyer, parliamentary secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and federal government coordinator for the maritime industry.
The event again took place under the patronage of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
In addition to the exhibition, the accompanying special events programme, including gmec, MS&D, SMM Offshore Dialogue, SMM Ship Finance Forum and the newly established Recruiting Day, which aimed to attract highly qualified staff for the shipping industry, was well received, HMC said.
The next SMM will be held from September 6th to 9th 2016.