SMM, International Maritime Trade Fair, opens in Hamburg, Germany (photo report)
Ceremonial opening of SMM, International Maritime Trade Fair, was held on September 8 at the Congress Center Hamburg (ССH, Hamburg, Germany), IAA PortNews journalist reports. Bernd Aufderheide, CEO and President, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, welcomed the event participants with the opening speech. According to him, 2,100 exhibitors and over 50,000 visitors are expected to take part in the 26th SMM, which is a record high number in the history of this fair.
With its 26 national pavilions and exhibitors from 67 different countries, this year's fair is more international than ever, Bernd Aufderheide said. He also noted that SMM will include the conferences and special events like SMM Offshore Dialogue, SMM Ship Finance Forum and Recruiting Day.
Senator Frank Horch, State Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs, Employment, Transport and Technology of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, told about the integration of Hamburg into the global shipping industry.
Uwe Beckmeyer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, commented on the importance of the maritime sector as an innovation driver, praising its willingness to embrace high technology.
As a surprise crowning the ceremony was the speech of Mike Dawson, a professional skipper who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean several times. He shared his experience with the participants of the ceremony emphasizing the importance of interaction between people of different nationalities during his trips.
Photo report of IAA PortNews >>>>
