TECH-INNOVATION POWERED
TECH-INNOVATION POWERED BY VDMA - MARINE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS German marine suppliers – trends and technologies TECH-INNOVATION powered by VDMA – Marine Equipment and Systems: This section within the HANSA magazine features brief updates on technical developments, innovations and market launches from the powerful marine equipment industry organised in its association VDMA VDMA at SMM: Driving Innovation and Collaboration At this year‘s SMM, the VDMA played a key role as a leading supporting organization. Together with CIMAC, they showcased solutions for digitalization, decarbonization, and advanced propulsion technologies. The program featured panels and presentations addressing the challenges of maritime transformation VDMA MES presented itself at the SMM together with VDMA Engines and Systems and CIMAC © VDMA At this year‘s SMM, the VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems was once again present as a leading supporting organization of this global event. Which topics were most relevant to you and your members at the SMM, and what was new this time? Hauke Schlegel: To start with the new: At our traditional stand position directly at the entrance to Hall A1, we had two other strong members of the VDMA “family” on the stand for the first time this year: the VDMA Engines and Systems Association and the global organization CIMAC, the International Council for Power, Drives and Propulsion. Together, we offered an extensive programme at the trade fair, which was intended for both our members and the worldwide guests from the shipping and shipbuilding industries. We organized a total of three well-attended panels on the SMM stages, as well as a programme of almost 40 short presentations directly at our “Speaker‘s Corner” at the VDMA stand This year‘s topics once again focused on future fuels and increasing efficiency in shipping and, of course, maritime digitalization. The demand for our member companies‘ solutions is greater than ever in the midst of the maritime transformation. This was also evident at the trade fair. The major challenges facing shipping in the decarbonization 54 HANSA – International Maritime Journal 10 | 2024
TECH-INNOVATION POWERED BY VDMA - MARINE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS Almost 40 short presentations were held at the VDMA stand at SMM. On the picture: Hauke Schlegel process cannot be tackled with offers from individual companies – what matters here is an intelligent combination and in-depth cooperation within the innovative maritime sector and its customers in global shipping. SMM is still the undisputed best platform for cultivating global networks © VDMA and gaining inspiration as well as trust through personal contacts. Where and how can you, as an association, support your member companies in addressing these topics? Schlegel: In the VDMA the size of our organization means that we have a wealth of service modules that we provide to our member companies and that give them concrete support in the increasingly confusing global environment of markets and regulations. It should not be forgotten that the vast majority of our members are medium-sized companies that are so successful in demanding markets thanks to their flexibility and innovative strength on the one hand, but also build on long-term corporate strategies for which they value the opportunities for information services and exchange within the association. Specifically for the keywords decarbonization and digitization, we form platforms and networks that help companies with their development decisions, with their networking in the market, but also with coping with the unfortunately increasing bureaucratic challenges that national and international legislation brings us. As an association closely connected to the maritime equipment industry, what challenges do you foresee for your association and its members in the near future? Schlegel: In view of the great demand situation, which we all felt again at SMM, and the technological challenges, these are actually wonderful times for such an innovative, engineering-driven industry as the maritime technology industry that we are privileged to represent. But at the same time, of course, we know that the global crises and increasing interference in free trade are presenting us with major challenges. It is a major task for us associations to communicate to politicians the necessary conditions for our extraordinarily global industrial sector. Competition between systems is in full swing, and we are of course convinced that the development and production of high-tech belongs in Germany and Europe – but that great efforts are also required from everyone to maintain this position in the future and to further expand it in the face of tough competition. The VDMA, Europe’s largest industrial association, represents approx. 3,600 German and European companies in the engineering and plant construction sector. VDMA – Marine Equipment and Systems represents the exportoriented maritime sector serving the global markets of shipping, shipbuilding and the offshore oil & gas industry. Industry and Business Events & Exhibitions German marine business initiation tour Brazil Oct 07 – 11, 2024 Rio de Janeiro/Santos Brazil VDMA General Assembly Oct 10 – 11, 2024 Wiesbaden Germany Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct 30 – Nov 03, 2024 Fort Lauderdale USA ADIPEC Nov 04 – 07, 2024 Abu Dhabi UAE »Smart Connectivity by MTP«, 2nd Round Table Nov 07, 2024 Hamburg Germany OSEA Nov 19 – 21, 2024 Singapore Singapore Seatrade Cruise Global April 07 – 10, 2025 Miami USA For more information on the events or participation – please contact VDMA: nord@vdma.org. + 49 40 50 72 070 HANSA – International Maritime Journal 10 | 2024 55
