COVID Forces SMM Online

SMM, the major marine trade show held in Hamburg, Germany, was postponed earlier this year because of the impact of COVID-19. Now the event will be online only as a result of the pandemic.

The event was originally scheduled for September, but organizers pushed back the start date to February in the hopes that the pandemic would be controlled by then.

But the recent uptick in cases has forced organizers to rethink the event.

“All are struggling with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, including business travel restrictions and strict quarantine requirements,” according to the event’s website. “Even the best hygiene strategy cannot change this reality for us as a trade fair organiser.”

Show organizers will present digital offerings from Feb. 2-5. More information is available at ssm-hamburg.com.

SMM, which is held every two years, is regarded as one of the world’s key events for the maritime equipment and shipbuilding industry and in 2018 it attracted 2,250 exhibitors from 67 countries and approximately 50 000 visitors.