New Cruise and Ferry Expo Planned for Hamburg

Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC), the organizer of SMM Hamburg, is launching a new expo focused on marine interiors. The new MARINE INTERIORS Cruise & Ferry Global Expo will be dedicated to the interior design and outfitting of passenger ships, addressing the demand from the booming cruise and ferry market. 

The first expo will take place from from September 11 to 13 at the Hamburg Messe fair complex. Suppliers from all segments of the ship interior equipment and design industry will showcase their products, and visitors will include procurement executives, interior designers and other decision-makers from the world’s leading cruise and ferry lines, shipyards and design studios.

In preparation for the launch of the new expo, Hamburg Messe conducted a comprehensive market analysis. Exhibitors and visitors will benefit from the decades of experience and the extensive network of SMM – the leading international maritime trade fair, which is also organised by HMC. Another factor that will guarantee the event’s success is the fact that it is held in parallel with the Seatrade Europe – Cruise and River Cruise Convention, which is already attracting thousands of senior cruise industry representatives to Hamburg’s fair complex. Visitors will have free access to both events. 

“We are creating a new platform for showcasing trends and innovations that will make the cruise experience even more luxurious, entertaining and unique,” said Bernd Aufderheide, president and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress. “We are responding to a request expressed by many exhibitors to establish a standalone trade fair dedicated entirely to the fast-growing passenger ship interiors segment. Already at SMM 2018, more than 300 exhibitors from this segment were present."

The new trade fair will benefit from the large number of cruise and ferry lines, shipyards and suppliers based in Germany and the rest of Europe. With the new expo, Hamburg will strengthen its position as a leading hub for the cruise industry.

The new expo will be held biennially every odd-numbered year beginning in 2019. Exhibitor registration for this year's fair begins this month, and the details may be found at www.marineinteriors-expo.com.