INMEX SMM India 2023 – India’s maritime sector sees bright future ahead

October 13, 2023

INMEX SMM India, South Asia’s largest maritime exhibition & conference, took place in Mumbai from 04 to 06 October 2023. Shifting global supply chains and strong demand from the Indian navy and coast guard are giving a strong impetus to the industry.

Crowded exhibitor stands, lively conversations, captivating conferences, and plenty of new business relationships: On Friday, 06 October, INMEX SMM India 2023 came to a successful conclusion. For three days, around 8,300 industry visitors and around 250 exhibitors exchanged news and views about the maritime sector’s key topics, not only at the stands on the 4600+ square metre floor of the Exhibition Centre but also during the conferences. Here, as everywhere else, the decarbonisation of shipping was at the top of the agenda. The business potential on the Indian market was another major discussion topic. Prospects are excellent: Forecasts expect 25 per cent growth over the next five years. The Indian government is supporting the expansion initiatives of domestic shipyards

No wonder the mood was great among exhibitors and visitors alike: “INMEX SMM India 2023 has clearly exceeded their expectations as well as our own as organisers of the event. Never before have I witnessed such strong satisfaction among the participants. The scope, the quality, the variety and the attendance, everything was perfect,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) who was personally present as co-organiser of INMEX SMM India. The partner of SMM is Informa Markets India

International exhibitors

National pavilions were a strong presence at the Exhibition Centre. For example, the German delegation included around 15 exhibitors – significantly more than in 2019. Companies such as propeller manufacturer Mecklenburger Metallguss, ship engineering specialists SKF Marine, or JOWO Systemtechnik had made the journey to India. “For our company, INMEX SMM India 2023 was by far the best maritime trade fair in India since we exhibited here for the first time 14 years ago. The right people come here, and the fair gets better every time,” said Ronald Hoppmann, CEO of electrical experts WISKA. The mood was similarly exuberant at Greek joint stand, as well: For the INMEX SMM India 2025, the supplier association HEMEXPO plans to return with more exhibitors and more space.

All that positive feedback whets the appetite for more. The organisers are planning a more extensive international involvement for 2025 by adding national pavilions representing countries such as The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Claus Ulrich Selbach was especially impressed by the dynamic development of the Indian market. He is sure: “We will see more evidence of India’s rise in the global maritime sector at SMM in September 2024.”