The maritime sector remains committed to sustainability despite continued scepticism regarding the global climate goals, the latest SMM Maritime Industry Report (MIR) reveals. At SMM 2026, the global maritime flagship fair taking place next September, companies will showcase technologies driving the energy transformation of the global shipping sector.

It came as a blow: The member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) failed to achieve consensus on a global climate protection policy last week. The decision was postponed to next year. In an extraordinary session, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) discussed effective measures to implement the IMO climate goals, such as a global alternative fuel standard and an emission penalty for ships exceeding set limits.

But those dealing with the practical implications of these plans remain sceptical about the IMO’s climate ambition. This is one of the conclusions drawn by the SMM Maritime Industry Report 2025 (MIR) which summarises the responses of roughly 1,500 industry leaders surveyed by Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC).

Roughly half of shipowners and suppliers (51 per cent) doubt that the net-zero goal can be achieved by 2050. 46 per cent of shipyards share this assessment. Just barely one third of respondents (29 per cent of shipowners, and 26 per cent of yards) are more optimistic. Market insiders such as yard manager and Chairman of the SMM Advisory Committee Dr. Klaus Borgschulte are not surprised: “After all we are talking about roughly 90,000 ships world-wide – a gigantic undertaking that can hardly be accomplished within the given time frame.”

Investing in the future

Despite these doubts, sustainability continues to range at the top of the industry’s agenda: 78 per cent of responding suppliers expect the issue to become even more prominent in the coming years. Nine out of ten companies are in the process of implementing specific measures, a marked increase from the previous survey (+ 8 per cent).

The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is already reshaping investment decisions, operational strategies, and fuel choices across the maritime value chain, confirms Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime. According to the classification society’s Maritime Forecast to 2050, the number of climate-friendly ships is growing steadily. The supply of the required alternative fuels remains limited, however. Over the next ten years, the MIR survey participants expect the demand for LNG, biofuels, methanol and other hydrogen-based fuels to soar. In addition, hybrid propulsion solutions could play a key role, as well.

Efficiency is the new capital

“In the end, cost and availability will be the decisive factors,” points out Richard von Berlepsch, long-standing fleet director at the shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. There can be no doubt that alternative fuels will be more expensive than conventional ones, making efficient ship operations a crucial success factor for both newbuilds and vessels in service.

As a consequence, the industry puts the focus on retrofitting existing ships, implementing measures such as propeller and energy system upgrades, or installing exhaust gas treatment systems: According to the MIR survey, 78 per cent of shipowners are planning to invest in appropriate technologies, especially propulsion systems (66 per cent) and digital solutions (58 per cent). “Shipowners are willing to spend money,” says von Berlepsch.

Success through collaboration

“Generally there is confidence and a strong willingness to invest,” says Hauke Schlegel, CEO at VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems. “Our industry has the right technologies to lead the shipping sector to a climate-friendly future.” Schlegel believes close collaboration between the different stakeholders is key to taking the industry up to the next level.

Claus-Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, emphasises: “Everyone involved understands there won’t be that one single technology solution to achieve the IMO’s zero-emission goal by 2050 – neither in terms of propulsion technology nor when it comes to energy sources. There will be a combination of many technologies enabling the shipping sector to achieve net zero, combined with operational efficiency enhancements including digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence. At SMM, decision-makers will find the full spectrum of technologies.”

SMM attendees will be eagerly anticipating the discussions at the subject matter-specific conferences offered at the fair. “The leading international maritime trade fair is the perfect platform to shape the future of the maritime economy,” says SMM Director Christoph Lücke. “This is where representatives of the political, scientific and business worlds meet to breathe life into the transformation.” Their common goal coincides with the theme of SMM 2026: “Driving The Maritime Transition”.