A new industry conference accompanied by an exhibition has successfully brought together international decision-makers, technology providers and industry experts to discuss solutions for resilient and future-ready ports. The inaugural edition of ALL ABOUT PORTS at the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg concluded with highly positive feedback. More than 1,100 participants attended the event on 2 and 3 September 2026. The strong turnout highlights the port industry’s demand for a platform that, for the first time, takes a holistic view of all challenges and future issues facing the global port sector, including digitalisation and AI, sustainability and alternative propulsion systems, infrastructure and logistics, port security, and process automation. ALL ABOUT PORTS took place alongside SMM, the world’s leading trade fair for the maritime industry, and LogiNext Germany, complementing the joint event portfolio with a dedicated focus on the future of ports.

Three Stages, One Future Topic: How Ports Can Become Resilient and Future-Proof

Over the course of two event days, experts from the port industry, politics, science and technology discussed the challenges and opportunities arising from the transformation of the logistics and port sectors across three stages. Among the speakers contributing to insightful presentations and discussions were Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics, Labour and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg; Dr Wibke Mellwig, Head of the Waterways and Shipping Division at the German Federal Ministry for Transport; Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority, President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and Patron of ALL ABOUT PORTS; and Vijay Kumar, Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Topics such as smart port management, the protection of critical infrastructure, digitalisation and automation were discussed alongside financing, decarbonisation and sustainable port fleets. The conference programme was complemented by a specialised exhibition where companies showcased products, technologies and services for the port industry.

“As an international port and logistics hub, Hamburg is closely connected to global trade flows and is therefore an ideal place to discuss the future of the port industry. With ALL ABOUT PORTS, we have created a platform that for the first time takes a holistic view of all aspects of ports, from infrastructure and technology to security, sustainability, digitalisation and logistics. The fact that ALL ABOUT PORTS took place alongside SMM and LogiNext Germany further underlines Hamburg’s importance as an international meeting point for the maritime and logistics industries,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress.

Resilience in Focus: Practical Solutions for the Ports of Tomorrow

A key focus of the event was the question of how ports can become more resilient and future-ready in the face of growing challenges. Global supply chains, the energy transition, cyber and security risks, as well as technological change, present port locations with increasingly complex tasks.

ALL ABOUT PORTS provided a platform for exchanging practical solutions, ranging from automation and digital applications to security concepts, sustainable energy supply and resilient infrastructure.

Positive Feedback on the Premiere 

Exhibitors and speakers alike drew a positive conclusion. “ALL ABOUT PORTS has made an impressive start. The momentum, international character and high quality of the discussions were truly inspiring. We were able to establish numerous new contacts, discuss exciting projects and exchange views with leading industry players on the future of ports. We are already looking forward to the next edition,” says Shaul Schneider, Executive Chairman of Ashdod Port Company.

© Hamburg Messe und Congress / Ibo Ot

Strong Partners for a Diverse Programme

ALL ABOUT PORTS is supported by leading organisations from the maritime industry, including Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN), the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), Hafen Hamburg Marketing e.V. (HHM), the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), the Federation of European Private Port Companies and Terminals (FEPORT), the German Maritime Center (DMZ), the Central Association of German Ship Brokers (ZVDS), Krajowa Izba Gospodarki Morskiej (KIGM), EUROGATE, DVV Media Group (DVV), Terminal Industry Committee 4.0 (TIC 4.0) and the European Onshore Power Supply Association (EPOSA).

“The ALL ABOUT PORTS conference programme thrives on the commitment of our partners from the port industry, logistics, politics and science. It brings together experts and key future topics from across the sector. The strong response demonstrates how relevant the exchange on the further development of resilient and sustainable ports is,” says Jens Meier, CEO of HPA and Patron of ALL ABOUT PORTS.

Three Events Connecting the Maritime and Logistics Industries 

The parallel staging of ALL ABOUT PORTS, SMM and LogiNext Germany created additional synergies for the maritime and logistics sectors. While SMM covered the full spectrum of the maritime industry, ALL ABOUT PORTS placed a dedicated focus on the future of ports. LogiNext Germany complemented the offering with perspectives on the digital transformation of logistics and supply chain management. Together, the three events covered key interfaces across the maritime and logistics value chain.

With its successful premiere, ALL ABOUT PORTS has established a new meeting point for the international port industry in Hamburg and generated momentum for a resilient, sustainable and technologically advanced future for ports.

The next ALL ABOUT PORTS will take place from 17 to 18 November 2027.