SMM Maritime Industry Report and the doubts of the shipping industry about the global climate goals

SMM Maritime Industry Report 2025 (MIR) summarizes the responses of roughly 1,500 industry leaders surveyed by Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC). Regarding the ambitious goals for maritime decarbonization, the assessment is marked by skepticism. 

At the root of the SMM report

The SMM report is based on the fact that member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) failed to achieve consensus on a global climate protection policy last week. 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.

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 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.”

Alternative Fuels

According to the SMM report, 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 (find HERE the Rolls-Royce point of view at the 2022 edition).

Claus-Ulrich Selbach says

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”.