The top maritime fairs are SMM in Hamburg, Posidonia in Athens and Nor-Shipping in Oslo. Each is held every two years and draws exhibitors from around the world. Regional shows such as Europort, Marintec China and the International WorkBoat Show fill the years in between.
This guide lists the main maritime exhibitions with their next dates, and explains how to choose a show to visit or exhibit at. Dates were checked in October 2026; confirm them on each organizer’s site before you book.
What Are the Biggest Maritime Fairs in 2026 and 2027?
The biggest maritime fairs are biennial. SMM and Posidonia ran in 2026 and return in 2028, while Nor-Shipping, Europort and Marintec China hold their next editions in 2027.
| Fair | City | Cycle | Next edition | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International WorkBoat Show | New Orleans, USA | Annual | 2–4 December 2026 | Workboats, tugs, offshore and inland vessels |
| Expomaritt Exposhipping | Istanbul, Turkey | Recurring | 23–26 February 2027 | Shipbuilding and marine equipment |
| CMA Shipping | USA | Annual | March 2027 | Shipping business conference and exhibition |
| Breakbulk Europe | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Recurring | 11–13 May 2027 | Project cargo and breakbulk logistics |
| Nor-Shipping | Lillestrøm and Oslo, Norway | Biennial | 7–11 June 2027 | Shipping, shipowners, ocean industries |
| London International Shipping Week | London, UK | Biennial | 13–17 September 2027 | Conferences and networking, no main exhibition hall |
| INMEX SMM India | Mumbai, India | Recurring | 22–24 September 2027 | Shipbuilding, ports and marine equipment |
| Baltexpo | Gdańsk, Poland | Biennial | 5–7 October 2027 | Baltic maritime and naval industry |
| Europort | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Biennial | November 2027 | Complex ships, offshore and dredging |
| Marintec China | Shanghai, China | Biennial | 30 Nov–3 Dec 2027 | Shipbuilding and marine engineering |
| SMM | Hamburg, Germany | Biennial | September 2028 | Shipbuilding, machinery and marine technology |
| Posidonia | Athens, Greece | Biennial | June 2028 | Shipowners and shipping services |
Global Maritime Fairs
The leading maritime exhibitions are held in Europe and Asia, where shipbuilding and shipowning are concentrated. Each has its own focus, from shipyards and machinery to shipowners and port logistics.
Europe’s Key Events
SMM in Hamburg is the leading international shipbuilding and marine technology fair. The 2026 edition ran from 1 to 4 September at Hamburg Messe, and the 2024 show had about 2,200 exhibitors.
Nor-Shipping is the shipowners’ and ocean industries’ week in Norway. The 2027 edition runs from 7 to 11 June, with the exhibition in Lillestrøm and events across Oslo.
Europort in Rotterdam focuses on complex ships, offshore and dredging. It is held every two years at Ahoy Rotterdam, with the next edition in November 2027.
Baltexpo in Gdańsk is the main maritime fair of the Baltic region, held every two years. Its next edition runs from 5 to 7 October 2027 at Amberexpo.
Posidonia in Athens is the shipowners’ show of Greece, one of the world’s largest shipowning nations. The 2026 edition ran from 1 to 5 June at the Metropolitan Expo, with visitors from about 140 countries; the next is in 2028.
Expomaritt Exposhipping Istanbul covers Turkey’s busy shipbuilding and repair industry. Its 18th edition runs from 23 to 26 February 2027 at the Istanbul Expo Center.
Asia’s Prominent Fairs
Marintec China in Shanghai is one of Asia’s largest maritime fairs, focused on shipbuilding and marine engineering. It is held every two years, with the next edition from 30 November to 3 December 2027.
INMEX SMM India in Mumbai covers shipbuilding, ports and marine equipment for South Asia. The next edition runs from 22 to 24 September 2027 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre.
Regional shows such as the Indonesia Maritime Expo in Jakarta and the Bangladesh International Marine and Offshore Expo serve their national markets. Check their sites for current dates.
North America’s Significant Fairs
The International WorkBoat Show is the main US commercial marine exhibition, for tugs, ferries, offshore and inland vessels. The 2026 show runs from 2 to 4 December at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
CMA Shipping is the Connecticut Maritime Association’s annual conference and exhibition, held each March. The 2026 edition ran from 10 to 12 March in Stamford, Connecticut.
The SNAME Maritime Convention brings together naval architects and marine engineers. It is a good fit for students from the naval engineering schools in the US looking for internships and first jobs.
Africa’s Notable Expositions
OTL Africa Downstream Week in Lagos, Nigeria, focuses on oil and gas downstream, including shipping and terminals. Check the organizer’s site for current dates.
What Is the Biggest International Shipping Week?
London International Shipping Week (LISW) is the best-known shipping week. It runs every two years, and LISW27 takes place from 13 to 17 September 2027 across London.
A shipping week differs from a trade fair: it is a program of conferences, receptions and meetings across a city rather than one exhibition hall. Nor-Shipping and Posidonia combine both formats.
How Do You Choose a Maritime Fair to Exhibit At?
Choose by who you want to meet, then by region and budget. Shipyard suppliers go where shipbuilders gather, service providers go where shipowners gather, and local suppliers do best at regional shows.
| If you sell to | Look at |
|---|---|
| Shipyards and shipbuilders | SMM, Marintec China, Europort, INMEX SMM India |
| Shipowners and managers | Posidonia, Nor-Shipping, LISW |
| US workboat and inland operators | International WorkBoat Show |
| Project cargo and logistics | Breakbulk Europe |
| Baltic and Eastern European yards | Baltexpo |
- Book early: stand space at the large biennial fairs is sold well before the show
- Consider a national pavilion: many countries run shared stands that cut cost and paperwork
- Book meetings in advance: shipowners’ diaries fill up weeks before the fair
- Use the side events: conferences and receptions often produce more contacts than the stand
Key Participants in Maritime Fairs
Maritime fairs bring together exhibitors, buyers, regulators and speakers from every part of the industry. Most visitors are shipowners, shipyard staff, superintendents and equipment buyers.
Exhibitors and Service Providers
Exhibitors include shipbuilders, equipment makers, logistics companies and technology providers. Service providers include classification societies, insurers and banks.
They use fairs to launch products, meet customers and generate leads.
Government and Regulatory Bodies
Flag States, port authorities and international bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) attend to present rules and initiatives. Many countries also run national pavilions to support their own exporters.
Maritime Professionals and Speakers
Shipowners, operators, engineers and other professionals attend to network and follow new developments. Speakers cover topics such as decarbonization, digitalization and safety in panel discussions and other educational sessions.
Students and young seafarers can also use fairs to meet employers. Our guides to maritime colleges and academies in the US and working on a merchant vessel cover the routes into the industry.
What Trends Do Maritime Fairs Show?
Recent fairs have centred on decarbonization, digitalization and automation. Exhibitors show new fuels, energy-saving technology and software that cuts fuel consumption.
- Cleaner propulsion: electric, hybrid and wind-assisted propulsion, plus alternative fuels and onboard solar power
- Emissions rules: technology aimed at shipping decarbonization targets
- Digitalization: performance monitoring, data analytics and remote support
- Automation: autonomous and remotely operated vessels, and automated port equipment
- Security: surveillance and cyber security for ships and terminals
Impact of Maritime Fairs
Maritime fairs shape business decisions: many newbuilding, equipment and service deals start or are announced at the big shows. They also bring suppliers and shipyards together, which speeds up new technology reaching ships.
Host cities benefit too, as thousands of visitors spend on travel, hotels and local services during the show week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest maritime fair in the world?
SMM in Hamburg is widely regarded as the leading maritime trade fair, with about 2,200 exhibitors in 2024. Posidonia in Athens and Nor-Shipping in Oslo are the largest shows focused on shipowners.
When is the next SMM Hamburg?
SMM is held every two years in September. The 2026 edition ran from 1 to 4 September, so the next is expected in September 2028.
When is Nor-Shipping 2027?
Nor-Shipping 2027 runs from 7 to 11 June 2027, with the exhibition in Lillestrøm and events across Oslo.
What is the biggest international shipping week?
London International Shipping Week is the best-known. It runs every two years, and LISW27 takes place from 13 to 17 September 2027.
What is the main maritime trade show in the US?
The International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans is the main US commercial marine exhibition. The 2026 show runs from 2 to 4 December.
What are the most popular port and logistics trade shows?
Breakbulk Europe in Rotterdam is a leading show for project cargo and breakbulk logistics; the 2027 edition runs from 11 to 13 May. TOC Europe and Intermodal Europe focus on container terminals and intermodal transport.
How far ahead should you book a stand at a maritime fair?
Book as early as possible, especially for the large biennial fairs, where stand space sells out well before the show. National pavilions are a cheaper way to exhibit if you missed direct booking.
Are maritime fairs open to students?
Many fairs offer visitor tickets, student days or career zones, and some are free to register. Check each organizer’s visitor rules before you travel.
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