SMM 2026 Hamburg – Signals for the Anchor Chain Industry
SMM 2026 – Signals for the Anchor Chain Industry from the Hamburg Maritime Exhibition
From September 1 to 4, 2026, the 32nd edition of SMM (Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology) will take place at the Hamburg Messe in Germany. SMM is the world's largest and most influential professional maritime exhibition, with this year's event expected to feature over 2,200 exhibitors and approximately 40,000 professional visitors.
As an anchor chain and mooring equipment supplier, we see three key signals worth watching from the information released before the exhibition.
Signal 1: Anchor Chains Remain in Demand in the European Marine Equipment Market
In the SMM 2026 product directory, anchor chains are explicitly listed as a product category – alongside cables, ropes, fenders, and other equipment. Anchor chains continue to hold a stable position in the European marine equipment market.
This year's SMM will debut a Naval Hall for the first time, with more than 50 companies and institutions showcasing naval equipment, surveillance, communications, and underwater technology. 26 national pavilions will participate, two more than the previous edition, with Brazil, Cyprus, India, and Vietnam setting up official national pavilions for the first time.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz serves as the official patron of the exhibition. European maritime technology leaders such as MAN Energy Solutions, ABB, Kongsberg Maritime, Rolls-Royce, Wärtsilä, and Siemens will gather in Hamburg.
Decarbonization, energy efficiency, and digitalization – these themes are redefining the certification standards for marine equipment. Anchor chains remain the same physical product, but what customers demand is no longer just "a chain" – traceable material data, complete certification systems, and technical capability compatible with green vessels are becoming the new entry requirements.
During the exhibition, the Energy Efficiency Hub (Hall A4) will showcase digital optimization, AI-powered energy management, hybrid propulsion, and other technologies. The Maritime Future Summit (September 2) will explore the application of generative AI in ship design and operations. Nineteen startups will present the latest developments in AI, robotics, and autonomous systems.
Signal 2: 46 Chinese Companies Exhibiting – Anchor Chain Manufacturers Cannot Afford to Be Absent
The strong return of Chinese exhibitors is one of the most notable signals of this year's event.
46 Chinese companies have confirmed independent participation, including industry leaders such as China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). In addition, three Chinese national pavilions will be present, covering a total area of 1,500 square meters. The Chinese pavilion, led by the two major shipbuilding giants CSSC and CSIC, occupies over 1,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Yuantong Marine Equipment Service Co., Ltd. (a COSCO SHIPPING subsidiary) will participate for the first time, showcasing digital smart ship spare parts services and its "4A" global service commitment at the COSCO SHIPPING booth (B3.EG.105). The booth will feature a digital scenario where visitors can experience the full process of "label printing – inventory tagging – QR code scanning – spare parts delivery to vessel."
Japanese companies have expanded their booth space by approximately 13% compared to 2024, and the Japanese Pavilion has grown by 22%. The South Korean national pavilion has expanded by about 15%. India is establishing an official national pavilion for the first time, while Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are also planning first-time participation.
Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President of Maritime and Energy Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe, said: "SMM combines the strengths of both regions – Asia as a dynamic growth engine and Europe as a leader in innovation and technology."
Anchor chains are listed as one of the core product categories in the Chinese pavilion. 46 Chinese companies are "going global together" – many of them are our upstream customers. When Chinese shipbuilders and equipment suppliers establish customer relationships in the European market, anchor chain suppliers must keep pace in certification, quality, and service.
Signal 3: Mooring Chain Growth Rate Nearly Three Times That of Anchor Chain
In the first half of 2026, China's shipbuilding completion reached 36.5 million deadweight tons, up 51.2% year-on-year. New orders reached 121 million deadweight tons, up 173.1% year-on-year. Orders on hand reached 363 million deadweight tons, up 54.9% year-on-year.
Shipbuilding orders are booked through 2029 and even 2030. Shipyards are running at full capacity, and demand for anchor chains continues to expand.
But the bigger signal comes from the offshore market. Yasing Anchor Chain's 2026 revenue target for offshore mooring chains is 764 million RMB, up 21.46% year-on-year. Its anchor chain and accessory revenue target is 1.566 billion RMB, up 8.06% year-on-year. Mooring chain growth is nearly three times that of anchor chains.
The global mooring systems market is estimated to reach $1.92 billion in 2026 and grow to $3.65 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.25%. Floating offshore wind is the primary driver – more than 80% of global offshore wind resources are located in deep waters exceeding 60 meters. By 2034, the new market space for floating wind mooring chains is expected to reach 14.3 billion RMB. In comparison, the global anchor chain market was approximately $525 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $986 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 9.41%. Mooring chain growth is faster and more certain.
In the first half of 2026, China's new offshore engineering orders increased by 121.9% year-on-year, accounting for over 80% of the global market share. The offshore market is not "likely" to boom – it is "already booming."
The debut of the Naval Hall and the MS&D International Maritime Security and Defense Conference at SMM also send a clear signal: naval and defense equipment is becoming a new growth area, creating new demand for high-end mooring chains.
Ship anchor chains follow shipbuilding – a "volume" logic. Mooring chains follow offshore engineering – a "quality" logic.
Three Signals, One Conclusion
The three signals from SMM 2026 are clear:
1. Shipbuilding orders are surging – anchor chain demand is rising
2. Asia is going global together – the European market is a new frontier for anchor chain manufacturers
3. Mooring chain growth is nearly three times that of anchor chains – the offshore market is accelerating
These three signals point to the same conclusion: the overall market for anchor chains is expanding, but the competitive landscape is also upgrading.
SMEOCEAN continuously tracks SMM 2026 and global anchor chain industry trends. For discussions on anchor chain and mooring equipment developments at the exhibition, feel free to reach out.
More Links:
What Is Single Point Mooring (SPM) ？
Marintec China 2025: 5 Anchor-Chain Trends to Watch
CFSE 2025 Salmon Expo Qingdao Mooring Chain Guide