Study trip to SMM: 130 students experienced a world of maritime opportunities

Last week, around 130 students from DTU, Copenhagen School of Marine Engineering (Maskinmesterskolen København), SIMAC, MARTEC, ITU, SDU, and Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering embarked on a journey to the world’s leading maritime trade fair, SMM, in Hamburg. The trip, organized by ShippingLab in collaboration with Danish Maritime and Danish Shipping, and supported by Danish Export, offered the students a unique opportunity to experience the maritime industry up close.

Expectations were high even before the buses left for Hamburg. Christian Westerdahl, an engineering student from DTU, was one of the excited participants:

“I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of new people, as well as gaining insights into how the maritime industry adapts technological advances into their products. I also look forward to meeting the engineers and researchers driving the changes within these companies – as I one day hopefully will find myself in the same position.”

For Christian, the trip was a chance to expand his network and gain deeper insight into the industry he’s already involved in. Christian has a student job at Danelec, which develops products for maritime data collection and ship performance monitoring – a connection he originally made through ShippingLab. And after visiting SMM, Christian confirmed that the trip had indeed lived up to his expectations.

Exploring the future of maritime technology

Thursday was spent at the gigantic fair, where students explored some of the newest technologies and most innovative companies in the maritime world. At SMM, it wasn’t just about experiencing technology – the students also had the chance to speak with companies about career opportunities, gaining valuable insight into the many jobs awaiting them in the maritime sector, not least with companies involved in ShippingLab’s technical projects, including the innovation fund-supported SLGreen project.

Danish maritime companies were strongly represented at the fair, both within the Danish pavilion, where students could meet companies such as Electronic Fueltec, G&O Group, Ballard, OSK Design, and FORCE Technology, and outside the Danish pavilion, with companies like Hempel and MAN Energy Solutions.

The students listened to presentations from Magnus Gary of ShippingLab, Jenny N. Braat of Danish Maritime, Angelika Rasmussen of Danish Shipping, Morten Vejlgaard-Laursen of MAN Energy Solutions, and Christian Vinther of Ballard.

Visit to Hapag-Lloyd and boat trip on the Elbe

Friday’s program was equally exciting, starting with a visit to Hapag-Lloyd’s headquarters in Hamburg, one of the world’s largest shipping companies. Here, the students got a glimpse into the advanced technology that powers the company’s operations, with an interesting behind-the-scenes look at one of the global shipping giants. Presentations from MMG – Mecklenburger Metalguss, RINA and SERTICA provided further food for thought, inspiring deeper reflections on how innovation is shaping the future of the maritime industry.

The day ended with a relaxing experience on the water. The entire group boarded the Fantasia for a boat trip along the Elbe, giving the students a view of Hamburg’s bustling maritime activities from the water. With the fresh sea breeze on their faces and the harbor life buzzing around them, the students had time to reflect on all they had learned and experienced.

Five happy students from Copenhagen School of Marine Engineering, Rasmus Rylland Nielsen, Niko Pojan Pedersen, August Knudsen, Kasper Møller Nielsen, and Hassan Yuusufi, reflect on the study trip while enjoying the sun and wind aboard the Fantasia. All five agreed that the experience was one they wouldn’t have missed.

A success worth repeating

After two eventful days, the buses set off back to Denmark, with the students returning home filled with new knowledge and inspiration. Many had gained a valuable insight into how their technical skills can be applied in the maritime world and a renewed interest in pursuing a maritime career.

ShippingLab looks forward to repeating the success in collaboration with Danish maritime and Danish Shipping when SMM returns in two years.

The trip was made possible through a generous donation from DS Norden.