Zenitel at SMM 2026: Connecting with the Maritime Industry

As one of the maritime industry's key international meeting places, SMM brings together shipowners, shipbuilders, system integrators, suppliers and technology providers from around the world.

Meeting Customers and Partners from Across the Maritime Industry

Located at the Norwegian Pavilion, the Zenitel stand welcomed visitors throughout the exhibition. With sales representatives from several European markets together with two Zenitel product managers in Hamburg, the team was able to meet customers and partners from different regions and discuss both ongoing and future projects.

These face-to-face meetings remain an important part of understanding the requirements behind individual projects. Conversations ranged from newbuilds and retrofit opportunities to existing installations and future communication needs, giving both customers and the Zenitel team an opportunity to exchange experiences directly.

SMM also provided an opportunity to meet new industry contacts and start conversations that will continue beyond the exhibition.

Communication Needs Are Continuing to Evolve

Modern vessels depend on an increasing number of connected systems, while shipowners, yards and system integrators must also consider how communication solutions can support safe and efficient operations throughout the vessel's lifecycle.

These requirements formed a natural part of many discussions during SMM 2026.

For Zenitel, the exhibition provided an opportunity to discuss how communication solutions can be adapted to different vessel types, project requirements and existing infrastructure. This includes both communication systems for new vessels and the modernization of installations already in operation.

The presence of both sales and product management at the stand also allowed visitors to discuss requirements from different perspectives, from specific project needs to technology, integration and future development.

Showcasing Zenitel Connect at SMM Hamburg

One of the main solutions presented at SMM 2026 was Zenitel Connect.

Demonstrating the solution at the stand gave visitors an opportunity to see the technology in operation and discuss directly with the Zenitel team how it could be applied to their projects.

Zenitel Connect provides a common platform for onboard communication, designed to bring communication services together within a flexible IP-based architecture. This provides a foundation that can be adapted to different vessel requirements while supporting the transition from traditional communication infrastructure towards increasingly connected maritime systems.

Rather than discussing the solution only through specifications and presentations, the live demonstration allowed conversations to start with the technology itself. Visitors could explore the system, ask questions and discuss how different communication requirements could be addressed within their own vessel or project environment.

With Zenitel product managers available throughout the exhibition, customers and partners could also discuss technical requirements and future developments directly with the people involved in developing the solution.

From Hamburg to the Next Maritime Projects

SMM is ultimately about more than the four days spent at the exhibition. Many of the conversations started or continued in Hamburg relate to projects and requirements that will develop over the months and years ahead.

For Zenitel, this direct dialogue with shipowners, shipyards, system integrators and partners provides valuable insight into how communication requirements are developing across the maritime industry, and where technology needs to evolve alongside them.

Thank you to everyone who visited the Zenitel stand at SMM 2026, shared their experiences and discussed their projects with our team.

We look forward to continuing the conversations started in Hamburg.