Looking ahead to SMM Hamburg

©Hamburg Messe und Congress

Our Chief Commercial Officer Tony Carter is heading to SMM Hamburg this September. Ahead of the event, we asked him what he’s looking forward to and what attendees can expect from MarineSolar.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about attending SMM Hamburg this year?

A: For me, it’s getting out and talking to people. You can spend all day on Teams, but nothing beats sitting down with shipowners, operators and partners and having a proper conversation. SMM brings the industry together, so it’s a great chance to catch up with existing contacts, make some new ones and show people what we’ve been working on. This year we’ve got something genuinely different to talk about with Test Before You Invest (TBI), and I’m looking forward to seeing people’s reactions.

Q: SMM brings together maritime leaders from around the world. What conversations do you expect to dominate this year's event?

A: Everyone will still be talking about decarbonisation, but I think the conversation has moved on. A couple of years ago it was all about targets and regulations. Now people want practical answers. They want to know what actually works, what it costs and when they'll see a return. Shipowners have enough on their plates. They’re not looking for the next fashionable idea; they’re looking for solutions that make commercial sense.

Q: The maritime sector continues to face significant decarbonisation challenges. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation over the next few years?

A: There isn’t going to be one magic answer. The future is about lots of good ideas working together. Better fuels, smarter energy management, batteries, wind assistance and onboard solar all have a part to play. If every technology can shave a bit off fuel use and emissions, together they make a real difference. That’s how shipping will get where it needs to be.

Q: MarineSolar will be showcasing NanoDeck™ at SMM. For those unfamiliar with the technology, can you explain what makes it different?

A: Quite simply, it was designed for ships. These aren’t solar panels borrowed from rooftops and bolted onto a vessel. NanoDeck™ has been built specifically for the marine environment. It’s modular, tough, easy to install, and designed to keep producing power in harsh conditions. Most importantly, it helps reduce generator load, cut fuel consumption and lower emissions without changing the way a ship operates.

Q: Why should shipowners be looking at onboard solar now rather than waiting?

A: Because the industry isn’t standing still. Fuel costs, environmental regulations and customer expectations are all moving in one direction. The sooner owners start gathering real operational data, the sooner they can make informed decisions about future investment.

Q: As you’ve mentioned, one of the key announcements at this year’s event is the launch of Test Before You Invest. What inspired the initiative?

A: We’ve listened to what shipowners have been telling us. Most like the technology, but they’re understandably cautious about making a big investment without seeing it work on their own ships. So, we thought, why not remove that barrier? Instead of asking customers to take a leap of faith, we’ll help them collect real data from their own vessel. Then they can make a decision based on evidence, not sales brochures.

Q: Is Test Before You Invest just about selling NanoDeck™?

A: Not at all. It’s about changing the way new technology is introduced. Shipping has always been rightly cautious. We believe innovation should be proven before major investment decisions are made. That’s exactly what Test Before You Invest allows customers to do.

Q: What are the main benefits of Test Before You Invest for shipowners and charterers?

A: It takes the risk out of the decision. Instead of spending a lot of money upfront, they can install a pilot system, see how it performs, and measure the results for themselves. At the end of the trial, they’ll know exactly what the technology delivers on their vessels and can decide if they want to roll it out across the fleet. That’s a much better way of making investment decisions.

Q: What would success look like for a shipowner after a Test Before You Invest project?

A: Simple. They’ll have twelve months of operational data from their own vessel, understand exactly how the technology performs, and be able to decide whether wider fleet deployment makes commercial sense. That’s a much stronger position than making a decision based purely on forecasts.

Q: What would you say to organisations that are interested in clean energy technologies but are hesitant to make a significant upfront investment?

A: I’d say they’re right to be cautious. Every investment has to stack up, especially in today’s market. That’s exactly why we’ve launched Test Before You Invest. We don’t expect anyone to buy on promises. We want customers to see the results with their own eyes before making a bigger commitment.

Q: MarineSolar is still a relatively young company. Why should shipowners have confidence in you?

A: Because we’re taking a sensible approach. We’ve built an experienced team, developed technology specifically for shipping, worked with recognised partners, and focused on proving performance rather than making exaggerated claims. Trust is earned, and that’s exactly what we’re setting out to do.

Q: If attendees take away one message after visiting your stand at SMM, what would you like it to be?

A: I hope they leave thinking that we’re practical, knowledgeable and easy to work with. No gimmicks and no exaggerated claims – just practical technology, backed by real data, that can help shipowners save fuel, reduce emissions and make informed investment decisions. Most importantly, I hope they leave feeling that they can trust us, and that we’ve given them a straightforward, low-risk way to see for themselves what onboard solar can deliver.