China-Europe Maritime Summit at SMM 2026
An official event of SMM Hamburg 2026, jointly organized by the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) and DNV, bringing together maritime leaders from China and Europe to exchange insights, strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
The maritime industry is entering a new era. As the decarbonization journey continues, digitalization grows, and artificial intelligence is emerging as a force that points to a new future of smarter shipping and shipbuilding. At the same time, the industry’s focus on efficiency in now moving to encompass cost competitiveness and market resilience more broadly, making closer collaboration between Chinese shipbuilding and European shipping more important than ever.
Bringing together maritime Leaders from China and Europe
Jointly organized by VDR, CANSI and DNV, the Summit will bring together senior executives and decision-makers from across the China-Europe maritime value chain, providing a platform for dialogue, partnership and collaboration to foster innovation and strengthen industry connections.
Why attend
This exclusive event offers an opportunity to:
- Gain insights into the latest developments and future trends shaping the development of China’s shipbuilding industry
- Get a clearer picture of the market trends and future fleet priorities for the European shipping industry
- Explore new opportunities for collaboration between Chinese and European maritime stakeholders
- Engage in high-level dialogue with maritime industry leaders from China and Europe
Agenda
10:00-10:30: Registration & Networking Breakfast
10:30-10:40: Opening & Welcome Remarks
- Mr. Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Chief Executive Officer, DNV
10:40-11:00: Keynote Speeches from Chinese and European Representatives
- Mr. Xu Peng Chairman, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)
- Ms. Gaby Bornheim, Chief Executive Officer, Peter Döhle Schiffahrt; President, German Shipowners’ Association (VDR)
11:00-11:30: Panel Discussion I: Industry Development & Cooperation
- Moderator: Mr. Martin Kröger, Chief Executive Officer, German Shipowners’ Association (VDR)
- Panelists: William Zhou Xuhui, President and Executive Director of Board of Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), Lyu Zhiyong, President of Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), Jens-Michael Arndt, CEO Vogemann Reederei, Wilke Briese, CEO Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co, and Claus Usen Jensen, CTO of Neu Seeschiffart.
11:30-12:00: Panel Discussion II: Technology Innovation & Transition Pathways
- Moderator: Mr. Li Yanqing, Vice Chairman and Secretary General, China Association of the National Shipbuilding (CANSI)
- Panelists: Chen Gang, Chairman of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), Zheng Hehui, Vice President of China Merchants Industry (CMI) Shipyard Group, Helge Bartels, COO Bernhard Schulte Group, Sebastian Ebbing, General Manager BestShip (MPC Company), Jan Øivind Svardal, CEO Grieg / Skarv, and Norbert Kray, Regional Manager Greater China, DNV.
12:00-12:10: Closing Remarks
- Mr. Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President SMM Exhibitions Maritime & Energy
12:10-13:00: Networking Lunch
Attendance is limited and subject to confirmation. Please complete the registration form to express your interest in attending. The organizing team will review registrations and provide further event details in due course.
REGISTER NOW and mark your calendar for the 2nd of September. We would be honored to welcome you to the China-Europe Maritime Summit at SMM 2026 and look forward to your participation in this important industry dialogue.