MARINE INTERIORS: 'This has never been done before'

Question: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expects the total number of ocean cruise passengers to top 31.5 million globally this year, 106 per cent of the 2019 figure. The cruise industry has obviously recovered. Does this benefit suppliers of ship interiors, as well?

Claus Ulrich Selbach: From giant vessels providing space for thousands of guests to exclusive expedition ships taking discriminating passengers to remote areas, orderbooks in Europe alone list 52 cruise ships deliverable until 2028. Of course, this implies great business prospects for suppliers of ship interiors. After all, it is their design, their furniture and their style that define the “face” of each cruise vessel. The market is highly competitive, so MARINE INTERIORS happens at just the right time – we provide these suppliers with a stage to attract attention.

Q: What specific stimuli will MARINE INTERIORS provide to the industry?

Selbach: This is best reflected in our varied conference programme: For the first time we are offering a dedicated session on ferry interiors. Such a strong focus on one particular subject matter is a first – it has never been done before. And the market is huge: There are 1,800 different routes in Europe alone, most of them being served by several ferries. For many of them, the question of a major interior refit comes up sooner or later. We are giving this topic the attention it deserves, with many top-flight panellists featured at our conference. All conferences are free for trade fair visitors.

Q: What other key topics will the conferences address?

Selbach: Apart from ferries, river cruise ships are a segment where interior design plays a major role, as well: For example, the Hamburg-based firm JOI-Design will manage a related conference session together with two industry associations, IG River Cruise and River Cruise Europe. That is a great fit for River Cruise Day which is organised by Seatrade Europe, our co-located partner fair.

The session with Tal Danai from ArtLink will venture into almost philosophical territory: Together with the Vienna professor Helmut Leder, he will investigate the question whether art and design actually improve the passenger experience, in particular with regard to the expectations of Gen-Z guests.

Q:How strong is the focus on the future at MARINE INTERIORS?

Selbach: Very strong: For example, Meyer Werft will present their idea of what sustainable cruise shipping might look like by the year 2100. Another intriguing proposition has been brought forward by Schiff & Hafen magazine and the supplier association VDMA who jointly called the cruse industry the vanguard of alternative propulsion technology.

Q: MARINE INTERIORS takes place in parallel with Seatrade Europe. Where do the two trade fairs intersect?

Selbach: Holding the two fairs in parallel has a certain charm because it brings together all the movers and shakers of the cruise industry: Cruise operators, designers, yard owners, suppliers and representatives of cruise destinations. This is a rare opportunity to see so many decision-makers from the cruise segment all in one place. We have come up with some really attention-grabbing formats to promote networking. All visitors will have access to both events. This way we can create a perfect mix of exhibitors and conferences.

Q: What makes Hamburg the right location for these events?

Selbach: Hamburg is one of the biggest and most attractive international ports. Globally leading design firms, suppliers, shipowners and yards are based in the immediate vicinity, making Hamburg a ‘cruise capital’. Apart from that, we are an EU member country. For our exhibitors, the Hamburg-based market and the entire European market are within easy reach. Another highlight is the Hamburg Cruise Days which will directly follow Seatrade Europe and MARINE INTERIORS.

Q: Do you see a trend towards more special-interest fairs in general?

Selbach: We are constantly surveying the market. Whenever we see increased interest in one particular area, we explore the pros and cons of a future stand-alone fair. This is what happened in the case of MARINE INTERIORS: Ship interiors have always been part of SMM. When we noticed growing interest in this market in 2017, we doubled the amount of exhibition space dedicated to it. Launching MARINE INTERIORS as a stand-alone trade fair in 2019 was a logical next step.

Q: What are you especially looking forward to?

Selbach: The conference sessions on the MI stage. This is where we will present new topics and entirely new approaches to the opportunities within the ship interiors segment.

Click here to see the full programme.