Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) marked an engaging participation at SMM Hamburg held from 1-4 Sep 2026, strengthening international partnerships and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable maritime innovation.

1. Inauguration of the IRS Booth

IRS Stand was officially inaugurated on Day 1 by Shri Raakesh Natraj, Consul General of India, Hamburg. The inaugural function drew key maritime leaders, city officials, and exhibition organizers, including:

• Dr. Rolf Strittmatter, CEO, Hamburg Invest
• Claus Ulrich Selbach, VP Maritime & Technology Exhibitions, Hamburg Messe und Congress
• Lee Lee Ong, Project Director, Hamburg Invest
• Informa Markets (India) Team, represented by Yogesh Mudras (Managing Director) and Pallavi Mehra

2. Industry Delegations and Strategic Discussions

Throughout the event, IRS booth served as a vibrant hub for industry engagements. IRS was privileged to welcome several prominent global and national maritime figures:

• His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Shri Vijay Kumar, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• Mr. Vivek Merchant, Director, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) and Mr. Rajeev Nayyar

During these visits, the IRS leadership team engaged in insightful discussions centered on the latest advancements in ship classification and the organization's proactive role in driving sustainable maritime innovation.

3. Expanding Global Footprint: New Hamburg Office

In a major milestone reflecting IRS’s growing global influence, our Executive Chairman Mr. Arun Sharma officially announced IRS’s plans to expand its network by opening a new office in Hamburg, Germany. It will support closer engagement with European manufacturers and facilitate their access to the growing Indian maritime and shipbuilding market through IRS’s approval, type approval, certification and compliance services.