The 2026 edition of the rebranded Advanced Maritime Technology Expo & Conference (previously Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo & Conference) was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, last week, providing a unique opportunity for shipowners, fleet managers, boat builders and project managers to source the latest solutions set to shape the future of sustainable maritime operations.
“We’ve got 27 battery electric ferries in various stages of design and construction right now,” Shaun Green, president of Aurora Marine Design told AMTI at the show. “So, we’re here to see a mix of customers, clients and vendors that we set up meetings with – it’s just great to be able to catch up with so many of the customers and companies we work with in one place.”
The exhibition
This year’s exhibition once again delivered a steady stream of product launches, including Volvo Penta’s IPS Hybrid propulsion system; a lightweight containerized battery system with 12-year warranty from CALB; the latest applications stemming from Raeon’s proprietary FloLock ultra-durable cell potting and AnyVolt busbar technology; the ES10M marine battery system from Williams Grand Prix Technologies; and the Pascal Powertrain Platform from Pascal Technologies. (See our Day 1 and Day 2 roundups for further news from the show.)
Meanwhile Echandia presented its new Core battery technology, and SEAM was able to share the latest data on how its hybrid systems can improve peak load management and engine load balancing. Watch AMTI‘s interviews with representatives from these companies below.
The conference
Alongside the exhibition, a three-day, three-track (paid-for) conference showcased everything from the latest vessel case studies and expert advice on powertrain specification and integration through to providing unique insights into shore electrification, MASS and automation, as well as an overview of the rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
The conference got off to a great start on Day 1 with a collaborative presentation from AYK Energy, Foreship by RINA and Wärtsilä (above). Delegates learned first-hand about the experience of ferry owner Wasaline, which has recently enlarged its originally designed battery system from 2.2MWh to 12.6MWh on the Aurora Botnia, a 935-passenger ferry.
Another highlight included a panel discussion chaired by the Maritime Battery Forum, which enabled delegates to find out more about the new EU Battery Regulation and its Digital Battery Passport requirements. The discussion included perspectives from a major marine battery manufacturer (Corvus Energy), a shipyard with a specific interest in electrification projects (Damen Research Development and Innovation) and a class society (Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore).
An interesting discussion around how best to integrate methanol-to-power solutions that enable hydrogen adoption was presented by e1 Marine and PowerCell Group. The session presented a deployment-led view of integrated methanol-to-power solutions, combining onboard hydrogen generation and fuel cell technologies. Drawing on recent yacht retrofit projects and multi-megawatt commercial orders, the presenters explored how fully integrated systems are enabling fuel cell adoption for auxiliary and propulsion power without reliance on hydrogen bunkering.
Highlights from the second day of the conference included a fascinating presentation from QuinteQ Energy Storage and Hamburger Hafen & Logistik about the distributed power system at Ukraine’s Port of Odessa and how crucial it is given the current instability in the country. Delegates also enjoyed a very informative session from HD Hyundai Europe R&D Center, which shared the conceptual design of a multi-MW SOFC system for passenger ship applications.
The awards
The winners of the Advanced Maritime Technology International Awards, organized by Advanced Maritime Technology International magazine, were also announced live during a special ceremony at the end of Day 1, with OceanWings, REGENT Craft, EPTechnologies, Meyer Werft, The Switch, Charge Offshore, Elire Maritime and ABB all invited to the stage to pick up their trophies. Read more about the awards and the winners here.
Next year’s Advanced Maritime Technology Expo & Conference will take place in Barcelona for the first time! The dates for your diary are June 16-17, 2027 (Fira de Barcelona)