PALFINGER at SMM 2026: Ready for the Next Chapter at Sea
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How can lifting become more efficient and safer? What will customers need in the years ahead? These were among the key questions shaping conversations at SMM 2026.
A fresh breeze and the occasional rain shower: Hamburg welcomed us in true northern style for SMM 2026. With around 50,000 visitors, SMM brought us together with the maritime industry for four busy days of conversations, knowledge exchange and discussions about the technologies, trends and challenges shaping the future of operations at sea.
Come prepared – in Hamburg and at sea
Anyone heading to Hamburg knows it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella. At sea, being prepared means something else entirely: equipment has to work reliably when conditions get rough, space is limited and every kilogram counts. That makes maritime operations one of the most demanding environments for lifting and handling solutions – and also an important growth area for PALFINGER.
“For us, SMM is a great opportunity to meet customers, partners, and industry experts from across the maritime industry and to discuss future trends. We support the full lifecycle of mission-critical equipment and lifesaving appliances — from the early stages of development with naval architects and commissioning with shipyards to lifetime global service and spare parts availability including upgrades and decommissioning. What makes SMM particularly valuable is the direct exchange with all our customers across the value chain,” explains Klaus Schreiber, VP Sales & Service Marine and Special Solutions.
From a customer requirement to 26 meters of outreach
One of the products we talked about most in Hamburg was the newest member of the PFM crane family, the PFM 1200. And there is a very concrete story behind it.
Service vessels and workboats are getting larger, particularly in aquaculture. That means cranes need to reach further and lift more – without becoming heavier. Those requirements led directly to the development of the PFM 1200.
Reaching more than 26 meters, the crane provides 4.8 meters of additional outreach while reducing overall weight. At the same time, it can be integrated into existing vessel structures without extensive modifications. “With the PFM 1200, we are closing a gap in our portfolio and providing customers with exactly the combination of outreach, lifting performance and durability they need today,” adds Klaus Schreiber.
The PFM 1200 is part of the continued expansion of the PFM range. At SMM, visitors got an early preview at the upcoming PFM 3700 and PFM 4800 – the next generation of the proven PFM 3500 and PFM 4500.
More than one crane to talk about
Of course, the PFM range wasn’t the only reason to stop by the PALFINGER booth. The PK 25.001 M foldable knuckle boom crane, first launched in 2024, was back on display and once again attracted plenty of attention. Visitors could get up close to the crane and talk directly with our experts about its applications and performance.
And because there is much more to PALFINGER at sea than cranes, our lifesaving portfolio was part of the story too. A scale model of the FRSQ 850 fast rescue boat together with a hydraulic A-frame davit gave visitors a closer look at another side of our maritime portfolio.
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“We develop solutions based on the challenges our customers face every day. That's why we're continuously enhancing our portfolio for the demanding offshore industries. Whether it's our fully electric jib crane for oil and gas, our PFM range for aquaculture activities, or our AHC range for complex offshore operations, our focus is always the same: delivering safe, reliable solutions that support our customers in their everyday work,” says Jarle Sørstrønen, Product Line Leader Marine Solutions at PALFINGER.
After four days at SMM, the rain jackets went back into the suitcases, together with plenty of notes, ideas and new contacts. Decarbonization and alternative fuels, digitalization and AI, maritime security and smart vessel technologies were among the topics shaping discussions in Hamburg – creating new requirements for equipment on board. For us, that means turning what we heard in Hamburg into the next innovative solutions for our customers.
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Pictures: Kirill Brusilovsky