Nova Scotia’s Ocean Tech & Defence Innovators Set Course for SMM Hamburg 2026

Nova Scotia’s ocean technology and defence sectors are heading to Germany, showcasing innovative solutions, advanced capabilities, and world-class expertise at SMM Hamburg 2026 from September 1-4, 2026.

Invest Nova Scotia is leading a delegation of 13 Nova Scotia companies to SMM Hamburg, one of the world’s leading international maritime trade fairs. The delegation will participate as part of Canada’s Maritime Industries Pavilion in Hall B6 – Booth 141, bringing Nova Scotia’s expertise in defence, maritime intelligence, advanced materials, underwater acoustics, autonomous systems, ocean observation, marine engineering, and digital training to a global audience.

The Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Growth and Development and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, will also attend SMM Hamburg, strengthening connections with international partners and showcasing Nova Scotia’s leadership in the defence and ocean technology sectors.

Held every two years in Hamburg, Germany, SMM brings together the international maritime industry to explore emerging technologies, build partnerships and address the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of shipping, naval operations, and the global maritime economy. For Nova Scotia companies, participating in events like SMM creates valuable opportunities to connect directly with international customers, partners, and decision-makers in one of the world’s most important maritime markets.

Nova Scotia’s companies are developing innovative solutions with applications across commercial maritime, ocean, and defence markets, and SMM Hamburg provides an important platform to put those capabilities in front of the people and organizations who can help take them to new markets,” said Scottina Jackson, Export Development Executive at Invest Nova Scotia.

Trade missions like this are about much more than attending an event. They create opportunities to build relationships, better understand international markets, and develop the partnerships that can support long-term growth. For companies in sectors like ocean technology and defence, those international connections can be especially important as they look to scale, diversify, and become part of global supply chains.”

As companies navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment, diversifying into new markets, and building international connections is more important than ever. SMM Hamburg provides an opportunity for Nova Scotia companies to demonstrate their capabilities, explore new business opportunities, and strengthen their presence in Europe and beyond.

From shipbuilding and sustainment to autonomous systems, ocean technology, defence, digital solutions, and dual-use innovation, Nova Scotia offers a connected environment where companies can collaborate, innovate, and grow.

Meet the Nova Scotia delegation

AML Oceanographic
AML Oceanographic designs and manufactures high-performance oceanographic and hydrographic instrumentation. Its modular, field-swappable sensor technology measures key water parameters, while its Moving Vessel Profiler enables continuous water-column data collection during vessel surveys. Advanced UV biofouling control helps maintain sensor accuracy and reduce maintenance requirements.

DSA Ocean
DSA Ocean is an ocean engineering consultancy specializing in marine hydrodynamics, mooring design, and advanced modelling, also offering marine dynamic analysis software ProteusDS. Its work supports aquaculture, ocean technology marine energy, naval architecture, and defence applications. 

GeoSpectrum Technologies
GeoSpectrum Technologies designs and manufactures advanced underwater acoustic, sonar, and integrated maritime solutions. Its technologies support maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection, environmental monitoring, ocean research, underwater communications, marine mammal detection, and defence and security applications.

GIT Coatings
GIT Coatings develops sustainable, graphene-based hull and propeller coatings that improve vessel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Its biocide-free, hard foul-release technology combines advanced materials with proactive hull management to help shipowners optimize performance and reduce environmental impact.

Global Spatial Technology Solutions (GSTS)
GSTS delivers AI-powered maritime intelligence through its OCIANA® platform. Combining satellite, vessel, environmental, and operational data, its solutions provide real-time insights that enhance maritime safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability for ports, shipping companies, supply chain operators, and government organizations.

Hawboldt Industries
Founded in 1906, Hawboldt Industries designs and manufactures custom marine deck equipment for ocean research, defence, coast guard, offshore energy, and commercial marine sectors. Its capabilities include launch and recovery systems, cranes, winches, davits, windlasses, capstans, hydraulic power units, and custom marine engineering.

Modest Tree
Modest Tree develops configurable interactive 3D training and digital workforce support solutions for marine, defence, and industrial organizations. Its authoring platforms help customers accelerate workforce readiness, preserve technical knowledge, and reduce lifecycle costs through interactive training and digital work instructions that evolve alongside complex assets.

Ocean Sonics
Ocean Sonics develops advanced underwater acoustic technology for ocean science, energy, defence, maritime transportation, aquaculture, and fisheries. Its flagship icListen™ smart digital hydrophone delivers accurate, reliable, high-resolution underwater sound data through compact, easy-to-deploy instruments designed for real-time ocean monitoring.

OceanSync
OceanSync develops ship-based automated weather stations and data infrastructure for real-time ocean observation. Its technology captures high-resolution meteorological, navigational, and vessel-motion data to improve weather forecasting, optimize vessel operations and routes, enhance maritime safety, and support asset protection.

Open Ocean Robotics
Open Ocean Robotics builds solar-powered autonomous surface vehicles that collect real-time ocean data and deliver persistent ocean intelligence. Its DataXplorer™ uncrewed vessels use advanced sensors and AI to support maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring, marine research, offshore operations, and critical infrastructure protection.

REMOTECON
REMOTECON develops intelligent subsea and surface systems for persistent autonomous monitoring, maritime security, and ocean applications. Its technologies combine rechargeable subsea power, edge AI and sensor fusion, and surface connectivity to enable distributed monitoring of ports, critical infrastructure, and offshore environments.  Its subsea platforms are designed for demanding deployments at depths of up to 6,000 metres.

Rockland Scientific
Rockland Scientific develops advanced ocean-sensing technologies for marine research, environmental monitoring, and maritime operations. With decades of expertise in turbulence measurement, its non-acoustic underwater sensing technology supports maritime security, defence, critical infrastructure protection, and underwater domain awareness while also serving scientific and commercial ocean applications. 

Spiri Robotics
Spiri Robotics develops autonomous systems and enabling software for science, industry and government. Its end-to-end solutions address complex challenges in climate change, infrastructure and defence, helping organizations collect data, automate operations and operate effectively in demanding environments.

The delegation will also be supported by key ecosystem partners, including Dalhousie University, The PIER, COVE, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, and Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA), highlighting the collaborative network of industry, research and innovation organizations helping ocean technology companies grow and compete globally.

Connect with us at SMM Hamburg

If you’re attending SMM Hamburg, we invite you to visit the Canada Pavilion in Hall B6 – Booth 141 to meet the Nova Scotia delegation and learn more about the innovative technologies and capabilities being developed in the province.

To connect with the delegation or arrange a meeting, reach out to Scottina “Scottie” Jackson, Export Development Executive for Invest Nova Scotia at scottina.jackson@investnovascotia.ca

We look forward to seeing you in Hamburg and exploring new opportunities to connect Nova Scotia’s ocean technology, maritime, and defence expertise with the world.

This project is being supported by the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, a partnership between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments. The Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy is a collaborative, pan-Atlantic approach which aims to help Atlantic businesses begin exporting, increase their export sales, expand to new markets, and create global partnerships. The strategy was developed jointly by the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Government of Canada.