SNAME Maritime Convention 2025

The 132nd edition of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) annual convention—SNAME Maritime Convention 2025 (SMC 2025)—is scheduled for 29–31 October 2025 at the Hilton Norfolk The Main in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.  This gathering once again brings together naval architects, marine engineers, shipbuilders, equipment suppliers and other professionals from across the maritime industry under the theme: “Technology Transfer – Bringing Global Best Practices to the Maritime Industry.”

What to Expect

SMC 2025 is designed to be a forum for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and practical innovation in maritime and marine technology. As SNAME states, it aims to cover the full lifecycle of marine assets: design, build, manufacture, operate, sustain and recycle.

Specific content areas include:

• Digitalisation, autonomy and AI in shipbuilding and operations.

• Green operations and alternative propulsion solutions—addressing environmental pressures in maritime engineering.

• Reliability, maintenance of marine systems and energy-transition strategies.

• Port, offshore and shipyard manufacturing innovations, including end-of-life and recycling processes.

The programme highlights include several high-profile panel sessions, such as:

• Rebuilding America’s Shipbuilding Power: A Call to Action – key-note session on 30 October.

• Navigating the Cold Frontier: The Future of Icebreaker Design & Construction in North America – 30 October.

• Nuclear Power for Commercial Vessels: Feasibility, Challenges and the Path Forward – 31 October.

Why this matters

For those focused on marine ecology, sustainable operations and maritime-sector decarbonisation, SMC 2025 offers real value:

• The theme emphasises “bringing global best practices”, meaning there is a strong push for cross‐industry innovation and environmental thinking.

• Topics such as alternative fuels, green operations and end-of-life recycling tie directly into the Cleaner Seas mission of protecting oceans and reducing marine industry harm.

• With a global audience, this convention offers access to international case studies and solutions that interface with shipping’s ecological footprint—making it ideal for your website’s coverage, commentary or analysis.

• While engineering-heavy, the links between propulsion, hull design, operational efficiency and ecosystem impact are apparent: innovations in one area often translate to lower emissions, less marine pollution and reduced underwater acoustic/physical impact.

Practical Details

• Dates: 29–31 October 2025 (pre-Convention activities begin Wednesday 29 October; main technical sessions 30-31 October)

• Venue: Hilton Norfolk The Main, 100 E Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

• Registration is open via SNAME’s official page.

• Abstracts for technical papers have been solicited, indicating a robust technical programme.

For Our Audience

If your work or interest intersects with maritime engineering, sustainability, shipping operations, or marine ecosystem protection, SMC 2025 presents a timely opportunity. For our Cleaner Seas audience you might consider:

• Attending, presenting or exhibiting the latest research, innovations or case-studies that reduce marine impact.

• Covering the event via blog posts or video content summarising sessions relevant to ecological impact, green shipping or ship-yard modernization.

• Networking with key stakeholders to identify future collaborations or story-ideas around shipping’s transition and marine health.

Learn more and register: sname.org/sname-maritime-convention-2025
Venue: Hilton Norfolk The Main, Virginia, USA
Dates: 29–31 October 2025