ABOUT THE FAIR
Shipping Technics Logistics (STL) is Germany’s only trade fair dedicated exclusively to inland navigation. Since its inception in 2014, it has evolved into a key meeting point for professionals in the maritime industry.
Every year in September, the fair opens its doors in Kalkar, located on the Lower Rhine. With its direct proximity to the Rhine – Germany’s most important inland waterway – the Messe Kalkar is closely connected to inland shipping. The event is organized by Kernwasser Wunderland Freizeitpark GmbH, a company known not only for operating a popular amusement park, but also for its extensive expertise in trade fair and event management.
What sets STL apart is its clear thematic focus and in-depth coverage of industry trends and innovations. Central topics include technology, logistics, infrastructure, inland waterways, sustainability, and alternative propulsion systems. The fair provides a platform for pioneering solutions – from hydrogen and renewable fuels to developments in engine technology, equipment, maintenance, and installation. It also addresses safety-related topics such as navigation, communication, occupational safety, and insurance.
A distinctive feature of STL is its outdoor exhibition area, which complements the indoor displays with practical demonstrations. Visitors gain hands-on insights into the application of technologies – ranging from advanced machinery and vessel equipment to infrastructure concepts for ports and locks.
Exhibitors primarily come from the mechanical engineering sector and related maritime industries. The audience consists largely of decision-makers, buyers, and industry professionals seeking targeted solutions for the inland navigation sector. This specific focus gives STL a clear industry profile and sets it apart from general industrial trade fairs.
The city of Kalkar also benefits – not only economically through the fair itself, but strategically by positioning itself as a hub of maritime expertise with international reach, particularly in cooperation with the Netherlands.
The Messe Kalkar venue impresses with its convenient accessibility, spacious exhibition halls, and infrastructure tailored to the needs of trade visitors and exhibitors. As such, it provides the ideal setting for a highly specialized event that not only brings the industry together, but also actively shapes the future of inland navigation.
The Shipping Technics Logistics (STL) will take place on 2 days from Tuesday, 22. September to Wednesday, 23. September 2026 in Kalkar.