Spain has been named partner country of SMM 2000, the Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology International Trade Fair. More than 1,100 exhibitors from 40 countries are expected to present the latest developments from all areas of shipbuilding and marine equipment and technology at the fair, to be held at Hamburg Exhibition Center from September 26 - 30, 2000. The 29 Spanish shipyards, most of which are still state-owned, currently employ 9,150 people. The workforce in the overall Spanish shipbuilding sector, which also includes some 250 marine equipment suppliers, is approximately 50,000. In 1998, Spanish yards completed 86 newbuildings worth 1.05 million euros (US $1,049,000) claiming a market share of 1.7 percent.
