Connecting with the Towage Industry at ITS 2026 and Seawork 2026

In the last two months, Lankhorst participated in two of the maritime industry's most important events: the International Tug, Salvage & OSV Convention and Exhibition (ITS) in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Seawork in Southampton, United Kingdom.

Both exhibitions provided valuable opportunities to meet with customers, industry partners, and maritime professionals from across the globe, while showcasing rope technologies designed to address the evolving challenges of modern towage and offshore operations.

Supporting the Future of Towage

Towage operations continue to evolve as vessels become larger, operational demands increase, and safety requirements become more stringent. Operators are under constant pressure to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, extend equipment service life, and maintain the highest safety standards in increasingly demanding environments.

At both ITS and Seawork, Lankhorst highlighted a range of advanced synthetic rope solutions engineered to help operators meet these challenges while delivering superior performance and reliability.

The exhibitions also provided an excellent platform to discuss industry trends, share operational experiences, and better understand the needs of tug operators, port authorities, offshore contractors, and vessel owners.

Showcasing Proven Rope Technologies

Visitors to the Lankhorst stand had the opportunity to explore three main key solutions designed specifically for demanding towage applications:

LANKO®FORCE with DEFENDER® Jacket

Designed for operations where abrasion resistance is critical, LANKO®FORCE with DEFENDER® Jacket combines exceptional strength with outstanding durability.

The DEFENDER® Jacket provides superior protection against wear in high-contact applications, helping to extend rope service life and reduce replacement costs. At the same time, the rope remains lightweight and easy to handle, reducing crew fatigue and improving operational efficiency. Its floating characteristics further contribute to safer towing operations.

LANKO®NECT

Fast, safe, and reliable connections are essential in modern towage operations.

LANKO®NECT enables operators to create lightweight synthetic connections without shackles, significantly simplifying tow configurations while improving handling and operational flexibility. The system allows precise control of breaking load, helping protect both ropes and equipment while enhancing overall safety.

Alongside LANKO®LOOP, these synthetic fiber connection solutions allow configurations to be quickly adapted to the requirements of each operation. Compared with traditional connection methods, they are gentler on ropes, winches, and deck machinery, reducing wear and extending equipment life.

STRONGLINE™

Engineered for demanding towing applications, STRONGLINE™ delivers exceptional strength in a reduced-diameter rope.

Its advanced design provides an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, making handling easier while maintaining the performance required for the toughest operations. Built to resist extreme wear and deliver a long service life, STRONGLINE™ helps operators reduce total operational costs and maximize value over the lifetime of the rope.

Building Relationships Across the Industry

Both ITS and Seawork once again demonstrated the importance of collaboration and innovation within the maritime sector.

For Lankhorst, these events are about more than showcasing products. They provide an opportunity to engage directly with operators, understand emerging challenges, exchange technical knowledge, and develop solutions that continue to support safer, more efficient operations for our customers worldwide.

We would like to thank everyone who visited our stands in Gothenburg and Southampton. The conversations, insights, and feedback shared during both events reinforce our commitment to delivering rope solutions that combine strength, durability, safety, and operational efficiency.

Looking Ahead to SMM 2026

But the exhibition season continues for Lankhorst.

Following successful participation at ITS in Gothenburg and Seawork in Southampton, we are pleased to announce that Lankhorst will also be exhibiting at SMM 2026 in Hamburg, Germany, one of the world's leading international maritime trade fairs.

Bringing together shipowners, operators, shipbuilders, technology providers, and maritime professionals from across the globe, SMM serves as a key platform for discussing the future of the maritime industry and showcasing the latest innovations shaping the sector.

At SMM, Lankhorst will continue the conversations started at ITS and Seawork, highlighting advanced synthetic rope technologies designed to improve safety, durability, operational efficiency, and performance across a wide range of marine applications.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet our specialists, discuss operational challenges, and learn how solutions such as LANKO®FORCE with DEFENDER® Jacket, LANKO®NECT, and STRONGLINE™ help operators meet the demands of today's increasingly complex maritime environment.

We look forward to welcoming customers, partners, and industry professionals to our stand in Hamburg, D-335, and to continuing to support the maritime industry with innovative rope solutions engineered for the toughest applications.

Stay tuned on LinkedIn for further details on our participation at SMM 2026.

If you were unable to attend either exhibition, our team remains available to discuss your operational requirements and help identify the most suitable solution for your application.

To learn more about Lankhorst's complete range of towage and offshore rope solutions, contact our team or explore our product portfolio.