From May 22 to 24, the bustling port city of Imabari played host to Bari-Ship 2025, Japan’s premier maritime industry event. This year’s exhibition truly lived up to its theme – “Find the Future in Imabari.”
Jonna Tiainen, Senior Specialist, Thermal Design, from The Switch in Lappeenranta, Finland, had a chance to participate in the exhibition. Among the standout moments for her was the strong interest in BEMAC, its partnership with The Switch and the next-generation clean technologies on display.
The market is watching
The BEMAC booth was a major crowd magnet throughout the exhibition. This turnout underlines BEMAC’s strong brand recognition in Japan. Some English-speaking visitors also came specifically with The Switch in mind, already aware of the company’s green technology offering.
“The real buzz, however, came from the 3D mockup of the shaft generator,” Jonna says. The product stirred significant curiosity. “While current small bulk carriers don’t yet require such advanced generators, anticipated investments in green technologies – like air lubrication systems – could make PMM shaft generators viable for even smaller vessels in the near future.”
People, passion and professionalism
Three things left a lasting impression on Jonna. First, the tireless dedication of the BEMAC team. Visitors queued to learn more about the shaft generator, and the BEMAC staff patiently fielded questions – often repeating answers without ever showing fatigue. Second, the sheer volume of attendees, especially at the BEMAC booth. And third, the realization that even a full business cards might not be enough in Japan.
“Mine were all gone halfway through day two,” Jonna exclaims.
Presentation excellence
BEMAC did more than just draw crowds – they told a compelling story. Their presentation of The Switch’s product portfolio was thorough and engaging, clearly articulating the synergy between both companies.
Special recognition goes to Sunao Sato, Jun Nishioka and Yuki Tomoto, who spearheaded the 3D mockup presentation and brought it to life for visitors.
Exhibition highlights
A local news segment featuring Daisuke Nakauchi’s presentation gave The Switch even more visibility, with another report showing the BEMAC booth.
Panama’s Minister of Maritime Affairs also made a surprise visit to the booth, further affirming the global relevance of the BEMAC product portfolio.
A unique Japanese experience
“The atmosphere at Bari-Ship 2025 was unmistakably Japanese – polite, patient and orderly. Visitors respectfully waited for their turn, gave way to others and smiled warmly, setting a tone rarely found in similar European exhibitions,” Jonna says.
A special feature of Bari-Ship is that it is open to the general public on the third day. This allows the local community, many of whom have family members working in the maritime industry, to gain a better understanding of the various aspects of the industry. The goal is to offer a wider audience the opportunity to engage with the future of the Japanese maritime community – and an industry – rooted deeply in the sea.