Oceanology International 2016

The world’s largest marine science and ocean technology event, Oceanology International 2016 (ExCeL London, 15 - 17 March), not only features a record-breaking exhibition (the largest in its 47-year history) and a conference comprising 10 highly topical streams featuring 108 speakers over the three days, but a host of associated events and features. Online registration is open at www.oceanologyinternational.com with free admission to all the show’s component parts.

“It’s going to be a highly stimulating three days, with plenty to interest our wide-ranging audience of end-users who share an interest in and commitment to the technology and science behind global ocean exploration, exploitation and protection,” explains Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of organisers Reed Exhibitions.

“Vessels and dock-side demonstrations; a programme of exciting events in our Trade & Innovation Theatre on the exhibition showfloor; and the South Gallery rooms being used for a growing number of events as well as for our 10-stream conference all play a part. Networking will be very much the order of the day, both on the evening before OI opens with the ever-popular ‘Icebreaker’ for exhibitors; and within the exhibition at the end of the first day allowing business to continue over a relaxed couple of hours until 19:00.

About the features and associated events

“Briggs Marine, CMS-Geotech, emma technologies, Hays Ships, Kongsberg Maritime, NDT Offshore, Norbit Subsea, the Port of London Authority and Teledyne Marine have already confirmed vessels coming to OI 2016; and DWTEK-Tritech; RTSYS, SeaBotix and Seafloor Systems are amongst those staging dockside demonstrations and making use of our seated area for their guests,” he adds. “We are expecting more vessels and more demonstrations to be confirmed in the coming weeks.”

The Trade & Innovation Theatre events include:

• ‘Near & Far Market Trading’ offering new investment, export and partnership opportunities for exhibiting and visiting organisations (15 and 17 March).
• ‘Open Ocean & Coastal Observatories Workshop’ (15 March; 14:00 - 17:00, organised by SLR Consulting).
• ‘Clusters, Collaboration & a Common Blue Voice’ (16 March; 13:00 - 14:30) an event featuring The Maritime Alliance (TMA),  partners in the inaugural Oceanology International North America in San Diego (15-17 February 2017).
• The ‘Meet the Investor’ Seminar (16 March; 10:00 - 12:30 organised by the Oiltech Investment Network), followed by the ‘invitation only’ ‘Meet the Investor Workshop’ (13:00 - 17:00).
• And the OI 2016 New Products Showcase on the afternoons of 16 and 17 March.Programmes and fuller information on all of these events is at www.oceanologyinternational.com/Whats-On/Trade--Innovation-Theatre/

The programme for events in ExCeL’s South Gallery is growing and includes:

• XPRIZE Workshop: Design a Prize – the “Blue Button Challenge” (15 March, afternoon, time tbc).
• ‘Technology Cluster Workshop’ (16 March; 09:30 - 11:30 organised by SLR Consulting and open to all).
• ‘IMCA ROV Workshop’ (16 March; 13:30 - 17:00 – events@ imca-int.com for free registration).
• ALSEAMAR’s conference (with Total) on the SeaExplorer glider with hydrocarbon sensor (17 March; 10:00 - 16:45).
• And the OI 2016 Careers Day on 17 March organised in association with the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). 

“And, of course, there is a growing calendar of events taking place on stands throughout the three days,” adds Jonathan Heastie. “All of these events and features, set against the ‘pillars’ of OI, the exhibition and multi-stream conference,  add up to make OI 2016 an unmissable event for all involved in every aspect of ocean technology and marine science.”

Careers Day

Careers Day is aimed at students, graduates and post graduates seeking future career opportunities in the marine science and technology related fields.

The morning session is hosted by the SUT Young Professionals Committee enabling attending students to hear first-hand accounts from SUT’s young professionals of their journeys from graduation to securing jobs and the exciting ways their work is contributing to the marine industry (registration in advance to Claire.martin@reedexpo.co.uk).

The afternoon session takes the form of the IMarEST Careers Workshop providing an introduction to researching and applying for job opportunities. Spaces are limited and registration in advance to events@imarest.org is recommended.

The pillars of OI 2016

There are Canadian, French, German, Irish, Dutch and US national group stands at OI 2016, as well as a diving pavilion; and individual exhibitors come from 32 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK and the USA. Together they take up over 8,000m2 of stand space making OI 2016 the largest ever held in its 47-year history. In 2014 there were 520+ exhibiting companies and total attendance over the three days of over 8,400 industry professionals.

Conference topics this year are ‘Ocean Observing Systems: Marine technology and services sector role in the Blue Economy’; ‘Positioning & Metrology’; ‘Marine Renewables’; ‘Green Shipping’; ‘What’s next for Ageing Offshore Assets (for the offshore oil and gas industry)’; ‘Monitoring Structural Integrity: Understanding risk and reliability’; ‘Handling Big Data’; ‘Aquaculture’; ‘Hydrography, Geophysics and Geotechnics’; and the Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels Showcase’.

OI 2016 is staged in partnership with the SUT and with The Hydrographic Society UK; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST); the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA); the Marine Technology Society (MTS); and the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) as endorsing organisations.

Further information on all aspects of Oceanology International including visitor registration is available online atwww.oceanologyinternational.com and OITeam@reedexpo.co.uk

Adapted from a press release by David Bizley

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/10022016/oceanology-international-2016/